Look Up

Redwood Sky - La Honda, CA

You're heads down, working hard, no stopping to 'smell the roses'.  Busy, busy all the time focused on getting ahead at work, trying to save for the college fund and for retirement.  Go, go, go -  run, run, run.  If you stop, you're a 'goner' and you'll sleep when you're dead right?

Seriously people, this is not sustainable - for you, for you family or for the environment around you.  And I know that you know it so we really don't need to go there now do we?  But, I would like to ask the simple question: what can you do about it for just yourself? (at the very least)

I've been looking at Google Earth pictures of our World recently - it is amazing what it available for us to See now.  You can see images pictures of people walking on a beach in Australia from a satellite shot on your iPad.  However, I realized that it had me looking down a lot - so I decided to Look Up.

I have found that there is a lot to be learned from looking at the sky.  The tops of trees swaying in the breeze, clouds traveling by, birds on the wing, the moon and planets in rotation and the conscious Universe expanding constantly beyond our view (and minds).  But more importantly, it makes you slow down.  There is just no way to Look Up without pausing for at least a few moments (unless you want to fall down)!

I suggest the following exercise for those of you having difficulty with your rate of speed of life - just look up once per day.  Whether it be when you're getting a cup of coffee, taking your lunch break or getting home from one of those busy, busy days at work - just Look Up, breathe and pause for a moment.  It is a nice view where you are right now, isn't it?  :)

All the Best,
Whitney
© 2011 Whitney Merrill All Rights Reserved

"I have seen slower people than I am--and more deliberate...and even quieter, and more listless, and lazier people than I am. But they were dead." - Mark Twain

Every Moment

Imagine what your life would be like if you were present to the fact that Every Moment was precious, sweet and wonderful.  

 

Where you felt like you were truly experiencing the world around you each day as you woke up, looking forward to new experiences and opportunities (including chocolate chip muffins).

Where every time the horses came by your backyard fence that you wanted to feed them carrots and say 'Hi Horsies!!' at the top of your lungs (no holding back at all).

Where you sometimes inspired, cajoled and persistently 'nudged' those around you to play, to laugh or to run along the beach (just because you could).

Where every tide pool was a magical world filled with yet unfound treasures, all waiting for you to notice them and wonder at their beauty (and give them funny names like Cashmools).

Just imagine what that would be like for you...now that you're all grown up.

(an Energetic Picture of you could be inserted right here)

I suggest that you give it a try (again), if just for one moment.  And remember - you are Wonder, you are Joy and you are Love - Right Now.

All the Best,
Whitney
© 2011 Whitney Merrill All Rights Reserved

"At the center of your being you have your answer; you know who you are any you know what you want." - Lao-Tzu

LOA for Today: True Power

The Pantheon - Rome, Italy picture by Whitney Merrill (2011) Most rarely align with their true power, because it seems illogical to them that there is power in relaxation, in letting go, or in love or joy or bliss. Most people do not understand that their true power lies in releasing resistance—which is the only obstacle to their true power. Most people do not expect their path to great abundance to be one of ease and of joy. They have been taught that struggle and hardship and sacrifice are requirements that must be met before the reward of great abundance can be realized. Most do not understand that the very struggle they deliberately involve themselves in, in their quest for success and advantage, actually works against them. There are so many things that you have been taught to believe that are counter to the powerful Laws of the Universe that it is difficult for you to think your way out. And that is the reason that we present this path of much less resistance. We want you to breathe rather than try, to relax rather than offer effort, to smile rather thanstruggle, to be rather than do. For your true power is experienced only from inside the Vortex. - Abraham Excerpted from the Getting into the Vortex Guided Meditation Abraham-Hicks Law of Attraction

Blast Off, Go!

San Francisco Giants Ballpark

The excitement of a 3 year old prior to a new event (in this case his first baseball game) is something of pure magic, wonder and joy.  Albeit slightly exhausting, being around this energy is truly uplifting.  :)

It also had me remember those 'new times' that I had as a child, constantly creating in a state of bliss.  As an adult, I have seen that many people tend to forget that this is our natural state of being.  We have learned or been taught that life is repetitive, boring or 'not fun'.  Well, this can be unlearned too.

Try going to something 'new' with a toddler or just going along with a friend that is passionate and loves what they are doing.  If they want to 'ride on your shoulders' or just ask for you to join in, try saying 'Yes!' instead of 'No.'  And I suggest smiling for the pictures too - you never know how happy you might look. :)

All the Best,
Whitney
© 2011 All Rights Reserved, Whitney Merrill


"When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be."
 - Lao-Tzu (Tao Teh Ching)

Running on the Coast: HMB International Marathon

by Whitney Merrill

Pillar Point Harbor, the starting point of the Half Moon Bay International Marathon. Photos: Whitney Merrill.

September 2011— 
It’s 5 p.m. on a Tuesday afternoon on Purissima Street in downtown Half Moon Bay, and Amy Rhodes and Dr. Humphrey Lu are stretching out in front of Lu’s pediatrics office, preparing for their weekly coastal run together. Normally the talk would involve the weather, and catching up on the news, but with the Half Moon Bay International Marathon just weeks away the focus is on the upcoming race and their preparation for it.

Rhodes says, “We met each other through Team in Training and found out that we run at the same pace. When I brought my kids for their doctor’s appointment with Dr. Lu, we ended up talking as much about running as the kids, so we decided — fewer kids’ appointments, more running appointments. Having a running partner really helps; when you make a commitment to run with someone else you’re more likely to keep it.”

Lu says, “For the marathon, I’m doing the 5K, supporting Amy, and prepping for theSan Jose Rock ’n’ Roll half-marathon the week following. The last five to six miles are extremely tough so it’s really nice to have someone cheer you on. I could talk to you about running a long time. I know it’s important to exercise but I didn’t really start to enjoy it until I started  Team in Training
for a marathon — it changed my life. I love the discipline, bonding with people on the team, suffering together! It really empowers you to finish a marathon; it makes you feel that you can do anything.”

Amy Rhodes and Dr. Humphrey Lu in training on the California Coastal Trail at the end of Kelly Street, Half Moon Bay.

There are four options to participate in the Half Moon Bay event: full marathon, half-marathon, 10K event, and 5K family fun run, which has no entry fee. The marathon starts from Pillar Point Harbor and heads north along the harbor out to Mavericks around Foo Rock, up the bluff and out to and around the Montara lighthouse before returning back to the harbor. It then continues south along the coastal trail with the 5K and 10K turnarounds at Miramar and Dunes beaches, respectively. The full marathon continues on around the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay before returning back to the finish line at Pillar Point Harbor.

Lu and Rhodes head out for their training run of eight miles by turning down Kelly Street and heading out on the California Coastal Trail along the bluffs of Poplar Beach, where they enter the southern leg of the marathon. The full marathon will be USA Track & Field-certified, and will therefore be recognized by the Boston Marathon and other events which require qualification on a certified course. The entire marathon follows the coastline, allowing the runners to experience beautiful views. It is also run during our wonderful fall coastal weather season, virtually guaranteeing sun combined with ideal running temperatures in the 50s and 60s. Sam’s Chowder House is the founding sponsor and it will have the ChowderMobile at the finish line area.

This year the marathon is going green and working with the Council for Responsible Sport to seek gold certification. Included in the green plan are the following suggestions that runners and spectators can follow:

• BYOB: Bringing your own water bottle will greatly reduce the number of paper cups used out on the course. Each aid station along the course will feature a BYOB station with pitchers of water to refill your bottle.

Map showing northern turn-around at Point Montara Lighthouse in Montara and the southern turn-around at the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay. Map and further details can be found at http://halfmoonbayim.org/course/.

• Recycle: The goal is to have less than one pound of landfill waste per athlete. To make this happen, the race will provide recycling bins for bottles, cans, plastic and cardboard — so please use them!

• Carpool: If you have friends who are running the race, please share a ride. You can meet new runners by signing up for Pickup Pal on the marathon’s website.

Rhodes and Lu continue along the California Coastal Trail to the Ritz for their final training loop. From up on the trail you can hear the seagulls, smell the sea breezes and see the surfers riding the waves below. It is truly a wonderful place to run, and to be inspired at the same time. Lu sums it up well, saying, “The great part about running on the coast is that: 1) The weather is much cooler and more ideal than over the hill, 2) You can’t beat running on the coastal trail, especially running on the bluff and looking out over the ocean, 3) It’s nice to see people you know and to feel that you’re part of the community. … I think it’s great to see your doctor running — not just having him tell you to exercise but actually doing it. You have to lead by example.”

Road along Miramar Beach part of the marathon route.

The marathon comes to the coast on Sept. 25, 2011; the full marathon starts at 7 a.m. Hope to see you there!

Coastviews Magazine Article Link

The Starfish Journey

Cape Cod Starfish - Eastham, MA

I returned to writing after what seemed like a short break for traveling and found that over three months had passed.  Like a Vision Quest, a Walkabout or even a Sabbatical, I define a Starfish Journey as an adventure where you take a a significant amount of time to expand your consciousness and spread yourself out before returning home to your new found center.  One of the differences of a Starfish Journey is that it is a water journey, requiring that you don't venture too far onto land and away from your tide pool of spiritual nourishment.

My journey took me to several countries and oceanside locales, some that I had visited before and some that were new. Capetown, Las Vegas, Barcelona, Tunisa, Rome, Florence, Cannes & Cape Cod - some were warm and inviting and some brought back memories of fear and loss.  Visiting them all in this lifetime in a compressed period of time via airplanes, ships and cars was my expansion.  Coming back to the tide pools of my youth on Cape Cod was my rejuvenation.  Experiencing it all together with my wife & son in love, joy and happiness was my centering.

What I also re-learned for myself is that no matter how far we go away, we always return in some way.  Whether it be external or internal experiences, life is more like a circle or a spiral than a straight line.  However, It is the journeying outward that can assist us in orienting to the center of our personal universe.  Like an astral body that is drawn back down to earth by gravity each time, sometimes you have to take the leap to feel the pull.

I encourage you all to try a Starfish Journey for your next expansion adventure - I try and take one every several years.  It does not necessarily have to be far ranging or diverse - time, water, open eyes and an open heart are all that is required.  Just remember to come back to your tidepool! :)

All the Best,
Whitney
© 2011 All Rights Reserved, Whitney Merrill

"Wherever you go, there you are." - Anonymous (or The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai, 1984)

Summer Cover

I had one of my Half Moon Bay pictures featured on the cover of Coastviews Magazine this month - very psyched! Hope that you're enjoying your summer as much as we are! :)

All the Best,
Whitney

© 2011 All rights reserved, Whitney Merrill