tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4846032919663939322024-03-13T08:52:05.797-07:00Stacy's ReflectionsThe personal reflections of Stacy Mizrahi, finding freedom from a life of anxiety and depressionStacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-11751445581275092362024-03-12T07:45:00.001-07:002024-03-12T07:50:02.787-07:00Happy Birthday to my Dearest Wife<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg186FBrcD5eBIEAvte_4pJACs2BN4X9pekks5G4_V47VC5pnS3w_5hENmS8aYqhUrFJy2wpaclPB7xVD9IKGZbXXeFaDQACorgvyrZiuEnkAt2UHgXwc4475uqJUGCiT01R_yeOw2D8AF_VUvdUoaWnee7YAMsO6kdIdnFh9DwBgab7PdK_0ghFd2PCky/s4032/IMG_1544%5B1%5D.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stacy Mizrahi" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg186FBrcD5eBIEAvte_4pJACs2BN4X9pekks5G4_V47VC5pnS3w_5hENmS8aYqhUrFJy2wpaclPB7xVD9IKGZbXXeFaDQACorgvyrZiuEnkAt2UHgXwc4475uqJUGCiT01R_yeOw2D8AF_VUvdUoaWnee7YAMsO6kdIdnFh9DwBgab7PdK_0ghFd2PCky/w400-h300/IMG_1544%5B1%5D.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>We did a bit of celebrating in Catonsville at the Catonsville Gormet. Heather and Perry joined us to usher in Pam’s birthday. Great seafood! Also, crazy to see how much Meghan looks like Pam when they sit side-by-side. </p>Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-86307198967059340362023-06-05T14:10:00.001-07:002024-03-12T07:58:25.424-07:00New meditative space<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vFtLeozU5_WQs6fOnPe68soDJ9GJ-FG3x2o-FuxH74ekallTxecJ8isRn6IsFVyuCwPOGbKphOwEeSnCx8jmBsfLZa_GLmI8qkmJrzmRNa5sSyIJ4gb4JZslBOdId4yNb7riROBPdaeJ_mJRRa1zwqe5Fv5vZS9svKUJVBy-5DdjNKIHAKWonMg6LxJJ/s3088/IMG_4404%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="stacy mizrahi" border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vFtLeozU5_WQs6fOnPe68soDJ9GJ-FG3x2o-FuxH74ekallTxecJ8isRn6IsFVyuCwPOGbKphOwEeSnCx8jmBsfLZa_GLmI8qkmJrzmRNa5sSyIJ4gb4JZslBOdId4yNb7riROBPdaeJ_mJRRa1zwqe5Fv5vZS9svKUJVBy-5DdjNKIHAKWonMg6LxJJ/w240-h320/IMG_4404%5B1%5D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Just completed my new office and enjoying the digs! Complete with LED lighting and window facing desk. It will make a fantastic work location and meditative space. </p>Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-63575774717631116262023-01-30T08:46:00.002-08:002023-01-30T08:46:24.816-08:00Practice Makes Perfect<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9U8CwW-PqWaVTcio4nDNICWVNhubeWz_GiqzxPqqvoWJ_lw9jxdhDXQoSrwQRkt78umcZB9EGbioIoJQ65OLbH9acY9MW3V3FvQHNYF40Dz9plX97ae3WSFk9YpdGs-wCkLtae6zLRtibb4WNbb4GH_m5oAAoYCSjbi-J3quASnJIrw9W5xTrsXPfw/s3648/IMGP0331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="stacy mizrahi" border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9U8CwW-PqWaVTcio4nDNICWVNhubeWz_GiqzxPqqvoWJ_lw9jxdhDXQoSrwQRkt78umcZB9EGbioIoJQ65OLbH9acY9MW3V3FvQHNYF40Dz9plX97ae3WSFk9YpdGs-wCkLtae6zLRtibb4WNbb4GH_m5oAAoYCSjbi-J3quASnJIrw9W5xTrsXPfw/w320-h240/IMGP0331.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p>There is an old expression that "practice makes perfect". One thing that I have realized over the years is that this applies to ones own sense of spirituality. I tend to think of Spirituality in the Carl Jung sense, that it is a journey of the self - a quest that requires path of discovery and hard work. The trick is to knowing what path to take - what should one spend time working on to discover one's self? This is where Jung tells us that the discovery is our own that we have to do the heavy lifting and exertion. The discovery happens when we go through the exercise of working on ourselves. And this is where practice makes perfect. I have to commit to being consistent on working on being a better person. I'll find out who I really am when the work is done. <p></p>Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-12848214630454089262022-11-01T09:01:00.003-07:002022-11-01T09:10:11.401-07:00Great Fall Weather for Apple Picking
<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgIv4o-lelidAVC3XdQZE3VnLLgTMGTshQfZ8ZnkqrU3Oda3NMlUrtp5KMa35qSPoHNW8UXc3q-zQ0L2qlF_flOlloPGK1zj-iGuXzn2xX4SGiY9Z5XL4mv7VKMGmlxjFcCsqsddky5pjV7XwHK41eBTWfELS3h2B9ha1_JT0_seEMq1o9yJm-LXPag/s1080/stacy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgIv4o-lelidAVC3XdQZE3VnLLgTMGTshQfZ8ZnkqrU3Oda3NMlUrtp5KMa35qSPoHNW8UXc3q-zQ0L2qlF_flOlloPGK1zj-iGuXzn2xX4SGiY9Z5XL4mv7VKMGmlxjFcCsqsddky5pjV7XwHK41eBTWfELS3h2B9ha1_JT0_seEMq1o9yJm-LXPag/s320/stacy.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>We did our annual apple picking at Larriland Farm. Its always an excuse for us to clown around! Fall is my favorite time of year. <br /><p></p>Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-64486609413700794902022-09-16T09:19:00.006-07:002022-09-16T09:24:00.973-07:00Some pics from our July hike up Swallow FallsA collection of pictures from our hike to Swallow Falls. I had no intention of going up but the daughter was feeling adventurous! <a href="https://stacy3583.wixsite.com/mysite/post/the-summer-climb-up-swallow-falls">https://stacy3583.wixsite.com/mysite/post/the-summer-climb-up-swallow-falls</a><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06COq2LdKOdZhThsfMlpc-PUJdGPM8LUljTUJSplkRQRyMFuHVG4ECLrR8Rlv8as7xrg0WQ8Aed2dC4ziQvQgGJbh-LwhM7QI4midIF6VdVPPn2gSFt5qVXaSHshyQU7Fnr3ektWNv4LfobijwfdfqemhXKv49HmyQSjSXri-DrZbD5oub1ooba9eqA/s4032/IMG_2750%5B1%5D.JPEG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Stacy Mizrahi" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06COq2LdKOdZhThsfMlpc-PUJdGPM8LUljTUJSplkRQRyMFuHVG4ECLrR8Rlv8as7xrg0WQ8Aed2dC4ziQvQgGJbh-LwhM7QI4midIF6VdVPPn2gSFt5qVXaSHshyQU7Fnr3ektWNv4LfobijwfdfqemhXKv49HmyQSjSXri-DrZbD5oub1ooba9eqA/w320-h240/IMG_2750%5B1%5D.JPEG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06COq2LdKOdZhThsfMlpc-PUJdGPM8LUljTUJSplkRQRyMFuHVG4ECLrR8Rlv8as7xrg0WQ8Aed2dC4ziQvQgGJbh-LwhM7QI4midIF6VdVPPn2gSFt5qVXaSHshyQU7Fnr3ektWNv4LfobijwfdfqemhXKv49HmyQSjSXri-DrZbD5oub1ooba9eqA/s4032/IMG_2750%5B1%5D.JPEG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a></div></div>Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-61382175117601621272022-08-25T14:27:00.002-07:002022-08-25T14:32:00.521-07:00Fun at Duran Duran concert<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqA3yBgK3WZ7rp9CZvhNcZUXwcN5Ptq0oKacAJ9Ffh1Atse0s4qm8F6dAjbX3FVwRuGjrw-XgPxfmXuhfgy6v8oSUXtvSxOuJdKzJIf0TlsQVnjj0A_bR4p8bFVT8fdI45Q7EShAee3-VgPfcG7Zeo6OCl8GyaTXrlKn2b1_wbp9CY45zyi-kflGO3w/s3088/IMG_1983.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stacy Mizrahi" border="0" data-original-height="2320" data-original-width="3088" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqA3yBgK3WZ7rp9CZvhNcZUXwcN5Ptq0oKacAJ9Ffh1Atse0s4qm8F6dAjbX3FVwRuGjrw-XgPxfmXuhfgy6v8oSUXtvSxOuJdKzJIf0TlsQVnjj0A_bR4p8bFVT8fdI45Q7EShAee3-VgPfcG7Zeo6OCl8GyaTXrlKn2b1_wbp9CY45zyi-kflGO3w/w320-h240/IMG_1983.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>We had a blast at the Duran Duran convert which was at the Merriweather Post Pavilion. The biggest surprise may have been the opening act, which was Nile Rodgers and the Chic. Talk about an amazing performance, they easily outshined Duran Duran. </p><p><br /></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="zxx"><a href="https://t.co/i9rU42f2WF">pic.twitter.com/i9rU42f2WF</a></p>— Stacy Mizrahi (@MizrahiStacy) <a href="https://twitter.com/MizrahiStacy/status/1562263591595687936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/Pq2cyhBrty">pic.twitter.com/Pq2cyhBrty</a></p>— Stacy Mizrahi (@MizrahiStacy) <a href="https://twitter.com/MizrahiStacy/status/1562270080674693120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-51017445241170340412022-07-03T10:26:00.001-07:002022-07-03T10:26:14.598-07:00Chilling out on the 4th weekend<p><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1-G9_kENeQ0bbuGeHaVf4mPdxP8FcYwaS" alt="Stacy Mizrahi " width="300" height="300" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"></p><p>We are chilling out in Deep Creek for the 4th of July weekend. Nice weather so far with zero stress. I like chilling on the couch but I have a sense that this will be the last time I’m this chill for a while. </p>Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-3828262562029162662022-06-14T05:18:00.002-07:002022-06-14T06:41:12.307-07:00As my daughter says - Daddy you are OLD!<p><img alt="Stacy Mizrahi" height="300" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1sjkfciz-x-dpgeR-OKjNvAl76pmrGoTo" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%;" width="300" /></p><p>Someone help that old geezer with the candles, he might hurt himself!</p>Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-79563440993602936202022-05-28T18:38:00.007-07:002022-05-28T18:38:58.731-07:00Stacy Mizrahi and Letting Go of the Self<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8vbnAnBdOZc-X7YO0M5cPD0k4sZ8HMX3logjIFby33hFCvaaOXSx5dAN-p1dJL34AZ4ksj_5a3LfSksH3Hrw8La2XiAmPessmzRJ--T5HqNh1CNuWL0icsLyCuQHLYBQQ-BBJ58kG5ivtaWMezKLljwc1MwrbXV8-CKV6sN9p0zkhEqvmpEOo6fzsg/s640/IMG_1351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="stacy mizrahi" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8vbnAnBdOZc-X7YO0M5cPD0k4sZ8HMX3logjIFby33hFCvaaOXSx5dAN-p1dJL34AZ4ksj_5a3LfSksH3Hrw8La2XiAmPessmzRJ--T5HqNh1CNuWL0icsLyCuQHLYBQQ-BBJ58kG5ivtaWMezKLljwc1MwrbXV8-CKV6sN9p0zkhEqvmpEOo6fzsg/w240-h320/IMG_1351.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Recently I've been feeling my powerlessness and recognize that there isn't much I can really do about things that are 100% outside of my control. I'm coming to grips with the fact that a huge portion of my character is reactionary and wants to help in any way possible. Until recently, I've never questioned why. But one day I had someone ask, "Are you doing that for him or are you doing that for you?"<div><br /></div><div>That was a pivotal moment where I had to stop planning things and start reflecting on intention. Even if my intentions were genuinely out of compassion, trying to think out the "why" was not an easy answer. There are some situations where I feel compelled to do what I can. I want to be a good father, a good son and a good person. But is my compulsion to do good things done out of a sense of stoic giving back or am I trying to tick off boxes in the righteous living checklist? It sounds comical but intentions do reveal a lot! I have to confess that I wasn't quick to an answer. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes what feels like duty and selflessness is often window-dressing for indulgence. I'll often put myself "out there" to try to help out others and catch myself going through mental gymnastics of finding some grace in the actions I'm doing. Hence, my motivations are actually for a feeling of accomplishment. Other times I have no pretenses of anything other than getting something done for the other person - true altruism. Then there is a murky area where I might be "playing the part" - doing something I think I should be doing because that is what is expected of me. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the end I have decided that sometimes its best to lean in on the serenity prayer. Sometimes I have to accept the things I cannot change and accept the things I can. I have to recognize when things are out of my control and that all the honest intention in the world won't make things better. I sometimes have to accept that even my best intentions likely won't change the course of events or improve any outcome. Instead, I have to invite the serenity in and know when my presence won't measurably improve anything. I have to be strong and learn to let go. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0Ellicott City, MD 21042, USA39.2590567 -76.895155110.948822863821157 -112.0514051 67.569290536178841 -41.7389051tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-537263805638169622022-05-08T06:57:00.001-07:002022-05-08T06:57:11.400-07:00
Happy Mothers Day<p><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1erkuiupgqJ-BFP_GUZFgUslEpqhqH2FD" alt="Stacy Mizrahi " width="300" height="300" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"></p><p>Happy Mother’s Day! We love the mom of the house and we send our love to the Grandma. </p>Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-24509031048489856782021-12-15T08:22:00.002-08:002021-12-15T19:26:15.720-08:00Merry Christmas<p> Merry Christmas! It's been a crazy year, and I'm happy to have gotten through it. Looking forward to continued growth and strength. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIeuLZL2aoHxzukFhTnVM1NYi-bdesCN9AYdPpKte_5PHQVeZG8_iGF8hsnPBzrXKllpPqmP0nEJKOwfxYEDHwnhoqxZfw11YOVhMcuL5viKrRbwW9L_iGUWFVFxQrtWEcbdYmVmNy8xFJJ7gl1jVA17viU-jsJx4zTOr_wf3LqCVaIVc5F46V5PxJLQ=s1355" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="stacy mizrahi" border="0" data-original-height="1355" data-original-width="1340" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIeuLZL2aoHxzukFhTnVM1NYi-bdesCN9AYdPpKte_5PHQVeZG8_iGF8hsnPBzrXKllpPqmP0nEJKOwfxYEDHwnhoqxZfw11YOVhMcuL5viKrRbwW9L_iGUWFVFxQrtWEcbdYmVmNy8xFJJ7gl1jVA17viU-jsJx4zTOr_wf3LqCVaIVc5F46V5PxJLQ=w316-h320" width="316" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-78054949532630892422021-04-07T05:27:00.002-07:002021-04-08T10:18:45.155-07:00Morning viewIt is spring time and this is the view from my deck. Every day is a blessing and I must take note of my surroundings to keep that reminder. <div><img width="100%" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1RuOOpUs5PFPZynCsPUxm7akLwfyQc4X9"></div>Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0Ellicott City, MD, USA39.2673283 -76.798306710.957094463821157 -111.9545567 67.577562136178841 -41.6420567tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-10489480116126789612021-03-12T09:03:00.001-08:002021-03-12T09:03:12.601-08:00Self-Fragility and the Art of Accepting Pain<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U5ExKFjjLd8/YEuYGBdOJKI/AAAAAAAABJI/eHmhK8gZFDUathELwV6zrSq-P9o6eb79wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0868%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stacy Mizrahi" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1539" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U5ExKFjjLd8/YEuYGBdOJKI/AAAAAAAABJI/eHmhK8gZFDUathELwV6zrSq-P9o6eb79wCLcBGAsYHQ/w240-h320/IMG_0868%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />As I have gotten older, I've accepted that a lot of what I would call a "comfort zone" is due to a shit-load of privilege. I grew up an only child, was raised in a middle class family and largely didn't have to worry about a dangerous environment in that process of getting to adulthood. All those things are arguably good as no one wants to have their children hurt. But there is this other side - a side in which a person , accustom to things being a certain way, finds them self at odds with the world around them. From this sense of discomfort arises protection mechanisms that protect the person from further discomfort by absolving responsibility of culpability in whatever is going on. It can happen on any number of subjects, from racism, sexism, harms of cultural homogeny, you-name-it. The most insidious part about that is that it stops personal growth and conceals truths or realities that inflict pain. This is the Self-Fragility I call into question. <p></p><p>No one wants to be blamed. And certainly, we tend to be in systems that protect us from any accountability - even if no action we did created the problem in question, However, that doesn't mean a lack of action is a lack of accountability. The issue is one in which I - a person of arguably boringly average upbringing , will deflect, argue, and whine about issues that threaten to harm my image, ego or worldview. When I catch myself doing it, I have to question a great deal about WHY I'm doing it. And regardless of the issue, it always seems to get back down to protecting my fragile self. Through all my perceived strengths, I can at times see a giant coward hiding within. So I continue my quest to face the hurt, to allow myself to try accepting some blame and shame. I became aware recently that my own spiritual growth isn't fulfilled through finding comfort, but rather that the struggle with my own expectations, rationalizations and the outside world can be a rocky road where I occasionally find balance and harmony. And I must be willing to forgo my own fragility to experience the bumpy ride. </p>Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-88720907628598762912021-01-08T09:04:00.003-08:002021-01-08T09:04:45.143-08:00Inducing Stress and Lessons Learned<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aydsbvqUs68/X_iNLKkuOUI/AAAAAAAABBc/x1Nu-K1Fp_ggfNS-pNYLImFT40xcZkRKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s792/saxo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stacy Mizrahi" border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="792" height="264" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aydsbvqUs68/X_iNLKkuOUI/AAAAAAAABBc/x1Nu-K1Fp_ggfNS-pNYLImFT40xcZkRKQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h264/saxo2.jpg" title="My Past IT Career was Constant Stress" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I grew up not knowing how to deal with stress. As a consequence, I became a person who let his emotions run his life. I couldn't leave things at work. I couldn't even deal with the stress while at work. My ADHD also complicated matters, as my focus would get derailed, I would slide into negative behaviors and my performance would become degraded. My solution to stress was sometimes healthy - like exercise. And other times not so healthy, like drinking, caffeine, and internet surfing. </p><p>Mediation and Yoga gave me something new - a mindfulness practice to help center myself. The idea was not stress avoidance - although they can sometimes achieve that. Rather, the practice became more like training my brain to cope. Stress is an encompassing experience - your brain and body all of the sudden shift into a different gear and you no longer feel in control. But you actually are! You may not have control of circumstances, but you have control over how you deal with with those stressful events. You might be able to manage to external stressors, but you can always manage the way you deal with them. Like hitting the ball of a tee, the practice over time makes you better at hitting the ball. The practice of yoga, over time, can help you ride out the emotional waves and bring you back to center - and perhaps even make you calm in the storm. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0Ellicott City, MD, USA39.2673283 -76.798306724.894676272522844 -94.3764317 53.639980327477161 -59.2201817tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-9858820347874659182020-11-07T08:44:00.002-08:002020-11-07T09:19:05.776-08:00My Hiking Adventures<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HSAyOAlNTLU/X6bPSL4ZjII/AAAAAAAAA6A/YZzbhROIQvESc3ZDuryma9E1HiwXZcSfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMGP0477.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stacy Mizrahi" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HSAyOAlNTLU/X6bPSL4ZjII/AAAAAAAAA6A/YZzbhROIQvESc3ZDuryma9E1HiwXZcSfgCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h240/IMGP0477.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Last week, I was mentioning to someone that when I was in the midst of my panic attacks back in 2017, I began noticing that my normally relaxing hiking trips no longer worked! After a lot of self work, I've been hiking again and finally finding that serenity I normally experience while in the woods. I believe that serenity isn't something that you escape to, rather its a state of mind that you achieve after putting in a lot of work. Hence, I could only enjoy the outdoors when I was able to tame the anxiety. If I used the outdoors as anxiety relief, eventually the impact subsides and I was left "going through the motions", unable to appreciate the beauty around me. <p></p><p>Last year I decided to put a<a href="https://stacy3583.wixsite.com/mysite"> page together</a> so I could catalog my hikes, both past an present. When you see them all together on one page, it's a pleasant reminder of how dedicated I've been to my outdoor explorations. I have ton of hikes to upload, so its going to be a process to get them all on. In addition, I've been contributing to the <a href="https://www.hikingproject.com/user/200723530/stacy-mizrahi">Hiking Project </a>- which is a noble effort to document the trail systems that no one else knows about! </p><p><br /></p>Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-19292725550661110312020-10-04T14:32:00.006-07:002020-10-04T14:38:28.927-07:00Walking Meditation <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8IyUNO3cejQ/X3o8YSJwzFI/AAAAAAAAA2A/uuPN_wkZHGwc1zHtCAOnzEPoS06Jv4rHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0512%255B1%255D.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stacy Mizrahi" border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8IyUNO3cejQ/X3o8YSJwzFI/AAAAAAAAA2A/uuPN_wkZHGwc1zHtCAOnzEPoS06Jv4rHwCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h240/IMG_0512%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Walking meditations seem all the rage these days, but I sometimes wonder how many people who claim to do the meditation part are REALLY surrendering to the walk. By surrender, I mean embracing the mindfulness of that one should be focusing on. Walking is easy, keeping your mind to the experience can be a challenge for many. I'm a seasoned hiker and even I find myself slipping into the world of internal monologue and "holodeck" illusions where my mind is not in the moment. <p></p><p>I think the trick to walking meditations is to eliminate monotony by constantly checking in with the senses. What am I seeing? What am I feeling? Did my dog just eat a frog? No!? Lets take a deep breath. Mindful movement is not much different than than what one experiences in Yoga or traditional meditation. You can't get "lazy", meaning you can't let the exercise become separate from the workings of the mind. Both work in unison, and it requires effort on the part of the meditator to keep the focus on the present. All to often we use that walk as a way to get away from ourselves. But the walking meditation is a walk TO our present, to the only time and place where we ever really are. We must use the experience of walking as the focus. By paying close attention to our movements and inner state, along with all the sounds and sensations of the environment, we become “in the moment.”</p>Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-60138189342862647632020-08-29T12:07:00.002-07:002020-08-29T12:07:34.980-07:00A Summer of Solitude was Anything But! <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BQLGinbACXc/X0qgjQB4d_I/AAAAAAAAAw0/YrxNC6IDgtU1RBGkoHhoEs74XHMAFX6-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/stacy_mizrahi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BQLGinbACXc/X0qgjQB4d_I/AAAAAAAAAw0/YrxNC6IDgtU1RBGkoHhoEs74XHMAFX6-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/stacy_mizrahi.JPG" /></a></div><br /> This COVID 19 world was suppose to be a great many things. One would expect that a global pandemic would have me locked down in quiet solitude, adopting a bunker mentality while I await the "all clear" from medical professionals. And certainly there were a few aspects of my lifestyle that had damaged my socialization, such as my mediation group, therapy and congregation to ZOOM. <p></p><p>But in other areas we've been using social distancing practices to stay in communication with support group members and friends. One of my groups has been meeting at a local lakefront, which I found to be a great socialization outlet. There is only so much you can do on a ZOOM session, and I think the benefits of having human interaction are immediately evident to all who congregate (in a socially responsible way). We immediately can see body language, observe feelings and provide encouragement - which are areas that get inhibited on ZOOM sessions. </p><p>Thanks in part to my daughters instance on getting a dog, I've been walking it ever day( despite my battle with plantars facscitis). Unlike leisure walking, I've discovered that dog walking actually invites conversation with neighbors who would have otherwise just allowed me to continue walking. </p><p>The family has also been taking advantage of the summer sun and getting more beach time in at my brother-in-laws place. It's been great for my daughter, who - other than her summer camps, has been relatively hunkered down all summer. It's not an ideal socialization strategy but sometimes you have to take the lemons and make lemonade. </p><p> </p><p><br /></p>Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-71072815859826160092020-03-23T16:44:00.000-07:002020-03-23T16:44:50.652-07:00Corona is a Great Time to Find Some Peace!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xxOFJNjnrzg/XnlINhXpaEI/AAAAAAAAAc4/yKkGKj9VbokOI88iz5m_J3sU3xBd7aYOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Stacy Mizrahi" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xxOFJNjnrzg/XnlINhXpaEI/AAAAAAAAAc4/yKkGKj9VbokOI88iz5m_J3sU3xBd7aYOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0072.JPG" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, I'm still telling you anyway!</td></tr>
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I had a great yoga session this morning - from the comfort of my living room watching a YouTube yogi and shared the experience with my wife and 10 year old daughter. It was a quick 20 minute session that we all got through. In the time after the session, I reflected on the fact that, in this time of social distancing, that I felt "in-tune", realizing that there are others out there that can tap into an endless supply of endorphins through this simple practice. I may not be able to talk to them, but I can understand that, at some level, those who practice yoga and be a part of this spiritual network.<br />
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I remember reading a book by Mark Epstein where he discusses going on isolation meditation retreats where no talking is allowed. Through social deprivation, the mind opens up to listening - as if the ego gets to go on vacation and the senses fill the void. We may not be going to such extremes, but I feel as if this mass pandemic might be a way of getting comfortable with that unpleasant house guest: our own minds. Rather than running to the distractions to kill the uncomfortable silence, perhaps simply embracing isolation might be the healthiest thing we can all do. For when we close our eyes and listen, we might find that there is something much larger there than the void that our brains keep telling us.Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-43116748712984113582020-02-15T19:53:00.002-08:002020-02-15T19:53:53.167-08:00Where Does Your Energy Go?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YpFVnx4B7XQ/Xki43X5ouqI/AAAAAAAAAbE/toRolGZyhhM_YvKkvxjSyCbFPkbR_KZ8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stacy Mizrahi" border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YpFVnx4B7XQ/Xki43X5ouqI/AAAAAAAAAbE/toRolGZyhhM_YvKkvxjSyCbFPkbR_KZ8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0159.JPG" title="" width="240" /></a></div>
I heard a great line from my yoga instructor and I wanted to pass it along.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
What you focus on is where your energy goes. </blockquote>
It's so simplistic and yet perhaps the best cognitive tool ever spoken. In the practice of yoga, we have to be mindful of where we are putting all of our focus. Focus on the wrong thing, and you'll either miss a useful detail about the practice or fall flat on your face. But that lesson isn't just about yoga. It is really about everything we do. I can't tell you how many times I've felt exhausted coming home from work, not having really exerted myself physically. The exhaustion was all from my mental gymnastics. Having moved my focus intently around a various projects, I felt deflated and tired. The brain can drive the body into exhaustion without lifting a finger!<br />
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So at any given moment, check in and see where your thoughts are at. Do your thoughts belong there? Is this focus a good use of your mind? It's this exercise of mindfulness that can help right the course. In that split second, the the goal driven executive functions are checking to make sure the monkey brain isn't driving the car into a ditch. Reflect on where your focus is, on where you are exerting your energy. If it isn't in the right area, it's time to correct the course!Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-53552819143190946102020-01-02T11:55:00.000-08:002020-01-02T11:55:00.983-08:00Get 2020 Going Right with Free Yoga! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lG1FVFXOJnM/Xg5KcaRe8OI/AAAAAAAAAYo/x8omm0vrO-gJAn97izUJg-hmjWkAyTl0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stacy Mizrahi Yoga" border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="960" height="278" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lG1FVFXOJnM/Xg5KcaRe8OI/AAAAAAAAAYo/x8omm0vrO-gJAn97izUJg-hmjWkAyTl0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0082.JPG" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am cheap. While I do frequently pay for many services, getting things for free is always preferred. And given this digital age of abundance, it's worth noting that many quality things can be had for free. I the area of anxiety and stress, a person can simply just jump put to YouTube and get some great Yoga instruction. So what are you waiting for? Add Yoga to your 2020 resolutions and check out these channels!<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene" target="_blank">Yoga With Adrienne </a><br />
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Adrienne has been on YouTube for quite some time now, and her content is stellar. If you are a noob, her channel is the best starting point. She doesn't do aggressive postures and spends a lot of time stressing mindfulness during her flow. Adrienne does frequent 30 day challenges that can ease you into a practice and help build a good foundation.<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/SarahBethShow" target="_blank">Sarah Beth Show</a><br />
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Sarah's channel is great in that she really spends time talking about mechanics on many of her flows. She does voice overs on her videos, which allows her to craft some quality instruction and overlay it on top of movements. Sarah also has recorded some pretty challenging sessions but she also offers alternatives for those needing a lighter approach.<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCciuZl2ydLCvN5txlLW0rIg" target="_blank">Yoga With Tim</a><br />
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Tim has really kicked my ass on a few of his videos. While he does do some lighter flows, his vids will likely get you sweating. He tends to move at a quicker pace than the aforementioned channels, so I would recommend "graduating" to him after you've gotten your feet wet.<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/BrettLarkinYoga" target="_blank">Brett Larkin Yoga</a><br />
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You can tell Brett is a committed teacher because her videos are heavily focused on instruction. I like this channel for getting my head around the terminology and technique. Great channel for those wanting to take their yoga to a higher level.<br />
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<br />Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-52134667755786364782019-11-14T21:16:00.003-08:002019-11-14T21:16:40.051-08:00Giving Thanks Should Happen Every Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JjMDoB06k_0/Xc4qnI8H4hI/AAAAAAAAAXM/uVx4VeDxJZMtF3rBHoW2i5Be5AjiCYzqACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stacy Mizrahi with Family" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JjMDoB06k_0/Xc4qnI8H4hI/AAAAAAAAAXM/uVx4VeDxJZMtF3rBHoW2i5Be5AjiCYzqACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0816.JPG" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's weird to think that one day a year, everyone in the United States gets together with family and "Gives Thanks" for everything they have. I guess the rest of the rest of the 364 days we are just selfish automatons living some hedonistic,forsaken lifestyle.<br />
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A while back, someone had coached me to start my morning with a journal entry to think of something I am grateful for. I would wake up, grad my journal and just think for a moment. I was never at a loss for gratitude, and if I worked too hard at it I would be overwhelmed with the great things in my life. I have great health, family, well-being, the list goes on. The exercise of gratitude is in contrast to the more common pessimism that inhabits our daily lives. The is always something missing, something not good enough, something not up to par or something wrong. I believe a lot of this thought comes from our ever-present marketing culture. The very nature of the sales pitch is to fill a need, and that need has to be established by getting you to admit something is lacking. It's no wonder that every advertisement is trying to make you fit, brighten your yellow teeth, fix your medical problems, get you a new widget to replace your run down widget. And so we go about our day, thinking about our shortcomings and thinking about a way to fix things.<br />
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Gratitude is the ultimate surrender to want. If desire is the path to suffering, what better way to avoid needless self destruction than to simply be grateful when ever possible.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #525d63; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">”A person of integrity is grateful & thankful. This gratitude, this thankfulness, is advocated by civil people. It is entirely on the level of people of integrity."- Buddha</i></blockquote>
And indeed there is much to be grateful for. Simply uttering one thing out loud can change your mood entirely. If you doubt me, stop reading right now and try it. Surely you can think of one thing. Perhaps you can look out your window and see a blue sky, and this natural wonder brings you joy. Or maybe it's your happy dog wagging is tail. Or your child who hugs you when you come home. Say what you are grateful for out loud, and the pleasure of this thought takes hold of you and brings joy and happiness. All the want in your life gives way to the abundance of the now. The mental concoctions of need and want are reduced to abstract fantasies . This, in short, is mindfulness in action. You choose to forego suffering for the the current, for the rewards sitting in your lap.<br />
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Enjoy your Turkey Day, but understand that you don't need to pass the cranberry sauce to find the joy of Thanksgiving - it can be a blessing for you any day if you are willing to practice it! <br />
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<br />Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-73014826696348063282019-10-14T07:30:00.003-07:002019-10-15T07:10:09.486-07:00The Webs We Weave<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ws7El9iatQ/XaXTJNZs6yI/AAAAAAAAAWY/UrNdIBia4x8eRSpX14RkF6NPHzrusz7ZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stacy Mizrahi" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ws7El9iatQ/XaXTJNZs6yI/AAAAAAAAAWY/UrNdIBia4x8eRSpX14RkF6NPHzrusz7ZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_0699.JPG" title="Stacy Mizrahi" width="400" /></a></div>
I bumped into someone the other day whom I hadn't seen in over a year. He came from a pretty troubled past, yet here he was working at his job and had his life together. This guy knew struggles, much of his life had been a series of struggles that would crush most people. Yet, I stood before him and took in his smile. I think there is no better gift in human existence, the warmth of an authentic smile that comes from hard life experience. That guy earned his expression, and I doubt few could understand it. When you scratch you way out of true despair, every day onward is a good day.<br />
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In this day of digital networks, I often advocate digital minimalism to anyone who will listen. Cast away the social networks and texting (best visualized chanting a monk robe). By raising your level of personal interaction with people, you are rewarded in ways that extend beyond notions of friendship of acquaintance. I can't express how important community is in living a healthy life. Having a support network helps a person grow. But it also makes a person within the network be both a student and a teacher. Helping others exercises our <a href="https://mudraman.000webhostapp.com/2019/09/giving-back-healing-in-altruism" target="_blank">altruistic</a> and keeps our egos in check. We learn from both ourselves and from others.<br />
<br />Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-89044694353209014812019-09-15T14:36:00.002-07:002019-09-16T06:52:53.105-07:00Intentionality<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NVVNEAgw6FU/XX6uny4sySI/AAAAAAAAAVo/K4W9pF6icP08fmDR_SZUYvvdoth7xetcACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/58172283170__028C8418-8D99-45F9-968E-B0B103EFE8AF.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Stacy Mizrahi" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NVVNEAgw6FU/XX6uny4sySI/AAAAAAAAAVo/K4W9pF6icP08fmDR_SZUYvvdoth7xetcACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/58172283170__028C8418-8D99-45F9-968E-B0B103EFE8AF.JPG" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Live with Intentions. Did I intend to be in the middle of this river? (Yes!) </td></tr>
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In my writings, I
tend to stress many organizational related subjects, such as goal
setting, mindfulness and planning. There is a common umbrella topic
that all these things have: Intentonality. I think
intentional behavior is perhaps the one thing you should reflect on
the most if your struggling with difficult feelings This has its
roots in the nature of habit forming. Habit forming develops in a
separate area of the brain than our other cognitive functions, so
when I’m sure my autonomous behaviors are driving me to feeling
like Nietzschian trope, I immediately reflect on my current state and
unpack my mindfulness.
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Everything that
makes up your ability think and act, the so called “executive
thinking” , sits at the front of your skull while the habit forming
behaviors behaviors are stored in your so-called lizard brain(its
actually the Stratium which sits above it). These brain functions
work hand-in-hand, meaning that your executive reasoning takes into
account your primal thoughts (pain, pleasure, habits and routines)
before making decisions. If you don't exercise critical thought, you
might be prone to being in auto pilot. Ever drive out of your house
to all of the sudden arrive at your destination without any memory of
the trip there? Routines are like that. The reason routines are so
pragmatic in sports is because it stops that few milliseconds of
executive functioning that might slow down performance. That so
called muscle memory is really your lizard brain taking the wheel.
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So we can
acknowledge that this autonomous behavior can have good and bad
outcomes. It's great if you are an athlete training for an event.
It's bad if you are trying to break a harmful habit or negative emotions. I've found the
best tactic to be that of intentionality. With intentionality, you
wrestle your brain's executive control back into the drivers seat.
You can't allow habit and cravings to steer the ship. Intentionality
has to happen the second you wake up.
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When your eyes blink
open from the pillow, you should start with something intentional. I
start with a positive affirmation that has nothing to do with the
addiction.
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"I'm going to
paint the house and it's gonna rock"</div>
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<br /></div>
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or if you have
something going on at work</div>
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<br /></div>
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"I'm going to
finish the project this week"</div>
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<br /></div>
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The affirmation is
the start of the intentional thinking. It doesn't end at the
beginning.</div>
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<br /></div>
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For me, my morning
starts with coffee, talking to my daughter before she goes to school,
and then planning my day. I sit with two day planners, one day
planner has a to-do list where I brainstorm all the things that need
to get done. Yoga, meditation, 10-12 work items, paying bills and so
on. With the second day planner, I write down the times I will
accomplish these tasks.
</div>
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<br /></div>
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It seems pretty
straight forward, right? I’m always monitoring my actions. I'm not
allowing idle time. I'm not allowing the lizard brain to take the
wheel. I set boundaries on myself and won’t put triggers in my path
to be tripped. This isn’t avoidance, rather it’s making sure my
goals are in line with the actions I’m performing. If my goal is
getting the grocery shopping done, I shouldn’t be watching Hell’s
Kitchen on the living room couch.
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<br /></div>
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If I don't have a
good reason for doing something, I won’t do it. And I always vet
my reasoning before taking action. Sometimes my habits can sucker me
in to poor decision making, especially with all the marketing tossed
into our lives. . My advice is to start your days with
intentionlality and find ways of keeping intentional behaviors
throughout our day. Mantras are a good start, and task management and
boundary setting are also good intentional behaviors to help stay on
track.</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-54154333705889212872019-08-28T22:14:00.000-07:002019-10-15T07:08:13.827-07:00Ego Death and the Hill We Die On. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfBZgqbrIdw/XaXSlXoX6SI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/mazrbP1BUqY1yK5Tx7UOj1ZCuxvs45j0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stacy Mizrahi Meditation" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfBZgqbrIdw/XaXSlXoX6SI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/mazrbP1BUqY1yK5Tx7UOj1ZCuxvs45j0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_0701.JPG" title="Stacy Mizrahi Meditation" width="400" /></a></div>
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I was attending a meditation the the other day and heard a great quote from Eckhart Tolle:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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Fear seems to have many causes. Fear of loss, fear of failure, fear of being hurt, and so on, but ultimately all fear is the ego's fear of death, of annihilation. To the ego, death is always just around the corner. In this mind-identified state, fear of death affects every aspect of your life.</h4>
</blockquote>
That one hit me pretty hard. I can't tell you how many times I've died on some hill defending some abstract idea that, in retrospect, I wasn't really attached to. Sometimes I do feel passionate about defending ideas, which is something I should be even more introspective about. There is this fear of being wrong, I've being proven wrong. That is my ego screaming for it's self worth to be acknowledged. I've had some time now to work on myself, to watch my mind as it stakes out hills to die on. I've gotten much better at doing the "ego check", to make sure my thoughts aren't really racing to fight because I've conditioned my ego to be am unyielding rock for ships to crash on. That power of habit has been cranking for decades, making sure I assert myself or risk being irrelevant.<br />
<br />
The treatment for such a sickness is evident. I slow down. I shut up. I listen. I let other people talk. I stop inserting myself into the middle. I let Ego death occur. I take off the hat of "rebel" and be at peace.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, there is this lingering side effect. I now see ego of others screaming back. I'm aware of their fears pouring from their mouths. It's as if I walked into a funhouse to admire the hideousness of my ego's reflection in different a thousand warped varieties. Perhaps it isn't so bad, maybe this new found perspective is to serve a reminder of the self I could not see. If I am forced to reflect on the screaming egos around me, perhaps it keeps me ever vigilant to monitor my fears. In ego death, there is no finality, only transcendence.<br />
<br />Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484603291966393932.post-46608932211108935752019-08-14T09:19:00.002-07:002019-09-11T06:32:06.723-07:00Nocturnal Panic AttackI had "waking" <a href="https://mudraman.000webhostapp.com/2019/08/fighting-off-an-anxiety-attack" target="_blank">anxiety episode</a> the other night. Long story short, I used all the tools I've been collecting to jump on it and avoid having an attack. It's a very empowering feeling to see all the hard work pay off <a href="https://mudraman.000webhostapp.com/2019/08/fighting-off-an-anxiety-attack" target="_blank">Mediation,yoga and breathing exercises</a> helped me stay focused and not get lost in my feelings. Also, word of advice to those who want to avoid such things, don't eat salty food the night before a stress-educing day. I need to get better at my dietary habits as a tactic to mitigate stress. A blog post for another day!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M11yAVFZYbw/XVQ1JTvQ7NI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/thiod9617wsFfX1UDXrLG121w-Mz6WJwQCLcBGAs/s1600/Stacy%2BMizrahi%2BYoga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Stacy Mizrahi meditating" border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="909" height="220" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M11yAVFZYbw/XVQ1JTvQ7NI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/thiod9617wsFfX1UDXrLG121w-Mz6WJwQCLcBGAs/s320/Stacy%2BMizrahi%2BYoga.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stacy Mizrahi Fights Anxiety with Meditation</td></tr>
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<br />Stacy Mizrahihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504427647902787977noreply@blogger.com0