Crazy Sexy Life.

Before I write this post, can I say that over the weekend someone found my blog by searching “richard nixon and bikram.” If you searched that and are currently reading, please tell me about THAT story?!

I’m back in the real world after being in a Crazy Sexy World this weekend. I took a retreat to Kripalu to see Kris Carr and Terri Cole present “Crazy Sexy Life: An Adventure in Health, Spiritual Wealth and Happiness.” I had been looking forward to this weekend for months, ever since I bought myself the retreat for a post surgery Christmas present.

I’ve talked about my love for all things Kris Carr and Crazy Sexy before, but there’s nothing like being surrounded by 149 other people who share the same passion, excitement and interest in hearing from her first hand. I first discovered Kris after my cancer diagnosis and started looking for research and literature about young adults with cancer. I read through her other two books – written about her diagnosis, dealing with that, and her lifestyle change – in, like, 24 minutes.

Needless to say, I was super excited to attend – not only for the workshop. I’ve been wanting to visit Kripalu for over a year, but the finances weren’t in the black, or I would talk myself out of spending that much money for a weekend trip. After the surgery, though, I said “What the heck am I waiting for?” And I’m SO glad I didn’t wait.

Otherwise I would not have been introduced to the splendor of the Berkshires in winter.

(There was a much more majestic vista on the left side of me, but I didn’t want to drive and capture at the same time.)

I would have missed having lecture and practicing yoga in a space like this.

I would have missed seeing Kris Carr’s blender/juicers in person! (The top of the shoe in this picture is also hers -> creeper!)

I wouldn’t have been given the reminder that meditation is key in changing your brain, getting rid of the “stinkin’ thinkin’” that tries to tear us down when we know we’re better than that. That exercise and yoga are the keys to getting your energy going, revving up the lymph system that carries out and dumps toxins in your body.

I would not have had the chance to eat at three separate, delicious, organic, local, did I say delicious food lines. Ohh, the food.

(That right there is vegan raw cheesecake and chocolate mousse. Yupper!)

I didn’t take any photos of breakfast because at Kripalu, breakfast is silent. It’s actually pretty cool and the intention is to give you silence and mindfulness at the start of your day. I liked it because I didn’t have to worry about explaining myself when I crammed 15 ginger scones into my bag. On the LID diet? Not so much, but it’s Kripalu. Come on.

I would definitely not have had the opportunity to dance around to Black Eyed Peas and Journey with 149 new friends. Multiple times a day.

While I was super excited to learn from Kris and Terri and participate in the program, I found that the other people around me were equally inspiring. I talked to women who had thyroid cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer. Women who were stage 4. Women and men who had no health issues, but wanted out of a relationship or career path or “rut.” I met other bloggers/suite mates/crazy sexy friends – Hi Jodi! People were looking to change something and, hopefully, left as excited as I was to do so.

I was also super excited about this tea chest. I went back approximately 590 times to try each one.

The biggest thing I learned from the weekend is that there is always room for improvement in everything (diet, lifestyle, exercise). Secondly, self-care.is.so.impor.tant. I realized am exhausted. Not so much physically, but mentally. Going to get my Thyrogen shots this morning, I realized just how tired I am with the diet (I would cut someone for a regular cracker, for real), with doctor’s offices, with appointments,with shots, with the whole diagnosis.

When they tell you about the treatments and the process, they don’t tell you to expect mental fatigue. Hopefully – fingers crossed – this the last big thing. And if it’s not, I know I will be okay. But my overwhelming desire to help and to care for others sometimes over rides my desire to help and take care of myself. That doesn’t make me a bad person, that just ends up making me pooped.

The workshop reminded me that taking care of myself includes not over-scheduling myself. Not raising my hand at every single opportunity to help. Not getting angry at small things. Preparing my food. Massages. Walking. Meditation. Keeping a positive attitude. Talking to friends and family on a regular basis. Asking for help. I’m repeating that one again so I remember it: Asking for help.

For this Valentine’s Day, I’m recommitting to take care of the only person who can TRULY, honestly and totally make me happy: myself.