Every year around this time I post a blog about "spring cleaning" because it seems to be in March that I feel a sense of renewal.
So though the blog's beginning remains unchanged, there are new lessons learned and a deliciously easy recipe for roast turkey breast at the end.
I hope you enjoy...
***
Just as dust, dirt, and grime tend to accumulate in a home after a long winter's hibernation, I find that similar debris - metaphorically speaking - often lurk around the nooks and crannies of our souls this time of year creating the need for a "spiritual spring cleaning."
When I think about "spirit" and reconnecting, it involves body and mind as much as things ethereal because when my mind and body are functioning at maximum, my spirit soars accordingly.
Like so many of us, when I'm running on the treadmill of life I tend to be a doer and a nurturer - taking care of the needs of other people, and getting things done.
Thoughts of meetings, schedules, commitments, and deadlines flood my mind on a daily basis and I find myself running, and stressed - like a hamster on a wheel - hoping I'm getting somewhere but suspecting somehow that the wheel will keep turning whether I'm on it or not.
I believe we recycle time
Another day, another month, another year.
A successful life is not about the things we've accomplished.
Rather, its about the things we've learned, the connections we've made, and the lives we've touched.
Lessons and experiences that can either be recycled and refurbished or tossed into our soul's landfill as another spring begins.
So what have I learned this winter?
This year I learned that difficult situations and people are only as powerful as the energy we give them and that the power we have to choose our own reactions can change even the most disappointing or stressful situations.
I have learned to re-frame the way I look at difficult people; viewing them as teachers rather than annoyances and choosing not to dwell on negatives but rather on what I have to receive - realizing each and every uncomfortable, disastrous, nerve wracking, painful experience has something to give if I am quiet enough to be receptive and still enough to accept.
Most of all, I learned that crisis really does provide us "dangerous opportunity" to grow and to change.
When I got the phone call that I wasn't going to make it any further *this year* on Recipe to Riches, I was devastated.
It was like all the old tapes that whispered "You're not good enough," or "You don't belong," were turned on to remind me I had no business shooting for the stars and I spent a good 24 hours dwelling in the disappointment, deeply hurt by what the little kid in me experienced as rejection.
But somewhere between the hurt and heartache, I was provided a profound "ah ha" moment that enquired of me: "What if not going any further is the best thing that could have ever happened to you?"
The question demanded I embrace my own beliefs in crisis as opportunity, and when I changed my thinking, everything changed.
Which is why my mantra this year is: Find the opportunity.
And so it goes.
But what does this have to do with spiritual spring cleaning?
Everything, I think.
Just as with our homes, we need to have an understanding of the things that need to be cleared out and the things that need a little working on, a little repair.
By looking at the things I've learned, I continue to understand the foundation that this house (my soul ) is built on, giving way to a deeper understanding of the things I no longer need or no longer serve me.
I understand that when each of us is operating toward our highest potential we have the capacity to make a significant difference to the space and people around us and that truly "Save yourself, save the world" has never been truer than right now.
Change begins with within me.
It's ripples moving outward.
Finally, spring cleaning is about changing the oil and re-thinking the fuel I've been putting into my body.
As you all know, part of my spring cleaning this year included joining Weight Watchers - a decision I'm very excited about and I plan to share the journey with all of you - including this morning's plan to take the dog for a run before I go to work.
On the menu today:
A breakfast sandwich made with turkey bacon, egg, green pepper, and green onion, with mint tea.
Lunch: Leftover stir fry from Friday night.
And dinner... a wonderfully easy and very delicious recipe I came up with for a small boneless turkey breast roast
Mushroom and Apple Stuffed Turkey Breast
For printable recipe click HERE
Ingredients
Three generous slices of turkey with sauce = 8 weight watchers points.
So though the blog's beginning remains unchanged, there are new lessons learned and a deliciously easy recipe for roast turkey breast at the end.
I hope you enjoy...
***
Just as dust, dirt, and grime tend to accumulate in a home after a long winter's hibernation, I find that similar debris - metaphorically speaking - often lurk around the nooks and crannies of our souls this time of year creating the need for a "spiritual spring cleaning."
When I think about "spirit" and reconnecting, it involves body and mind as much as things ethereal because when my mind and body are functioning at maximum, my spirit soars accordingly.
Like so many of us, when I'm running on the treadmill of life I tend to be a doer and a nurturer - taking care of the needs of other people, and getting things done.
Thoughts of meetings, schedules, commitments, and deadlines flood my mind on a daily basis and I find myself running, and stressed - like a hamster on a wheel - hoping I'm getting somewhere but suspecting somehow that the wheel will keep turning whether I'm on it or not.
I believe we recycle time
Another day, another month, another year.
A successful life is not about the things we've accomplished.
Rather, its about the things we've learned, the connections we've made, and the lives we've touched.
Lessons and experiences that can either be recycled and refurbished or tossed into our soul's landfill as another spring begins.
So what have I learned this winter?
This year I learned that difficult situations and people are only as powerful as the energy we give them and that the power we have to choose our own reactions can change even the most disappointing or stressful situations.
I have learned to re-frame the way I look at difficult people; viewing them as teachers rather than annoyances and choosing not to dwell on negatives but rather on what I have to receive - realizing each and every uncomfortable, disastrous, nerve wracking, painful experience has something to give if I am quiet enough to be receptive and still enough to accept.
Most of all, I learned that crisis really does provide us "dangerous opportunity" to grow and to change.
When I got the phone call that I wasn't going to make it any further *this year* on Recipe to Riches, I was devastated.
It was like all the old tapes that whispered "You're not good enough," or "You don't belong," were turned on to remind me I had no business shooting for the stars and I spent a good 24 hours dwelling in the disappointment, deeply hurt by what the little kid in me experienced as rejection.
But somewhere between the hurt and heartache, I was provided a profound "ah ha" moment that enquired of me: "What if not going any further is the best thing that could have ever happened to you?"
The question demanded I embrace my own beliefs in crisis as opportunity, and when I changed my thinking, everything changed.
Which is why my mantra this year is: Find the opportunity.
And so it goes.
But what does this have to do with spiritual spring cleaning?
Everything, I think.
Just as with our homes, we need to have an understanding of the things that need to be cleared out and the things that need a little working on, a little repair.
By looking at the things I've learned, I continue to understand the foundation that this house (my soul ) is built on, giving way to a deeper understanding of the things I no longer need or no longer serve me.
I understand that when each of us is operating toward our highest potential we have the capacity to make a significant difference to the space and people around us and that truly "Save yourself, save the world" has never been truer than right now.
Change begins with within me.
It's ripples moving outward.
Finally, spring cleaning is about changing the oil and re-thinking the fuel I've been putting into my body.
As you all know, part of my spring cleaning this year included joining Weight Watchers - a decision I'm very excited about and I plan to share the journey with all of you - including this morning's plan to take the dog for a run before I go to work.
On the menu today:
A breakfast sandwich made with turkey bacon, egg, green pepper, and green onion, with mint tea.
Lunch: Leftover stir fry from Friday night.
And dinner... a wonderfully easy and very delicious recipe I came up with for a small boneless turkey breast roast
Mushroom and Apple Stuffed Turkey Breast
For printable recipe click HERE
Ingredients
- 1 boneless turkey breast (app size: pound and a half)
- 4 button mushrooms, diced
- 1 apple diced
- 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 cloves chopped garlic
- 1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 tsp salt
- pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup apple juice
- Mix the mushrooms, apple, rosemary, garlic, apple sauce, and parsley in a small bowl.
- Using a sharp knife, make a slit into the middle of the turkey breast all the way down and using fingers, stuff the mushroom mixture into the slit. Reserve any excess stuffing.
- Spray a small casserole dish with cooking spray and place the turkey breast inside. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and the remaining stuffing.
- Drizzle the balsamic vinegar and apple juice over top.
- Cover and bake in a 350 oven for one hour. Remove the cover and baste with the juice. Continue baking for 30 more minutes or until turkey has reached an internal temperature of 165 Fahrenheit, 74 Celsius.
- Let turkey rest for five minutes. Transfer pan sauce to small sauce pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until sauce has reduced by about half.
- Cut turkey in slices and drizzle with sauce
Three generous slices of turkey with sauce = 8 weight watchers points.
LYNDS,
ReplyDeleteU ALWAYS REMIND ME OF THE ORIGINAL SENSEI IN "THE KARATE KID" PLAYED BY PAT MORITA...
CALM, COOL, COLLECTED, AND WISE BEYOND IMAGINATION, WITH SO MANY THINGS 2 TEACH THE KID, SOMETIMES IN WAYS THAT WERE DIFFICULT 2 BREAK DOWN 2 RALPH MACHIO'S LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING SO THAT HE COULD FULLY INCORPORATE IT
IN2 HIS DAILY LIFE AND MAKE IT "HIS."
AT TIMES I FEEL LIKE YOUNG RALPH AS I READ WHAT U SPEAK, BUT I GET STILL AND QUIET AND HIT THE REPLAY BUTTON OVER AND OVER UNTIL I AM BATHED IN THAT BLUE LIGHT BULB MOMENT WHEN PEACE SETTLES IN OVER ME AND I FINALLY UNDERSTAND THE COMPLETE CONCEPT OF WHICH LESSON U SPEAK, HOW U TAUGHT
IT, AND THE NANOSECOND IN WHICH I BECAME AWARE AND ENTERED WITHIN THE REALM OF THE INNER SANCTUM, FINALLY ATTAINING KNOWLEDGE, I.E. A PRECIOUS LIFE LESSON.
I HAVE LEARNED A GREAT DEAL RIGHT ALONGSIDE OF U ALREADY IN 2011, AND
I EXPECT THE REST OF THIS SPECTACULAR YEAR WILL B FULL OF ADVENTURES, MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES, AND BLESSINGS FROM THE GOOD AND GRACIOUS LORD ABOVE.
THANK U 4 GRACIOUSLY ALLOWING YERSELF 2 B USED AS HIS TEACHING VESSEL SO THAT ONE EVEN SUCH AS I, AT TIMES DENSE AND AT OTHERS BRILLIANT, HAS AN EQUAL CHANCE IN THIS LIFETIME 2 RUN WITH ALL THAT I AM AND ALL THAT I HAVE
BOLDLY AND BRAVELY, AND AS THO MY VERY LIFE DEPENDED UPON IT, WITH THE REST OF THE PACK, HOT ON THE HEELS OF U. OUR COURAGEOUS AND FEARLESS LEADER.
U HAVE MY HIGHEST REGARD, MY UTMOST RESPECT, AND MY DEFERENTIAL ADMIRATION IN THIS LIFE AND BEYOND, ON THIS PROMISE U HAVE MY SOLEMN VOW.
I'LL STILL B HERE COME NEXT YEAR, PUMPED, STOKED, AND READY 2 ROCK AND ROLL RIGHT IN2 THE ROUND OF RECIPES 2 RICHES, THO I'LL I B SETTLED IN2 FAIRBORN, OHIO BY THEN.
I'LL FOLLOW U [NO SILLY, 'FOLLOW' NOT 'STALK' U] 2 THE ENDS OF THE EARTH 2 SEE U SUCCEED AND ALL OF YER DREAMS COME SPRINGING FORTH 2 LIFE 4 ALL WHO KNOW AND ADORE U 2 SEE AND AGREE UPON THAT U R INDEED, THE CHAMPION!
LOVE U MUCH, WITH MY WHOLE HEART...
"TOWANDA, BABY"
~ERIN~
another great job! redirecting one's self is never easy, but you have managed it with grace and style, coupled with being brave enough to share with others. thanks.
ReplyDeleteSince joining Al-Anon over 5 years ago I have learned these lessons and to NOT give otheres power over me. I love reading your words and seeing you grow. I truly believe all the "bad" experiences of life (and some of the good) make us who we are. I also truly believe that THINGS HAPPEN FOR A REASON AND there are no coincidences. Love to you, Pinky
ReplyDelete