Charmed Living

I’ve realized how much I enjoy a certain type of self-help books.  They aren’t necessarily how to get what you want or how to get over your controlling self, but more how to enjoy yourself and stop getting stuck in the negative, stressful rut that Western civilization seems to be obsessed with.

My most current read was while I spent a rejuvenating weekend at my grandparents cabin.  “Living a Charmed Life” by Victoria Moran gives fifty short essays on different ways to alter your thinking, change your habits and live a “charmed” life (whatever that may be).  I love Victoria for her spirituality and openness.  She is not suggesting perfection, nor is she offering salvation.  But for those who are already spiritual she shows how to further that relationship with the Higher Being and “share the light.”  Yes, maybe a little kum bai yah, but encouraging nonetheless.

I appreciate her practical suggestions as well.  Getting up early to meditate and take the time to slowly get ready, eat breakfast and drink your morning coffee (or Teecinno) is a far better way to start the day than a rushed shower and piece of toast out the door.  Regular exercise including 20-30 minutes cardio, the same of strength training and 10 minutes of stretching gives about an hour at the gym for 5-6 days a week.  For some reason, this suggestion doesn’t seem as terrible as an hour of cardio every day.  Perhaps it’s due to the fact that I hate doing the same thing for too long (this coming from the girl who refuses to quilt simply because it’s too big a project).  And then there are ideas such as the Law of Expectation.  Expect that you’ll get/do/be something and you will.  Very “positive thinking” but hey, it’s much better than being a negative nelly.  Although according to this law, if you think something negative you’ll get it.

Perhaps it’s the encouragement that life can be better if we choose to do something about it that draws me to these books.  I’m an action-based individual.  I do things.  This is just another way to make it better, even if it does mean adding a little "magic."