the gauntlet

Hi, Everyone.

As we are fast approaching the one year anniversary of the gauntlet (November 1st), I struggled with whether or not to get one in before  that. What I decided is "Why not?" So buckle your chin straps, gauntlet 9 is about to hit the ground running! So....

MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2007 is the start date. Think about your goals! I'm going to really try to do something different for this gauntlet and I'm going to take some time to organize my thoughts about this one. I want it to be a raving success!


So get ready! Think about what you want to focus on and make a commitment!

I'll chime in a few days before to make sure you're all raring to go!

Love and light as always!
Shannon



Apathy can be overcome by enthusiasm, and enthusiasm can only be aroused by two things: first, an ideal, which takes the imagination by storm, and second, a definite intelligible plan for carrying that ideal into practice.
- Arnold Toynbee

How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.
- Annie Dillard

I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
- Edward Everett Hale

My Friends ~

Well, Gauntlet 8 is done for most. Congratulations! A few started late so you may still be going, in which case - Keep Up The Good Work! How'd it go for everyone? I have to say that I sometimes forget the amount of focus it takes to really follow through on your goals. It's hard and it takes commitment. I've been a little low on energy lately so it was a bit of a tough one for me in terms of focus. But here's how it finished up for me:

1)  train for the triathlon 5 times a week - okay well, I've put in some time but not necessarily 5 times each week. The scary part is the triathlon is in two weeks. Yes, two weeks. I'm concerned but I keep telling myself that I just have to use the utmost of determination, will power, focus and relaxation that I can muster and I'll be fine. Let's hope I'm right. Sep 16  - Zuma beach.

2) eat clean - not so much sugar and junk food - well, not so clean. Cleanish might be the best way to describe it. I'm now in slough off some sludge this coming week so I can relax the week running up to the event mode. I ate okay but this last week I didn't do so well. It's a new moment starting now!

3) small portions! - did alright on this most of the time. Yay for me!

4) get into a book (summer) - nope. no time or energy I'm afraid.

5) write at least 2 treatments - Well, no. I took notes on some treatments but nothing written. The good (and very bad) news is that I promised someone a treatment next week. So.....guess what I'll be working feverishly on all week? Nothing like a deadline to make you get things done!

6) work on integration - make the outside match the inside so I will be expressing who I am to the world - Hhhhmm.... this is a long and involved process that requires a real awareness. The good news is that I think I'm understanding more and more how to do it or rather what it looks like. So this is my quest.

7) journal and meditate at least 5 times a week - no, not five times a week, but dang it if it doesn't feel good when I do it. It's just like exercising my bod but it's exercising my heart, mind and soul. When you finally get off your butt and do it, you wonder why you haven't been doing it every day. Well, something to keep in the forefront of my mind.

8) half my weight in ounces of water every day! - no. But, as I said before, I've been more conscious about water intake and have been taking more in than usual. And now I HAVE to for Tri Day cuz if I'm not hydrated, I will bonk for sure.

9)  walk on the beach and enjoy the moment - waves, sand, sun, wind and me (summer) - Okay, well, I'm going to count this as done because the last ocean swim I did was a real treat. There were seals in the water, the sun and clouds were beautiful and in my wet suit, I could float like a buoy and I truly did stop and take that in for myself on that day.

10) tap into the universal heart as often as I can - as often as I can wasn't enough but when I did it, it was great!

11) go out with a girlfriend or two one night (summer) - DONE!

12) print my list and look at it every morning to remind and inspire myself - printed it. didn't look at it every morning.

Okay, everyone! What happened with you? Next Gauntlet will be in September. I'll email the dates in advance for anyone who wants to get up for it! Remember all updates are on the blog too (www.gauntlet.squarespace.com). For those of you who email me your lists and comments, let me know if you want me to post them or not. And a big THANK YOU to Tony (www.tonyleroy.com) for including me in his monthly newsletter.

My love to you all. Whether you participate or not, your energy is out there supporting this process. THANK YOU.

Talk to you all soon!

Love,
Shannon

PS - Anyone wishing to be removed from my email list or if you have anyone you want me to add, just email me and let me know! Thanks!

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.  ~e.e. cummings

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.  ~Confucius

May you live all the days of your life.  ~Irish blessing, also attributed to Jonathan Swift

Whether you think you can or think you can't - you are right.  ~Henry Ford

If you hear a voice within you say "you cannot paint," then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.  ~Vincent Van Gogh

It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.  ~Edmund Hillary

To the question of your life you are the answer, and to the problems of your life you are the solution.  ~Joe Cordare

Hey, Everyone!

So, late again with my update but thinking about you all every moment. How's it been going? We are almost done with our three weeks! Exciting and makes me panic as I have things I haven't quite accomplished. Eek.

I'll run through my list first:

1)  train for the triathlon 5 times a week - Okay, only made it 3 days out of 5 last week, but went for my first couple ocean swims. Saw dolphins and then on the next one swam with seals. So very cool!

2) eat clean - not so much sugar and junk food - had a couple of ice cream break downs (or were they "I scream" breakdowns. Hhhhmmm. Either way they resulted in ice cream being consumed.

3) small portions! - doing well except for dinner at Cheryl's but she's my trainer so it must have been okay, right?

4) get into a book (summer) - not yet but could happen

5) write at least 2 treatments - Hhhhmmm.  Took notes on some treatments today. Does that count? Still have some time. Let's see what happens.

6) work on integration - make the outside match the inside so I will be expressing who I am to the world - working on it. small successes.

7) journal and meditate at least 5 times a week - no. done it here and there but not 5 times a week.

8) half my weight in ounces of water every day! - no, but a lot more water than I usually drink. Go team!

9)  walk on the beach and enjoy the moment - waves, sand, sun, wind and me (summer) - not yet but maybe friday.

10) tap into the universal heart as often as I can - "as often as I can" has not been very often but it's not been "never" either.

11) go out with a girlfriend or two one night (summer) - yes! Have done at least 4 girlie things. May even do one more.

12) print my list and look at it every morning to remind and inspire myself - okay. printed it a while back but haven't looked at it recently.

So, my mom asked me what do I mean when I say tap into the Universal Heart. Now I'm no sage but here's what it means to me: Pause and feel I am one with everything. Erase the borders between my skin and the air - where I start and something else begins. This brings a very uplifting sense of peace and is very energizing. It helps me to remember that I am made up the same energy that flows through everything and helps to center me.

I have had some interesting experiences the last couple of days with relaxing. What I mean by this is in situations where tension is likely to exist - running, biking, swimming, relationships (both business and personal) - I have tried to remember to relax - release the tension in your body and then open yourself up to  your intuition. It has been very lovely to see how awareness around releasing tension and having a receptive mind can heighten your ability to hone your personal tools. Does that make sense? It sounded like a bunch of esoteric crap to me after I wrote it. Let me see if I can simplify that. Just like releasing tension in your muscles in bed at night can help you drift to sleep, releasing tension in your body and quieting your mind can help you wake up during the day. Well, chew on that and so will I.

Alright, my lovelies. Just a few more days. Try to be strong and have courage.

My love to you all.
Shannon


If I have lost confidence in myself, I have the universe against me.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

I hate quotations. Tell me what you know.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Give all to love; obey thy heart.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Every great and commanding moment in the annals of the world is the triumph of some enthusiasm.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

A friend is one before whom I may think aloud.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer.
Ralph Waldo Emerson