Artist Spotlight: Regina Spektor

Regina Spektor is a Soviet-born musician whose songs beautifully combine the unexpected. A classical pianist by trade, she's not afraid to switch to an electric keyboard, electric guitar, or play a chair as a drum when the mood is right. Her powerful voice and raw lyrics, however, are what really set her apart from the pack.

I was lucky enough to see Regina at the House of Blues in Boston last night, and it was a fantastic show! She also happens to be tremendously cute...

Lazy Sunday: Long Drive

Photo via KomoNews

There wasn't a shred of cloud nor a streak of white to mar the deep azure sky today, so my mother and I relished in the bright sun with a long drive in the convertible. The leaves have started to turn here in New Hampshire; patches of orange and red burning on the trees as if the forest has contracted chicken pox. Whipping around corners on the winding river road, we later took the long way home - as if dwelling in the perfect evening's light might somehow make the dark winter ahead more bearable. As I type I can feel the warmth radiating from my face, cheeks still aglow. How was your Sunday?

Weekend Relaxation

I will be following my own advice tomorrow and taking in some serious soul food. Top on the list? Relishing in a deep tissue massage... ahhh I'm relaxing just thinking about it. Nothing beats that post-massage jellyfish feeling, smelling of sweet oil, skin still flush and warm. What are you up to this weekend?

Soul Food

Photo via Vegetarian Women

What are you doing to nourish your spirit this week? What steps have you taken to honor yourself? What have you been feeding your divine energy?

Ok, you do not have to book a 76 day spiritual retreat to an Indian ashram in order to connect with your inner essence and experience a sense of contentment (although Tina of Think Simple Now did and it sounds amazing - check out her reflections here). But even making little contributions to your spirit's piggy bank can yield major returns when it comes to your world view and the way you interact with those around you.

So what kind of soul food are we talking about here? I think of soul food as anything that brings new energy and life to all that is best within us. Maybe it's an activity that gives you renewed sense of purpose and joy. Maybe it's a mantra you use to help you tackle tough challenges. Maybe it's a person that encourages you to follow your own path in life. Whatever your soul food - it's important to make time to enjoy it... and there's no time like the present!

Photo via Self Hypnosis

Still not sure what your own soul food is? Give a few of these suggestions a try and see what resonates with you. Once you find the kind of soul food that makes your heart swell with fulfillment and helps put your mind at peace, make a point to consume it regularly.

• Close your eyes and listen to music that carries you to a whole nother level
  
• Write in a gratitude journal, or simply list out things you're grateful for
• Take a yoga, or tai chi class
• Cook a nutritious meal for someone you love
  
• Try meditation, either by taking a class or using one of these methods
• Call an old friend you've been meaning to catch up with
• Invest in a long, restful night of sleep - your body will thank you
• Read a book that stirs something inside you
  
• Open up to your significant other about your dreams
• Volunteer doing something you love
  
• Eat a piece of the finest chocolate you can find
• Connect with your pets - or borrow a friend's if you need to!
• Paint, draw, write, or sing out how you feel
• Get a massage

Synchro!

Photo of Esther Williams via Encyclopedia Britannica

I took the plunge tonight - into my very first synchronized swimming class. Reflections? Incredibly fun, challenging, and I have a feeling I am going to be very sore tomorrow (scratch that, I'm already feeling it). Let me expand on that challenging comment for a moment, though.

To the casual observer, synchro may seem like a rather unassuming and civilized sport for the delicate lady - yet to anyone who saw my attempt at "backward sculling" my "sailboat" across the local YMCA pool this evening, underwater housecat wrestling would have been a more accurate description. Really, until you have given it a shot you too may underestimate how difficult it is to look so at ease, never-mind stay afloat, in those unnatural positions.

As tricky a practice as it may be, I cannot wait for my next class. It's a super way to build strength and cardio capacity while honing in your coordination, balance, and focus abilities. Synchro is also unique because - like other water sports - it is virtually no-impact; great for anybody who needs a less stressful workout. Interested in learning more? Check out the United States Synchronized Swimming page and the Wikipedia Synchro page for more sport information.

Igniting your Creativity

Photo via Old Soles New Trip

As the days begin to shorten and the childlike excitement of summer begins to fade, often times our creativity begins to drain as well. But just because cool weather tends to bring with it a sleepy pace and less time for fun (read: leaf raking, snow shoveling, earlier bedtimes, energy lost to shivering) does not mean your creative endeavors must also cease. Here's a few, relatively easy ways to ignite your creative fire when all you want to do is park it on the couch with a steaming mug of hot chocolate.

photo by Sarah Cates, Cates Imaging

1. Read

Read, read anything you can get your hands on - so long as it isn't work-related. Diversifying your reading is a great way to improve as a writer, expand your mind, and turn on the faucet of creative thoughts. Reading helps us to use our imaginations as we picture scenes in our minds, create faces and voices for each of the characters, and try to predict what might happen next. Even if you've opted to read something less fictional, the act of using our brain to read something out of the norm is a big flex to those cranial muscles. Result? A more creative you, ready to fire synapses, make connections, and come up with original thoughts at a moments notice.

2. Exercise

Exercising enables us to get excess, fidgety energy out of our system while providing us with a less distracting, slow-burning energy which lasts for hours afterwords. Exercising also gets blood pumping through both our muscles, and our brain, making it an ideal way to prepare our body and mind for a creative session; be it creating music, writing a story, or thinking about a new business plan. Exercise is also a great way to clear some of the day-to-day mental clutter that prevents us from moving onto extraordinary thoughts.

3. Listen to Children

When you listen to a child, you never know what might come out of their mouth next. Children have easy access to imaginations and creativity stores (not to mention a whole lot of love) that most of us have learned to stop-up over the years. Speaking with children - and truly listening - can help us to re-open the connection to our more creative, less censored selves.

Where I Stand

Phew! It has been far too long since I've seen the welcoming glow of the Blogger "Create Post" screen. The last couple weeks have been a little crazy, complete with a near-perfect wedding in North Carolina, an exciting job offer (and the nerve-wracking first day of said job), loads of contemplation, painting of window frames, and copious amounts of peanut butter toast.

So today I stand a bit overwhelmed, excited for what's to come, and mentally drained. I look forward to writing more and sharing discoveries with you as things settle down and I find a new rhythm. For tonight, however, it's time for the peace that only sleep can bring.