You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. ~ John Lennon

Never compromise yourself, it's all you got. ~ Janis Joplin

A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book. ~ Irish Proverb

for whatever ails you!

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" ~ Widespread Panic

Seriously, coconut water is a pretty amazing drink (tasty) and it wasn't until recently that it has been recognized as such a healer.

• Naturally low in carbs


• 99% fat free


• Low in sugars


• Natural isotonic beverage


• Carry nutrients and oxygen to your cells


• Raise your metabolism


• Boost your immune system


• Cleanse your digestive track


• Control diabetes

These are just a few of the health benefits that are being linked to this natural treat. Please follow the link below to learn it's history and current discoveries. Fascinating.

Health Benefits of Coconut Water - Drinking Coconut Water Benefits

http://www.zico.com/

Zico Coconut water is available for $2.50 before, during or after class. Try it!

MS Mud Run 2010

If you really want to do something, you will find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse. ~ Unknown

I could have thought of lots of excuses why I shouldn't or couldn't get through this course. But, the bottom line was that I wanted to do the race. Get dirty, be a little risky, push my edge - Caroline and I found a way to stick to together because we wanted to do it. Sure, we could have stopped many times or diverted the muddier trails, but we stuck with it and was pleased with ourselves and had a blast at the same time.

Don't make excuses - if you want to do or be something - the time is now - find your way!

Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down. ~

Be the one to break through and show you care. Life is short, care deeply - what have you got to lose?

You shouldn't compare yourself to others - they are more screwed up than you think. ~ Unknown

Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. ~ Raymond Chandler

No matter what you do, do it with heart and you can't go wrong!

Good luck McArthur YMCA Sailfish - swim championships this afternoon and Saturday!

The way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. The Lion King Raffiki

Don't run whatever "it" is will still be there when you come to a stop. Instead, choose to learn something from each experience. We learn, we grow.

As my children get older, I do have more time to explore the things I that I want in my life. It is important that we discover who we are and what it is that moves us.

As was said in yoga yesterday, you must pencil in time for yourself each day. If you don't do it, the hours will fill up doing the "stuff" that busies our day. It doesn't have to be exercise, it can be taking a book to the beach or starting an art, music class, surf lesson. Everyone should have something that is just for them - and hey, if it happens to benefit others (like you having a better attitude, self confidence, or smile on your face) then it's a bonus!

Women's Quest Surf & Yoga 2009 - Costa Rica

We are all in this together. Do what you can.

Starve a Habit: Remember that cravings are like weeds: they won't grow where there's no sustenance. Although this may be challenging, resist feeding your cravings, and you'll find they'll back off faster, and stay away longer. ~ 1001 Ways to Live in the Present, Barbara Ann Kipfer

What is that you crave? Chocolate, chips, candy, cup after cup of coffee, evening ice cream? Go slow and taper your consumption. Substitute it with something clean and healthy. You may just realize you can do without and feel better by not having it in your system.

However, balance is key. If you think about a particuliar food more than a day or so, go ahead and have it - your body (or mind) is telling you something!

The inability or rather unwillingness of the human mind to let go of the past is beautifully illustrated in the story of two Zen Monks, Tanzan and Ekido, who were walking along a country road that had become extremely muddy after heavy rains. Near a village, they came upon a young woman who would have ruined the silk kimono she was wearing. Tanzan at once picked her up and carried her to the other side.

The monks walked on in silence. Five hours later, as they were approaching the lodging temple, Ekido couldn't restrain himself any longer. "Why did you carry that girl across the road?" he asked. "We monks are not suppose to do things like that."

"I put the girl down hours ago," said Tanzan. "Are you still carrying her?"

If you are holding onto memories that make you unhappy or any unnecessary grief - drop them or at least try to. Why carry them around? - that gets awful heavy

If a friend talked to you like you talk to yourself, would you still be friends? Deb Blackledge

Life is change.

Growth is optional.

Choose wisely.

Martinique needing a nap after the Carrabas Beach Run 2008

There is more refreshment and stimulation in a nap, even of the briefest, than in all the alcohol ever distilled. ~ Edward Verrall Lucas

Make or take the time to nap this weekend. I am not sure there is anything better after a long week, hot day in the sun, good exercise than a 20 minute cat nap. Curl up in a cozy chair or on your couch and drift off into a sweet slumber. Let go of the to-do list and just rest, it's a good thing and you will be amazed how refreshed you will feel when you wake. Don't climb in bed or close the blinds - this would be too much like going to bed. Keep it light - nap, it just feels good!

What Kind of Nut Are You?

Your favorite variety of nut may reveal what you're really like, say scientists from the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago. They gave more than 1000 volunteers standardized personality tests, then asked the participants to choose among 5 types of nuts. see the match up below - and nibble on this: No matter which you prefer, all these nuts are faves among nutritionists. They deliver heart healthy fats, fiber and protein, as well as key vitamins (like E) and minerals (like magnesium). But since they also carry loads of calories, stick to one-ounce servings per day - about 20 almonds, pecan halves, or cashews; 14 walnuts halves; 35 peanuts.

Salted peanuts: you're extroverts and charming, you crave attention

Almonds: you have high standards, are very motivated, and tend to be a perfectionist

Pecans: you're generous and considerate and a devoted, loyal friend

Cashews: you're dependable and easygoing

Walnuts: you're competitive, and easily annoyed when life's inconveniences get in the way

taken from Good Housekeeping August 20102

A day of worry is more exhausting than a day of work. ~ John Lubbock

Crystal and Brian Kendall's trip to France - lovely, pleasing flowers

"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody." ~ Bill Cosby

We all want to please someone - our boss, our family, parents, friends, spouses, even kids. It can provide great moments of pleasure and satisfaction, but at some point exhaustion sets in. We can not be everything to everyone all the time, work to be pleasing to yourself. Others will reap the benefits of a rested, energetic, happy you.

The important thing is to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity. ~ Albert Einstein

I tried stand up paddle boarding for the first time yesterday. I was curious to see how different it was from surfing. The conditions were calm and smooth so it was a great day for a beginner. Once my legs stop trembling and got used to the feel of the board, I felt very balanced (thank you GoYoga) and perfectly content. There were others all around curious pf this new sport. Some experienced and catching what small waves were to be had. Others were like me just paddling back and forth figuring things out. For me it was very soothing, not the surfer rush I feel to paddle out, search out the perfect wave, adrenaline to paddle, paddle and then pop up - just a slow, steady view of the sea and the shoreline. A school of dolphins gracefully passed by which is always a lovely sight. A new sport - paddle boarding - I enjoyed my introduction and look forward to doing again soon. Be curious about something and try it!

Letting go, of course, is a scary enterprise for those of us who believe that the world revolves only because it has a handle on the top of it which we personally turn, and that if were to crop this handle for even a moment, well - that would be the end of the universe. But try dropping it. This is the message I am getting. Sit quietly for now and cease your relentless participation. Watch what happens. The birds do not crash dead out of the sky in mid-flight, after all. The trees do not wither and die, the rivers do not run red with blood. Life continues to go on...why are you so sure your micromanagement of every moment in this whole world is so essential? Why don't you let it be?

taken from Eat, Pray, Love

Let things go today and watch how your day, your plans simply unfold without any help from you.

Let go and just be.

A fabulous day at the beach!

Great job everyone - happy to be part of it all!

"Dreaming of the person you want to be is wasting the person you are." Kurt Cobain

Pretty profound. How many of us are ever fully happy with who we are? Always striving for a little more of this, a little less of this. Why is it so hard to be happy with who we are right here, right now.

We are perfect. A baby is perfect when born and it is not until language forms that do they start to see images and hear words of how or who they should be. Doors get closed, emotions stifled to fit the mold of society, friends, families. Why is that?

It's OK even fun to be dreamy; but at the end of the day, be who you are, be proud of who you are and the decisions you make. Be you.

"FIRST SURF™ is a unique opportunity for all, both young and old to get out on the water and experience the thrill of riding a wave! Participants, guided by established surfers and licensed lifeguards, pass through a four-station tutorial:

1)Water Safety; 2)Surf Etiquette; 3)Warm Up & Stretching; and 4)Wave Riding.

However FIRST SURF™ doesn't just stop in the water, as the beach will be alive with music, foods from Cafe Karibo, raffles, and other fun activities. The FIRST SURF™ free surf clinic event is sure to be a fun-filled day for the whole family.

To join us, click on 'RELEASE FORM'. Fill out the form and bring it with you on July 10th. Slots will be filled on a first come, first served basis, with a limit of 180 participants and a start time at 9:00AM. So get there Early! The event will take place at Sadler Rd. Beach Access on Fernandina Beach.

Be sure to check out our additional info : About FIRST SURF™, Directions/Parking, FIRST SURF™ Photos, and PRESS.

Thank you for your continued support of FIRST SURF™! See you Saturday, July 10th!"

www.firstsurf.com

Sol Pedal is a proud sponsor - come spin at 8:00 and then head straight to the beach for a day of fun! Wear your tshirts and show your support for the things we love in Fernandina!

Anything or anyone that does not bring you alive is
too small for you. ~ David Whyte




It never hurts to think and feel big - be full of heart and life
and be open to what is out there for you.

"It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you got..." ~ Sheryl Crow, Soak Up the Sun

How many times have we said "if only I could lose this last 5 pounds of baby weight, had those shoes it would make my outfit, those window treatments would finish this room, that new car will make me happy and complete?" Too often we long for more, more, more and fail to see what we already have.

I like new clothes, shoes, jewelry like the rest, but at some point we should look around at how very fortunate we all are. Friends, health, family - those are the "things" that matter most. Time with the ones we love means more than the anything.

Want what you got and find the joy in being content.

EXERCISE!!

We on this continent should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their ploughs but to secure liberty for their souls. ~Robert J. McCracken

Enjoy your 4th of July! Class at 9am.

Be safe. Be brave. Be free. Be happy. Be grateful.

"Less emails - more eyeballs." ~ Laird Hamilton

It's easy to send and email or text, but it's getting more and more difficult to talk to someone face to face. This is not a good thing. Spend time looking into someones eyes and really hearing what they are saying. Emotions get lost or translated incorrectly with the massive exchange of messaging.

Have a safe and wonderful Holiday weekend!

Mark your calendars fro First Surf next weekend - free surfing clinic 9 to 3, all ages welcome.

"Yet it helps to think of the neck as something - a pedestal, say or a plinth - on which you'd set a work of art. A stand for the head and the face. The fact that it is not an incredibly attractive stand doesn't matter one bit. It's there to display your face, your eyes - which is where you carry who you are - your intelligence, goodness, humanity, excitement, serenity. Over time, these are the things that change the musculature of your face, as do laughter and animation, and especially whatever peace you can broker with the person inside." ~ Anne Lamott

Your neck shows your age first - apply moisturizer!

Happy Friday! Enjoy your Holiday weekend - class schedule remains the same.

National Lampoon's Vacation

Laughter is the perfect vacation. ~ Milton Berle

If this statement is true and I think it is, we don't have to go very far to have a vacation. Spend an afternoon with someone that makes you laugh, pick up the phone and giggle, rent the silliest comedy that gets you every time. You will be taken to that relaxing vacation spot instantly. How great is that? If a travel is not in your budget, surround yourself by things and people that bring a smile to your face and fill your life with laughter. Belly laugh as much as possible, as often as possible (hey, you can even consider it an ab workout)!