The idea of karma is that you continually get the teachings that you need to open your heart. To the degree that you didn't understand in the past how to stop protecting your soft spot, how to stop armoring your heart, you're given this gift of teachings in the form of your life, to give you everything you need to open further."

~Pema Chodron

I have always been fascinated by the idea of karma.  It makes sense to me that my life is all about learning to open myself further, for me to learn the lessons I need to know to make myself a better person. (some lessons are harder than others).  Why does it seem so much easier for some people to do the right thing and live peaceful, helpful lives and others seem to struggle through every life event?  Is it truly because the peaceful person has lived through this before and learned the lessons and can now handle it?  And the struggling person is a relatively new soul who is still learning?  Things to ponder.

We had a great time on Sunday morning.  Photos of this even exist but they remain on the camera as of this moment.  Pk was having another run in with verizon last night and I didn't even turn on my computer......
But, as I said, a good time was had by all.  We had tasty baked goods and coffee and fruit.  There was bowling and knitting and lots of chatter and fun.  It was such a good idea.  We'll have to do it again.

Last night Pk and I went for our "fitness evaluations" at the gym.  I registered us in the Healthy Lifestyles program that the insurance company runs.  They'll pay us for going to the gym.  That's cool.  We spent about an hour and a half with a trainer who taught us how to use some of the various torture devices  machines that are scattered about the floor.  He worked us out throroughly but easily.  Not too rough for our old muscles.

 Then came the sales pitch.  Now, we already paid the initiation fee (we got 2 for 1 as part of the grand opening deal) and the first/last months dues.  That totalled just over 300 dollars.  And now every month we will pay 68 dollars for us both to use the facilities.  That's less than 20 dollars a week (we spend that much on dinner out so it's really no big deal and healthier for us).  Our trainer wants us to sign up for the Pro Fitness plan which will include another initiation fee (149 dollars each) plus 320 dollars each month for us to have a trainer once a week for a half an hour each.  Now, to be honest, I'd love to have someone telling me what to do and how to do it so I don't have to think too much about this whole thing.  I'd just go and do what they tell me.  BUT I am not paying 320 dollars each month for this priviledge!

We'll meet with the guy tomorrow and let him know that we are ok on our own.  We're intelligent adults and we can figure this out.  We'll do some research and come up with a plan. Three hundred and twenty dollars........grumble.

I enjoyed the workout and took some ibuprofen last night to ward off potential pain.  No real pain, just soreness but I expected soreness.  Today I feel pretty good, just achy in places that I haven't ached in a long time.  I keep thinking how good I'm going to feel and that makes all the aches worthwhile.  I can see myself now, riding my bike, creating a breeze for the streamers to fly out from the handlebars........I'm looking forward to that.

For some reason, I have a runny nose.  It started late yesterday afternoon and just felt like a mild allergic reaction to something (you know, like someone wearing way too much cologne and it gets into your nose and makes you sneeze?).  But, it has lingered and is flowing strong this morning.  Where did this come from?  I was actually feeling good-no sinus headaches, no cold symptoms.  And now, I am using tissues like there's no tomorrow and my nose is already pink and sore.  No fair, I say!  Pk says it's my cold that I gave to him and he mutated and gave right back.  If that's true, he is in so much trouble.

I have a slight dilemma.  I discovered my sock wars socks are not knitted according to the pattern.  The heels are plain heel flaps and the pattern called for k1s1 heels.  (I know this because I forgot and had to rip out one).  Technically, they are a misfire.  It's been a week and I didn't notice until Sunday when we were getting ready for bowling.  I don't want to tell the Supreme Commander and cause a fuss since I've worn the socks and they're obviously not defective in any way- they just don't follow the pattern exactly.

Part of my problem is that I don't want to cause discomfort or problems for anyone else.  The socks are wearable (and quite beautiful).  But, if everyone else had to follow the pattern exactly (a premise that caused me grief more than once, who knew I just went off willy nilly as much as I do?), then my assassin should have to as well.  As of now, I am not going to say anything so I guess it's not really a dilemma.  I guess I'm just looking for validation for my position.

And now, I'm off to blow my nose some more.  Good thing I bring tissues from home. The ones they supply here would rasp the skin right off!
Have a good day all.