Sometimes the now seems so difficult we want to move through it instead of with it. Things change, people change, events change. These things are all meant to change. Everything is meant to happen. It doesn't mean that what's happening doesn't hurt or doesn't burn to the core. It means that things happen.....that is all. We live, we breathe, we smile, we love. When the things/people we love are no longer in our lives we need to be thankful that they were. Thankful for the beauty of having someone or some feeling to miss. By accepting change and accepting the now we are able to move and change the way nature intended causing less friction, causing less sorrow, causing less pain then needs to be. We need to let go of the thought that yesterday was better. Was it? Was it really? Or was it simply different? Meditate/pray on these feelings. Acknowledge yesterday, be thankful and then let it go so you can appreciate today. What wil you actively be thankful for today? Mother Earth? Your family? Your friends? Pets? Find the joys in your life today and enjoy them now. Tomorrow this may change... Namaste
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Life is a practice. Every day, every breath we are blessed with, we get another opportunity to make positive change. We practice being kind to others, communicating in a way that makes others feel good, doing things for others. How often do we practice things that benefit us directly while making positive change? How often do we let our guards down and self evaluate or self appreciate? We must be accepting of ourselves (truly get to know yourself from the core) in order to practice loving and taking care of ourselves. Only when we practice our own acceptance, and understand we are exactly who we need to be, can we start to accept others for who they truly are.. Namaste
To truly CHANGE and create change, you must know you will become uncomfortable. You must step out of your comfort zone, try new things, new techniques, and meet new people. You must be open to BOTH success and failure. Keep in mind failure brings success, but you must keep trying. You must sweat, you must work, you may even cry. Keep your focus on your goals and know not many get it right on the first try.... You may not get it right ever, but isn't trying worth it? How else will you ever learn, grow, be the real you? It's time. BECOME UNCOMFORTABLE If the the only thing constant is change, why is change so hard? We all know we must change, we must grow, we must be who we need to be.
Sometimes New Years can be so exciting and so overwhelming at the same time! How do we meet our New Years resolutions without making change? How do we get to where we want to be without sacrificing other things? We don't...... The only thing constant is change.... Its hard to take a serious look at where we are and where we want to be. Take a break, take a breath, prioritize.... What is more important? Is money more important, is time more important, is sucess more important? As I get older, I want more.. I want more smiles, I want more hugs, I want more moments with family and friends... I will make the change this year, who is coming with me??? I received some news and then something happened last night that made me feel anxious, nervous, scared, sad and a little bit depressed. I thought I'd been through enough this year... As I was getting my daughters to where they needed to go this morning, I wondered how can I possibly teach a yoga class with the way I'm feeling today? How can I find something to say, share positive vibes, or even smile with the way I'm feeling right now? After digging deep, chatting with a few of my closest friends, and a lot of meditation, I took my own advice that I've given to so many others and told myself, "let go of things you can not control" with that thought in my head, I also thought, I need to pay extra attention to the things I CAN control and that's what I'll teach about... Pay attention to how you act, and react to things, situations, people, LIFE... We ALL have a choice. We can smile, we can encourage others, we can speak with love and kindness. How WE ACT usually determines how others REACT. Regardless of how I feel, I can choose my actions. If I want to feel good physically, I need to exercise and eat healthy. If I want to feel good mentally, I need to be positive, share love, and act with kindness and compassion for others. By doing this, I am allowing myself to focus on the things I can control and I can share these things with others. When I opened my yoga journal at class today, the quote on the next blank page was perfect, it was a sign telling me "I'm exactly where I need to be" so I shared it with the class and taught how I felt.. I hope WE ALL share this with others making the world a more loving, compassionate, peaceful, safe place.... "We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world" ~BUDDHA Namaste❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I hope you all had a beautiful Thanksgiving and no matter what trials and tribulations are going on personally in your life, I hope you found SOMETHING or SOMEONE to be thankful for.
My father was diagnosed with cancer in March when I went home to Minnesota for my birthday. At 70 years old, my best friend, only confidant and father, passed away on July 14, 2014. This year and this season has been a struggle for me however I am Thankful for yoga. :) I quit my full time job so I could travel back and forth every month to see him. I reached out to friends I have met here in Maryland, to keep my three daughters comfortable in school and sports while I traveled. My mom quickly sold my childhood home that my father passed in, and moved to North Carolina to be closer to her sister. I lost that place I felt I ALWAYS had to go back to, but I found thankfulness that she is healing her own way, has her sister and is now only an 8 hour drive away. I taught in DC on my fathers birthday 11.19.14 and I found Thankfulness for my breath. I used the breath to help me pull through the grief. I reached out to the energy of the class and enjoyed sharing the breath and smiles that looked back at me. Its not always easy and we all struggle together. Know that no matter where you are or who you are with, you are not alone and there are many people who feel the way you do. Use this time to practice the breath and know you have it AND yoga to help center and ground you through the busy and sometimes stressful days..... I am THANKFUL for MY Breath.... NAMASTE Tis the season to practice being thankful. Not just being thankful but actually practicing being thankful.
Seeing the things in your life that you have to be thankful for and practicing being thankful for them. As the old saying goes "you never know what you have until it's gone"..... it's true believe it. Life is about change, each breath is unique, each moment is an opportunity, every second has something to be thankful for. Start the practice now of knowing what you have. Physically and mentally taking inventory, practicing being thankful for them and showing appreciation for all things in life, be thankful for life itself. Practice appreciation and thankfulness with your words, your interactions, your thoughts. Spread joy, spread smiles, and spread love by being thankful. Daily Thankful Practice Find five things to be thankful for Sit comfortably in a warm quiet calming space. Cross your legs in front of you. Blink your eyes closed and start to physically and mentally relax. Feel the breath work its way through your body, feel the heart chakra start to warm up. Feel a warm glowing light inside of your heart, feel this light start to heal your body and mind. Bring your awareness to this process and start to be thankful. As you inhale start to bring the things you are thankful for into your heart and mind, as you exhale say "In this moment, I have enough" Continue to do this for the next couple of breaths, using the five things you have decided to be thankful for on this day. After you have given thanks, sit in your self awareness, breathe and relax letting the thankfulness consume your body and mind. Take a couple of full deep breaths and just be................................... During the change of weather, change of season, one thing that can remain constant is your yoga practice. Whether it is in the studio or in your home, practice taking care of and nurturing your minds and bodies. Share this through your interactions with everyone around you. Smile at people you don't know, let go of the ego and feel safe knowing it's ok to be open minded, open hearted and share your smile :) Some people have told me that fall symbolizes death with the leaves falling to the ground in preparation for winter and rebirth in the spring but I like this quote.... “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” ― Albert Camus We all have the power to see things and respond to things in a beautiful, positive light.. Choose Happiness!!! Embrace family. Family could be your dog, your neighbor, your friends, your community, your kids, or your parents. Each breath, similar to each family, is unique but should be embraced. Embrace the love, the connection, the understanding that you have with your family. Cherish each and every moment with those that make you smile and show you love. This past week I had a beautiful week moving my mother across the country to her new home. We love each other more than words. Tomorrow I get to return to my DC yoga family and I love and appreciate the time we get to spend together as well. All families are different and have their purposes. Embrace your families near and far as you count your blessings tonight..... Today is beautiful. I'm wide awake getting ready to teach in DC!! I LOVE teaching, I LOVE DC, and I love the energy that I get sharing what I love with others.... This is the last class I'll be teaching before I fly out to MN to get my mom and drive her to the East Coast to start her new life. After my father (my best friend) died this July, I kept moving, kept running full speed, I even tried to kick it into overdrive. I haven't wanted to slow down in fear of coming to a complete stop... His favorite slogan was TCB.. Take care of business.. Meaning take care of yourself and your loved ones... We found out in March he had cancer, we didn't know he would be leaving us that soon. I wasn't there when he passed and feel horrible guilt everyday.... My mom, my brother, and my uncle Marc were there. Mom 24/7 right by his side. Now it's my turn to be there for him by being here for her..... I'm soo blessed that I get to spend this time with her and get to experience this new beginning with her!! Today's practice for me will be dedicated to my father, dedicated to my family. We will be open and aware, we will share the breath, share the experience and simply BE...... Namaste |