Grateful

Posted: August 5, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Anusara, Balance, Books, Emotions, family, Feelings, Foundation, Kula, Love, Openness, Strength, Yoga | Tags: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Last weekend I closed out my birthday month with a special yoga class. I invited some of my dearest friends, as well as my family (my husband and daughters, plus my sister), and my teacher Emma led us through the asana.

She likened our connection to a golden chain of friendship (cleverly referring to a lovely passage in the final Harry Potter book — there’s not much I love better than a literary allusion, Em!). She spoke about gratitude and support. And the “Om” we all intoned together was really gorgeous — we were in perfect harmony. Not surprising, since everyone on the guest list was someone I love.

I’d been thinking about gratitude, as well. It was such a great feeling to have all those important people around me. It made me feel once again how fortunate I am, and that the most important things in our lives are the people we surround ourselves with. They help us to really be who we are, because we can see our selves reflected in them.

I’ve been toying with the idea of making a “gratitude list” for ages. I feel like most of the posts I write are contributions of a sort to that list. But I’d like to try making an actual list, too. It’s as good a time as any to begin one. So, today, here’s what I’m grateful for.

— The people in my life. I have carefully curated my circle, and it’s like a wall of love and protection around me.

—  My inner strength, which allows me to move through my life as an active participant, open to what comes, without feelings of fear, defensiveness, or helplessness.

— My outer strength. My body feels strong and good, so my mind and my spirit can be that way too.

— My amazing daughters, and the fact that I get to hold them every day.

— My husband, for his support, and for allowing me to support him.

— The fact that more work opportunities are beginning to vibrate around me.

— All the amazing books I’ve read, all those I have yet to read, and the fact that there will never be a time when there’s not something worthwhile to read lying around.

— The fact that my mother is moving through her widowed life as gracefully as I’ve seen anyone do.

— Yoga, and especially my kula.

— Music.

— Coffee.

Birthday Blessings

Posted: July 5, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Balance, Bliss, Emotions, family, Feelings, Foundation, Intimacy, Kula, Light, Love, Openness, Presence, Strength | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

I don’t often use the word “blessed” — I suppose it still has Christian connotations for me, so it feels strange. But it’s a universal term, really, and I’ve truly been feeling it for the past few days. So here I go.

I’m a big fan of my birthday, July 3. Part of it is the simple fact of its proximity to the July 4th holiday. Everyone’s in a good mood, seeing friends and family, going to the beach or a barbecue, watching fireworks. But I also tend to look at my birthday as a time to take stock, to see where I am, how I’m feeling, what life looks like. Some years it feels like, Ugh. I don’t want to be here. For the last few it’s been, This is a good place to be. I’m glad I’m here, and I’m glad all the people around me are here.

I take my friendships very, very seriously. My friends know they can count on me, always. That I’m there to listen or make them laugh. That I will take them where I find them. In the past few years, as I’ve been working on setting my own my foundation, my friendships have strengthened as well. Some have fallen away, and that’s okay. New ones have begun, and they are wonderful. Many have strengthened and deepened, and that is divine.

I’ve got many, many smart, funny, wise, brave, strong, present, open-minded, amazing people around me. If you’re reading this, chances are excellent that you are one of them. And I consider my connection with you a blessing. I am lucky to know you, and I love knowing you.

My birthday weekend was full of family and friends who know me deeply and made me feel so loved. From the ones I got to spend time with to all of those who sent me your good wishes — thank you. It means a lot.

And remember, there are still 26 days left in my birthday month. 😉

Short but Sweet: Why I Love Summer

Posted: June 9, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Emotions, Feelings, Light, Openness, Presence, Running, Simplicity, Yoga | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

It’s beyond hot here. It’s currently 96 degrees with a heat index of 103. We are holed up inside in the air conditioning. I know it’s not good for the environment or our energy bill, but I love air conditioning. I love it so cold you need a sweater, and you have to periodically go outside to warm up. Not that that’s an issue with my window units. It’s a distant memory from working in NYC offices.

The only thing I don’t love about summer is that I simply and absolutely can’t run in the heat. I can’t breathe. And no, I’m not going to get up at 6 am and run, as smart of an idea as that is. So I need to find a dreaded treadmill for the next few months. But yoga is year-round. And it’s the perfect time for tennis.

I love sundresses and tank tops and bare feet with painted toes. I love that my hair gets blonder and my skin turns brown (I do use plenty of sunscreen, but I get color regardless). I love how Kate turns golden and Sara turns nut brown, so dusky she looks like she needs a good scrub. I love them in their cute little bathing suits. I even sort of love my bathing suits, though I don’t look nearly as cute as my girls do. I love the smell of sunscreen. I love our community pool. I love sprinklers and lazy rivers and log rides. I love the beach and the ocean and our annual August trek down the Shore.

I love ice pops, ice cream, chips and guac. I love all the food associated with barbecues. I love the Fourth of July fireworks, not least because my birthday is July 3. (I love love love my birthday.)

I love how it stays light until so late. I love fireflies.

Of course, I prefer a nice 80-degree day to this sweltering, dangerous heat. But I’ll take it over a windchill anytime.

There’s something about the summer. There’s a purity, a clarity to it. I feel sleeker and healthier and lighter. The days are quieter, less weighty. Things that feel difficult the rest of the year seem possible. Everything is simpler. I feel more accepting and open, more willing to let things go, let things in.