Monday, February 20, 2012

letting go

i thought this was beautiful and so thought provoking....



what can you let go of to lighten yourself??

Friday, February 17, 2012

day 3

i have been practicing yoga for about a year now.  honestly, i don't know how i really ever survived without it.  throughout the past year, i have really noticed a big change in myself, my mindfullness, and my ability to breathe in situations i wouldn't have been able to otherwise. now, i am not claiming that i don't have the occasional meltdown, but in the every day craziness that creeps in, i handle things SO much differently.  i have learned to breathe.  to take a step back and close my eyes and breathe for 30 seconds.  it's a good good thing.

i try my hardest to practice 3 times a week.  but sometimes, i miss and don't have the chance for one reason of another.  i feel bad when i miss a class.  i feel like i've missed out on time to spend on myself, on my body, and on my mindfulness.  so when i came across this 30 days of yoga challenge on laura's blog, i made sure to commit myself.  if practicing yoga 3 times a week has improved my soul....just think what 30 days of yoga can do for me!  i've been longing to make it a part of my everyday life for some time, and was thrilled that this opportunity came falling right into my lap.





There have been some wonderful women who have joined in and i love the encouragement we're giving each other.  jump over to laura's blog to check out how to sign up and find the group on facebook. 



my day three was definitely my best.  i was so focused, and peaceful, and mindful of my intentions for my practice.  i have never felt better and i am so happy to be starting off my weekend this way.  i am also getting up bright and early to make it to the 7:30 class tomorrow.  i have never practiced in the morning so i am very much looking forward to it. 

namaste everyone!!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

happiness

this is so true. often times we are all so busy to stop and take notice when things are just plain good. right now, I am taking notice. through the madness of our crazy valentines day in kindergarten today, I had to stop and look.

through the craziness of my everyday life, the hectic but exhilarating trip to NYC this weekend, and everything else that i have going on each day, I am making sure to stop and take notice of the good in my life.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

dear nyc....get ready, here we come


and this is where it will all go down!  headed to pittsburgh today....headed to nyc tomorrow.....meeting up with my two sisters for some much much anticipated sister quality time. 

it is so refreshing to spend time with them.  the three of us couldn't be more different, but they just get me.  i get them.  we accept either other's views, we support each other's decisions.  sometimes we are brutally honest with each other.  other times, they are soothing at the exact times i need.  they hurt when i am hurting, they're strong for me when i don't have strength of my own. 

this has been a very long, draining, testing, and exhausting week for me in my personal life.  the past few months have been this way.  they give me space when i need it, and they give me all of themselves when i need them most. 

i often find myself feeling guilty for this.  especially in the last 5 months.  i feel like i have been taking and taking and taking their offerings to me.....and i feel like i don't reciprocate enough.  i have felt like this little lost puppy who constantly needs reassuring, strength, support, and their constant advice and motivation.  it's hard for me to sit back and think of a time when i have been there for them.  it's been just all about me since october and when have i given all of myself to them?   have i been so blinded by my circumstances that i have been completely absent to their needs?  i think this will be an intention i will explore from now on.  am i present enough for them? or am i so selfishly consumed with my own thoughts that i have left their needs in the dust?

the best thing about them is that if i have done this......they will not even blink an eye about it.  they have already forgiven me, they probably weren't even upset in the first place.  and it's because of that, that i adore and love them from the very top of my head to the very tips of my toes. 

Sunday, February 5, 2012

sunday joy



seriously???  how can you NOT smile when you look at this photo.....it is pure joy.  who ever knew that a camel could be so happy, and this little stinker baby....oh. my. goodness.  i just want to take those cheeks in my hand and smoosh them all over the place. 

i'm feeling quite similar today!  i am having a reiki session done this morning by Sona, my yoga teacher.  this is my first one.  i've been looking forward to it for so long.  i am really craving some balance these days, and i'm really excited to walk in with an open heart, and let the whole experience wash over me. 

i've also been staying at matt's mom's condo that looks over the lake.  this has been a true blessing and gift.  while i am so grateful that my parents have opened their house to me over the past year, i needed some time and space to just be present with myself, be quiet, and to have some space of my own to just breathe.  the setting is perfectly me.  quiet and calm with it's lovely view over the lake and the bay.  i snapped this photo last night of the sunset.  just makes you want to take a deep breath and take it all in.



my other source of joy, is that in just a very short 4 days....i will be driving to pittsburgh to sleep at heather's, to wake up early to drive to the airport, to fly to NYC, to meet our littler sister rachael, to spend the weekend eating, shopping, and having some much needed sister time watching fashions (because it's fashion week there!) and enjoying the beauty of that magnificent city.  phew!!!!  i cannot wait!!!!  i sorta wish we would have all taken off monday so that we'd have an extra day there......but i guess we'll just have to plan another trip (oh darn...)  i'm so excited about it that i want to just jump up and down and, most likely, look just like that child in the photo with the camel!!

so there you have it.....JOY....on so many levels.  pure joy!