JOY is not something that ‘happens’ to us. it’s not something we wait for, or something other people give to us. JOY is something we CHOOSE. something we PRACTICE. our reality is largely the nature of our thoughts, so practice manifesting JOY and abundance, just as you would practice landing a handstand. the results are well worth it
HAPPY NEW YEAR! This morning, January 1, I woke up feeling…. different. (And not simply because I had imbibed an inordinate amount of pink champagne at various NYE festivities, and kissed a few friends (and maybe even one or two strangers) last night as the ball dropped)….. Different, because I know that today is a brand new day, in a brand new, squeaky clean sparkling new year! A day, and a year where anything is possible. Life just feels… new. vibrant. brimming with all the potential for whatever I choose to imagine.
2011, for me, was a year of learning. and growing. I almost feel as if I knew all along that it was merely a preparation. A time to listen, and feel. To overcome, to persevere, and to clear space for all that is to come in 2012. And now…. 2012 is here. So as I tumble out of bed, I feel almost giddy as I down a glass of fresh squeezed OJ (resolution #1 – no diet sodas) and brew my own coffee (resolution #2 and #3– consume less sugar, and don’t squander money at Starbucks for ludicrous half-caff sugar free mochas).
For the New Year, I have resolved to begin each morning by drawing an ‘angel card’ for a daily intention. These are small cards with one word printed on them…. representing the specific ‘angel’ that is working with you to guide you along your path each day (resolution #4- be open to study and explore my own spirituality). Today, I decide to shuffle the cards before choosing. As I do so, I start to feel an inexplicable pressure to choose the right card. The best card. I mean… I’m kind of expecting this little card to offer some deeply profound insight for the ENTIRE year. After all, my friend Katie has told me that she is positive 2012 will be my MIRACLE YEAR. My friend Cathy has told me that, exactly one year ago, her psychic predicted that 2012 was going to be my YEAR of ABUNDANCE (No pressure). This card I’m about to pick HAS to be perfect! But then…. I breathe, and realize that I’m being ridiculous (resolution #5 – stop trying to be perfect, and accept my soul’s inherent perfection). SO I calmly continue to shuffle, meditating on my intentions as I do so (resolution #6 – practice meditations). Just then…. a kind of miraculous thing happened. At least…. I choose to think of it as miraculous (resolution #7- notice, and appreciate small miracles…. they are a key to the divine). As I am shuffling… 3 cards flip themselves over. Now… this breaks all the rules (resolution #8 – break more rules) of having to CHOOSE just ONE card, but I harnessed resolutions #7 & #8, and just went with it.
the 3 words facing me were: ABUNDANCE. AWAKENING. and AUTHENTICITY. As I stare at each card, I marvel at the perfection of these words. I look forward to the vast potential of this new year. This fresh start (resolution #9 – learn from the past. Be present. Look forward). It’s beginning to appear that 2012 will… in fact… be my personal MIRACLE YEAR.
ABUNDANCE. AWAKENING. AUTHENTICITY. I couldn’t have chosen better myself. Which leads me to notice…. a rather wonderful lesson: sometimes…. The true path to your destiny, means getting out of your own way, and trusting that LIFE…. may have bigger plans for you, than you could ever have imagined for yourself (resolution #10- Trust more. Fear less) I hope YOUR New Year is….. MIRACULOUS.
One filled with joy preaches without preaching. ~Mother Teresa
live your life to the fullest, and practice radiating JOY! not just “in general”, but specifically…. now. today.
breathe. read. send an email to an old friend. make a new friend. practice the power of positive thought. taste every bite. take a bubble bath. do a 2 minute meditation on ‘gratitude’ at your desk. get your exercise by JUMPING for JOY!!! you have the power to brighten someone’s day….. do it. and never forget…. that by “preaching” joy with even your smallest ACTIONS, you receive the ultimate gift yourself. true happiness.
Late last year, I took a trip around the world, and one of the many highlights was a jaunt to Mal Pais, Costa Rica (see previous blogs). This sleepy little village is a haven for venturesome surfers, located square between the beautiful rolling waves of the coast-line, and the alluring greenery of the dense rain forests. In short…. Paradise.
During my visit to this Utopia, one of my favorite treats was cracking open a fresh coconut (straight from the tree) for the hydration of it’s water. And by “cracking”….. I actually mean machete-ing. and by “water” i actually mean ‘liquid Bliss’. That’s right. Part of my enchanted exploration of our planet involved learning to wield a heavy, hand-made machete to cut the coconuts down from the branches & break them open for their delicious meat & milk. (no harm came to the coconut trees in this massacre. Their fruit is meant to be harvested). This fresh coconut water kept me hydrated and energized through hours upon hours of sunshine, surfing, and hiking through the wilderness. It kept me cool in the warm daylight, and sweetened the starlight drenched nights.
Back in the real world of los angeles, it’s not quite as easy to find a) a coconut tree springing out of the 405 freeway, or b) a handy machete to carry around in my yoga bag. SO….. I have recently been introduced to the next best thing! YogaEarth “Purity” organic coconut water. Easily transportable, this 100% organic powder is hand- harvested from coconuts in Bali, Indonesia (another elysian Arcadia I visited on my travels). Each tiny packet packs a HUGE punch of hydrating electrolytes, which give your water a flavorful boost, and can easily sustain you through a rigorous yoga flow. Or….Tough Mudder. or deep sea fishing adventure. or… any other earth shattering feat your sense of adventure brings your way!
To be honest, i’ve never been one who Loved the taste of straight up water. I mean…. i Drink it. but it’s more out of a sense of obligation. in fact: obligation… mixed with guilt. Dehydration wreaks absolute havoc on your endocrine system. So i drink water… because, I know it’s healthier than… say… a boba tea. or an In-n-Out milkshake. But in most cases, i would much rather have either of latter. Those who know me, know that i have a (not-so-secret) penchant for Diet Dr. Pepper. It is one of the guilty pleasures i am trying desperately to quit. Let’s face it. it’s not exactly the ideal “poster drink” of the yoga community. PLUS, i am constantly reminded by my loved ones that sugar substitutes have lately come under scrutiny for causing strokes in later years. Awesome. SO…. In my recent quest to cut down on my (formerly embarrassingly high) intake of diet sodas and high calorie/ sugar-rich sports drinks, “YogaEarth Purity” is exactly the ally I need to thwart the insidious enemies: aspartame & dehydration.
And perhaps even MORE amazingly…. Each sip I take brings me back to that relaxing beach on Mal Pais, where I lay (arms distance from my machete), enjoying a quiet siesta in a swaying hammock between 2 coconut trees, listening to the rolling surf kiss the sundrenched shore. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
** look for purity at YogaEarth.com. I am thrilled to be one of their newest ambassadors!
Typically, I like to begin these blogs with an itemization of “5 Things for which I am thankful”. Today…. I think I will break with tradition, and instead begin this post with…
“5 Things of which I am TERRIFIED!!” 1) being attacked by sharks 2) drowning in the open ocean 3) being attacked by sharks 4) getting lost at sea, forced to seek survival on a raft, bereft of companions, and reduced to forging a bond of friendship with a volleyball named Wilson 5) did I MENTION the sharks????
You might ask, “why the radically modified (and slightly morose) list?” Well I’ll tell you: This coming Saturday, I am forgoing my usual weekend routine of happy hours, leisurely brunches, and dozens of languid hours at the beach. Instead, I am embracing my inner explorer, and embarking on an epic journey… Deep Sea Fishing. In Mexico!!! Why?? Well…. because I have a profound thirst for adventure. And no one has ever accused me of being practical or mundane. But the even broader importance of this trip is that So much of what I teach is based on the idea of being OPEN to opportunities that present themselves. I am constantly encouraging my students to grow in their practice (on and off the mat) by coming out of their comfort zone, and reaching for that which they have not yet mastered. On the mat, this may manifest as a willingness to fall while exploring the balance of ‘half moon’ pose. Off the mat, it may be revealed as taking on a new job, or training for a triathalon. Either way, the embracing of change is an imperative element of growth. Last week in my Yoga class, I referenced a quote from one of my favorite artists, which has become almost like a mantra for my life.
I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it. ~Pablo Picasso
Yes. I was one of those annoying students in elementary school who was always raising my hand in class and “Oh! Oh!”-ing to be called on. I LOVED learning and reading, and turning in papers…. I basically Hermione Granger-ed my entire way through the educational system. And while I LIKE to think that I’ve become less annoying about it…. my lust for learning & expanding my horizons has not changed that much since those early days in pigtails & plaid uniforms. I still yearn to learn MORE. To discover… MORE. About…. almost everything! I enjoy taking on challenges, and diving head-first into exotic experiences…… and doing so, usually involves a fair amount of ‘fearlessness’. An un-tempered willingness to reach beyond what we know, and to leap head first into uncharted waters. Be they metaphorical…. Or (in my case) literal.
So…. whether it’s Deep Sea Fishing, Tough Mudders, or new relationships, I find that being open to learning the profound lessons held in any of these enigmas, MAY just teach us something about ourselves along the way. And if I manage to return safely from my weekend out on the Open ocean, with NO land in sight… I’ll happily share my insights and experiences with YOU. If not…. I guess I’ll be sharing them with ‘Wilson’. And my raft.
I came upon this quote earlier today over my Venti iced coffee as i was preparing to teach. At first, it sounds pretty basic…. i mean, we’ve heard it a million times: “follow your heart!”. it’s not exactly an earth-shattering revelation. BUT…. maybe….. it could be. Maybe Confucius did not intend this advice to be applied only to the broad spectrum of our careers and life journeys. MAYBE…. he meant it to apply to every individual day. or even…. every individual moment.
Like most of us, I sometimes get swept up in the big picture. The grand plan. In that respect, I ABSOLUTELY lead with my heart (sometimes, even at the expense of my head). I mean, 5 years ago I picked up my life in NYC, packed it in one suitcase, and moved it all the way across the country to LA with no job, no family, and no idea what was in store. nothing but faith. I’d say that qualifies as leading with the heart. BUT…. what about every day tasks? what about grocery shopping. or looking for parking? When i’m doing laundry…. am i doing laundry “with all my heart”? Well… maybe not. but WHY not? aren’t we reminded in every yoga class to be present in THIS moment? if so, wouldn’t it be wise, and maybe even make life a bit more joyful, if we DID do laundry, and buy groceries, and find parking with all our heart? Every moment we have is a truly special gift. i mean let’s face it. all we have to do is turn on the News for 5 minutes to be reminded of how fragile & precarious life is. and so MUCH of life is spent doing what might be considered menial, or mundane tasks. brushing our teeth, doing the dishes, getting dressed, running errands. but what if they weren’t mundane? what if we made a conscious effort to make those moments count just as richly as any other?
If we really want to make the most of the time we have, we won’t wait until the weekend, or our vacation, or the fulfillment of all our hopes and dreams, to be happy. we will create our own happiness NOW, by placing great value on these everyday tasks. perhaps we can shift our view. after all…. “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. what if…. we could make grocery shopping a reminder of how fortunate we are to be able to put food on the table. what if brushing our teeth was not just “brushing our teeth”, but rather, a commitment to longevity & wellness in the body. and so on….
so today, maybe make an intention to take the sage advice of Confucius, and “wherever you go, go with all your heart”. Even if, where you’re going….. is the laundromat.
Today I began a trip around the world. Not because I’m searching for something I’ve lost… Or because I want an escape from “real life”… Not even because I am literally & metaphorically embarking on a brand new phase of my life. I am traveling simply for the Joy.
I want to be carried on an epic adventure of beauty & culture. I want to take an exciting journey into the unknown, and find out what might be waiting there for me. I want to discover. To learn. To experience. To grow…. And to breathe. I want to be open to any and all experiences, and to let them touch my heart and my soul. I want to take a GIANT step into the World, and see what it’s all about!
Today… I took my first step on a journey that will take me to Costa Rica, Isla Mujeres, Hong Kong, Thailand, Bali, Australia, and New Zealand. Today… I begin this journal with: “Costa Rica- Day 1″.
I am traveling with my friend Jamie, who (interestingly) was the first person I met after I took another giant step into the World 5 years ago when I moved to L.A. we land in San Jose airport in a frenzy, because our flight is an hour and 12 minutes late, which means we have missed our connecting flight to the coastal surfing community of Mal Pais. There are no more flights out this afternoon, so it is suggested we stay in San Jose & fly out in the morning. Now… While I’m sure parts of San Jose are quite lovely indeed.. The holiday inn near the airport is not EXACTLY how we envisioned beginning our epic adventure through the rain forests of Central America. So… We decide instead to see some of this gorgeous country by taking a car, to a ferry, to an ATV to reach our resort in Mal Pais. This means our 20min flight, has become a 6 hour cross- country escapade… But even after 10 hours of airports & planes, we are game for the challenge!
Our driver Alex is jovial & helpful, and even jokes by teaching us some useful spanish phrases for Americans such as “where is the nearest Denny’s?” (hilarious). Alex speaks unbroken English, and when his cell phone rings, it plays “Aerosmith”. This cracks me up.
As we drive on, we pass a car which has broken down on the side of the road, and I notice the first major difference from Los Angeles. I do not see a man wearing Ed Hardy & texting on his cell phone while waiting for AAA. I see a man underneath his car, fixing it himself as his 6 year old daughter passes him the appropriate tools for the job.
Alex starts to step on the gas, as we are cutting it close to catching the LAST ferry out for the night, and with our luck making connections SO far, we figure we MAY not be able to rely on good kharma to get us there in time. We make it with 3 minutes to spare, and as I am dashing for the Boat, I am sincerely wishing I did not pack so many cute pairs of cargo pants b/c my backpack feels as though it may crush my clavicle if left to it’s own devises.
By some miracle, we board the ferry in time to witness the most spectacular sunset. The air is heavy & humid, but somehow…. Not sticky or hot. The breeze was perfection, and I got lost in a mediative trance of loveliness, as I witness the undiluted beauty of nature. On the 2 hour ride across the ocean, we see mountains and islands, and clouds that catch the twilight in a manner that cannot be described in words. We see fishermen and pelicans, and before long I feel as though my mind has cleared, and my body has decompressed. I breathe in the sweet evening air, and meditate on gratitude.
When we arrive on the peninsula, we are whisked away in an ATV by Alex’s friend Luis, who has a sign which reads “Jamie + Elice”, and who has been designated to carry us on the remainder of our journey. We hop in excitedly, and off we go! Along the way, I notice another difference from L.A. Every house we pass- without exception- has the front door wide open. there are no TVs on, and families are conversing and playing games on porches. This way of life seems somehow refreshing… To live without locks and bolts and 97 inch screens. A way of life that seems fully based on defining families and enjo
ying the moment. I love this.
Now- we were informed that Mal Pais is “off the beaten path”, but we were in for a bit of a surprise when the pavement became a dirt road, the dirt road became a trail, the trail became 2 tire tracks, and the tire tracks disintegrated into a barley perceptible path through the jungle. the vehicle was bouncing up and down and winding around bends for over an hour before we finally drove down the coast and came upon The secluded little private resort we booked online. It was…. In a word… Paradise! The pictures online made it look luxurious, but I had been convinced that at $40 a night each, it couldn’t live up to the expectations.
It FAR exceeded them! Our private cabana has it’s own hammock and the deluxe bathroom is open air, so I could see the stars as I showered off the long trip. Jamie and I were famished, so we went directly to the restaurant which is poolside under the stars. Here we were served fresh vegetables & fruits, which somehow taste better and richer than their American counterparts. We then ate the catch of the day, which was so fresh it was practically still swimming. To wash down all this island deliciousness I had an incredible local concoction that was simply fresh pineapple and crushed ice. No sugar. No additives…. Just divinity in a glass.
We went directly to the pool for a dip where I laid on a floating bed & stared at the night sky. It was here that I noticed a final stark difference from L.A…… The night sky. here in this secluded paradise…. Away from the big city, headlights on the 405 and smog…. The ebony sky looked like a gateway to another universe. I laid floating in awe. Enjoying the hypnotic effect of the dazzling stars. It takes a little time to develop the eyes to see this sky. First…. You are overwhelmed by the complete darkness of the night, and then stunned by the contrasting brilliance of Saturn, and the most prominent stars.
But then…. If you relax your vision and stare into the darkness with faith… more of the universe begins to reveal itself. Gradually… You begin to notice thousands of specks of light filling the darkness… Clusters of constellations and shooting stars passing so quickly that if you blink, you’d miss them. And all of a sudden, it seems as though something millions of light years away, is actually within your grasp.
5 Things I am grateful for today: 1) the meditation music on my ipod. 2) and my earphones 3) incredible traveling companions 4) Arnold Palmers 5) Being childish, playing with iPads and PS3s at ‘Best Buy’.
For Today’s blog, I decided to follow the lead of a very inspirational 90 year old woman in Cleveland Ohio, who compiled a list of the 50 most valuable life lessons she had learned. Reading it simultaneously brought tears to my eyes, a smile to my face, and joy to my heart. So in the spirit of commemorating my birthday AND “paying it forward”, I have compiled MY list of lessons to share… perhaps it will inspire you to write your own. Life is a gift… don’t wait until tomorrow to unwrap and enjoy it. CELEBRATE TODAY!
30 LIFE LESSONS
