Self-Love

Learning that if I am to be able to give back at all, I have to take time for myself. It used to feel selfish, but now I have realized that it's simply an act of self-love. Do the yoga (thank you for your class and your voice today Michele Medeiros) and savor the cup of great coffee (thank you Open Mikes) and take care of yourself, dammit. You're all you've got.

 

Surrender

Day 8: Surrender

I have always been what I jokingly refer to as a "control enthusiast". Maybe not quite a freak about control, but probably more serious an issue than my "enthusiasm" jokes would let you believe. Traumas at a young age led to eating disorders, attachment, abandonment, and trust issues. None of that is special or unique to me. It is all textbook, yet that textbook can contain a world of pain inside its pages.

This photo is me face down on the floor, announcing to myself and everyone else that 2017 will be the year I surrender. I will surrender my control, my need for control, and the issues that made me desperately believe I needed the control in the first place. Life is a series of obstacles, ups and downs, traumas and miracles, love and loss. It will happen with me or without me, and with my consent or without it. I do not need to give life permission to happen, but I need to give myself permission to allow that life to happen. No expectations, no need to control or change outcomes. I am a survivor, not a victim. A humble witness. I surrender.

Word of the Year 2017

I've chosen my word of the year for 2017: practice.
It is not the word I originally wanted to choose. It came to me as I was on my knees, face to the floor, eyes closed, trying to calm my heart and dry a tear during a moving yoga class.

Every day when I wake up, I have the chance to start again, not just on the new year. I can practice being the best version of myself every time I wake up.

Every time I meet a friend or family member, any person, any animal, I can practice love and gratitude.

Every time I look in a mirror, I can practice acceptance and learn to love myself.
Every time I step onto my yoga mat, I have the chance to start something fresh and new, a new practice.

Every time I feel pain, I can practice being honest and vulnerable.

Every time I read the news, I can practice compassion.

Every time I wash clothes, I can practice folding them instead of ignoring them. Or I can practice giving things away.

Every time I listen to a song, I can practice singing. I can practice art, music, speaking, listening, friendship, trust, yoga, running, breathing, kindness, empathy, humility, appreciation, love.

Life is a practice, not a performance. We never have to be perfect, we just have to show up.
Live on, practice on. ❤️

2017 Goals

2017 goals. Ready, set ..

Decide - ✔️

Announce - ✔️

Register - 

DO -

Honor Yourself

Be as intentional about the information that you consume as you are about the food that you put in your body. They both matter a lot, perhaps more than you think they do. Pay attention to how you feel when you read certain things or listen to things. Don't engage in conversations about subjects that will only upset you. Unfollow people if necessary. Enforce boundaries. Say no to things that you don't want to do, or to people you don't want to spend time with. Let go of things that don't serve you. Listen to yourself. Honor yourself. Let your soul breathe.

This right here is my lesson to myself for today, for this week, for this month and year, for-freaking -ever and ever, amen.

Morning mantra

Morning mantra:

"You are either now here or nowhere."

~Baron Baptiste 

Shelves are up, jewels are out, bring on the good vibes! 😍💖✌🏻️

Yoga Necklaces!

I made some super cute, simple and minimal yoga necklaces, coming soon to a studio near you! If you want one, let me know! 

Breathing Together

Breathing together

of all things

I find myself

awakened

revelling in every drop

of anticipation

dripping wet in the ripe, rich fruit

of life

flowing

effortlessly

into the unexpected joy

of being alive.

~Mary Oliver