I tried to warn myself...

I woke this morning, at 6am, to the moo-ing of someones escaped cow in the yard, dogs barking, howling, making a fuss... I thought, oh boy, this is going to be a day. I tried to sleep but tossed and turned thinking-surely they will be quiet soon.

A few simple, but important, things were on the docket as "supposed to happen today" skype dates with a long lost love, and exciting weekend plans sorted out... When I awoke to this moo, I actually thought, don't get too excited, don't have any expectations for todays outcome.

But I'm a girl of hope, a cup half full, find the best in people, live life kind of girl and as all the plans I was excited about today diminished one by one, my spirit went with it. "I'm always giving, I'm always offering, I'm always... setting myself up for disappointment?

Living a life of hope isn't as easy as it would seem, it takes work and that work occasionally involves two or more people. Does hope have a definition when more than just yourself is involved? Is hope something that can only happen when you can only hope with yourself as to not be disappointed in anyone but your own expectations and avoidance of being let down?

I don't know, but in my quest for this answer I have learned that for me, I will continue to have hope in myself and in other people. Being disappointed brings a third chakra push, and that push makes me feel alive. It asks me to continue having hope that people will eventually start to understand, and if they don't, that is on them, and that is not my shit.

I will continue to have hope, and I'm sure I will continue to be occasionally disappointed. The duality of life shows me that its okay, for without disappointment would there be an observed gain of happiness?

"May the wind always be on your back and the sun always upon your face

and may the winds of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars..."

Stitches

I have this cut, it's kind of big and it needed stitches... It's going to take some time to heal. Every few days something happens-And I know it's time to take out one stitch! It's a bit surreal, sometimes I want to hold onto my stitches, to not let them go, to scar.

Then I yoga.

I breathe in expansion. 

I recognize that there will always be a memory, a taste of my past wound. I may talk about it, I may not, but one way or another I will love it, for it is a part of me and it always will be. But sometimes the stitches itch, so I must slowly remove them, one by one, breathing in and breathing out. Taking in the moment and the feel of releasing the sew from my skins bind. Sometimes a tear will fall, but in the end it's all ok. 

Why? 

Because I was gentle. I was observant. I gave myself permission to feel...

And that's how I was able to heal.

Just Keep Living

There was a time, not so long ago, where I was in this process of letting go... Ya know the whole idea of non attachment, Aparigraha from the Yamas & Niyamas. It's hard when you love someone but you have to let them be who they are and let them live the life they want, with or without you. So you let it go, and you let it be. I was having a hard time letting this go, but it was the culmination of someone wrecking and totaling my car, plus someone hacking my bank account and stealing all my money for me to realize that to be patient and to not let things get stuck you literally have to keep moving.

Move through the gunk...

After sorting through everything, buying myself a car payment that I didn't necessarily want for a car that I absolutely love, and getting reimbursed from my bank a week later, everything came together the day before I was to travel to Colorado for a long weekend. 

As I hiked up to a little spot called Horsetooth with my best friend, I put one foot in front of the other, I realized that is all of life. One step in front of the other, move through the gunk, live, smile, and love, love, love. Let go, Aparigraha, the others side, the top of the mountain, is beautiful and worth the hike.

Live, Love, Laugh and Wonder!

Recently I took a little trip over the big blue sea to Thailand, Cambodia, and the Great Wall of China. An amazing experience filled with new and unexpected friendships and more pins on my world map. All things I love about travel. 

While in Cambodia, I had the opportunity to visit Angkor Wat, ancient ruins from the 1200's, a beautiful site set for a king. While in Thailand, I had the opportunity to explore ancient Wats in Bangkok (and leave my phone in a hot pink cab with a Buddha on the dash-while frustrating, humbling). While at The Great Wall I had the opportunity to stand on this wonder of the world and gaze across vast valleys and mountains. At all of these sites I had the opportunity to truly wonder... 

I wonder what it was like at Angkor Wat during its hayday, people roaming in and out of the twisting hallways, but with intention.

I wonder what it was like in Bangkok hundreds of years ago when there were no tourists visiting the reclining Buddha and visitors lit their incense and said a prayer with intention.

I wonder what it was like on the Great Wall of China, to be the emperor, just seeing the conclusion of the project you put so much intention into.

Then I start to think how I want to live everyday with intention. I don't want to just mosey through life, I want to live it, I want to love, I want to take chances, I want to wonder.

So my challenge for you, is to take a day, take a week, take a vacation and be bold, set intentions, live those intentions and watch the wonderment unfold!

Embrace life, hold the sun in the palm of your hand and make a promise to yourself... Live, love, laugh and wonder! 

Time to Elevé!

Hey Triad North Carolina, there is a new yoga studio in town and you MUST check it out! Situated in the heart of downtown Kernersville, NC is an old factory, that for years was run down and simply rubbish. It has now been refurbished and all of the character saved. Exposed beams, wooden floors, and just enough of an industrial look to give this place the unique and beautiful look it deserves, this is where you will find Studio Elevé.

As yoga grows in popularity so does the price for a class, Studio Elevé is keeping things chill and keeping prices affordable. I have been to a lot of studios that are not nearly as nice and they charge close to $20 per class. Studio Elevé offers classes with well trained teacher of both yoga and dance. They are authentic in their being and in their teaching. Can I mention the studio is beautiful! 

Mark McCullough cofounded Studio Elevé with Christine Spizzo who is very well recognized in the ballet community. Mark has taught with her in the arts and dance community for years, specifically with the NC School of the Arts. Their spirits are true and their hearts in the right place, simply bringing what they love, what has transformed their lives so much, to the local community at a price that speaks volumes. 

Kernersville, Winston Salem, Oak Ridge, ya best get your stretchy pants ready and head over to check it out. In addition to yoga they also offer dance, zumba, tai chi, pilates, and hoop dance. Check out their website, www.studioeleve.com, find them on Facebook-Studio Elevé-and make sure you stop in for a class. They are offering couples yoga over valentines day weekend for $25, 3 hours and includes yoga, wine, and chocolate all local from the factory shops!!