Those people.

 
Path, journey, thing…whatever you call it; this is life. Has anyone ever asked you to tell a bit about the most influential people you have met along your path, journey, thing?  Nobody has ever asked me that question, but it is a good one.  I think I will take a moment to give those people a shoutout.

There is my father, Dad. I had 40 years with him, and he influenced me in ways that I was never able to tell him, partially because I didn’t even know he did it.  He encouraged holism before anyone even used that word. He was kind. He loved in the best way that he could every day, and he used every day to learn how to love “better.” He was fascinated by the human body, always doing the best he could to treat it with respect. Always the naturalist, but never judgmental. When he died, a part of him was born into me, and I understood what my new role was.

There are my teachers; a bunch of them. Mrs. Lowry in 4th grade , Ms. Babcock in 5th grade, Mr. Huntress in 8th grade. Those teachers that I remember for the way they made me feel, because I don’t remember what they said (except of course “Rabbits!”- Ms. Babcock wrote that on the board every first of the month and I still say it.) I felt safe with them, and I felt smart; like I could do anything.  They made me want to work harder to make them see that I was capable, and I started believing in myself.

Dr. Ruta Nonacs saved my life, just by listening every Wednesday for 50 minutes at a time when life seemed hopeless. Shoutout to you my friend, for without you, my journey would have ended about 21 years ago.

There’s Greg McDonald.  I’m married to him. He’s my biggest fan (he tells me all of the time.)  He’s a wonderful father, and he walks this path next to me.  Not easy: both staying next to me and the journey. 🙂

Shane McDonald, for his courage, wit, and depth of character. Hope McDonald for being the best friend I have ever seen a person be. Emma McDonald, for her inner strength and understanding of self. Chad McDonald, for the bottomless well of kindness in his heart that he shares with the world. Remy McDonald, our GoldenDoodle for just putting up with me and loving our family unconditionally for the 12 great years he had here.

Of course I meet inspirational people every day.  These were just a few I thought about today.

Carry on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

keeping on…

Transition. Flux. Shift. Moving on.

In life, this is a certainty.

We transition daily.  Looking into the past, we may see changes bathed in regret; the would haves…the should haves…the if onlys.  However, if enough time has passed, we may be able to see with clear eyes that whatever change we encountered helped us to grow in some way.

Looking toward the future we may see change clouded with anxiety.  The “what ifs” begin to create stories in our minds.  Often we become fearful of what may happen.  If we are truly living in the present moment – the present minute, there is no room for fear.  That moment instead is filled with strength and gratitude; with the knowledge that no matter what the next moment brings, we will keep moving forward.  You see, we human beings are resilient and strong.  We keep on going.  We are able to lean on the fact that every single human being is also “keeping on.”

Ultimately,  we grow through change.  We build empathy and therefore compassion.  We can use this opportunity to become kinder to one another along this journey that we all share.  No one is walking along this path alone.  Quite the contrary.  We are all connected.

Consider those moments between what was and what will be. Fill them with strength and the knowledge that whatever is coming is not to be feared.  When viewed with clarity,  it is merely that…what it is.

Welcome your transitions as gracefully as possible, and you may just find a bit more ease in your days.

Asanas and me.

 

My practice of yoga postures or asanas is the practice of creating space in my body so that when I leave my yoga mat, that space remains. Emotions and thoughts are free to enter and flow through my mind without attachment.

Asana is one part of my yoga practice. Sometimes my asana practice is difficult and messy. Sometimes I fall, and I get up again. I place my body in situations with mindful intention. For me, this translates off the mat into finding a bit more ease along life’s journey.

Asana practice is remembering that all things are impermanent. The discomfort or even fear in a pose is temporary, as is this precious human life.

Asana practice is a moving meditation for me.  When I am linking breath with movement, the only thing I can do is be present.

Asana practice is a tool and a metaphor for mindful living.

Set and an intention that is pure. Work mindfully toward the fulfillment of that intention. You will struggle. You may fall. You will get back up. You may lose your breath, and you will always come back to it. You will create the space to accept these truths because both the physical body and the mind are opened and tension is released. Judgement is abandoned and the present truth is accepted.

When practiced with pure intention in mind, asana practice creates positive energy and merit that we can then dedicate to other sentient beings in their struggle to find happiness.

Asana may be difficult, and for good reason. The difficulty of a balance like Warrior 3 is nothing compared to the intricacies of human relationships. It is what I learn on my mat with dedicated practice that guides me and helps me face truths about myself, others, and the world we live in. In facing these truths, I am always practicing yoga.

A flag doesn’t hold on to the wind, yet it couldn’t be more immersed in it. Our job is not to stop or gather the life of feeling but to let it keep moving through us, the way a flag opens itself to the wind.

-Mark Nepo  from The One Live We’re Given