Surrender to the Flow

Setting Intentions

Whether you practice yoga or not being a positive force in this world has to be created and maintained in the mind. Yoga practice is a vehicle, a space to allow us the time and freedom to express that intention. Making time to slow down the mind, clear the head and listen to your inner self will empower you to become full of light.

It is hard to hide and be in the dark when the light is shining on you.        

Set an intention today and the next day and next day and watch how all these positive intentions link up to fortify your existence in a warm, affirmative way.

~Stephanie "Totally Zen"

Speechless

This performance from the '07 Grammy's still leaves me speechless! 

Never too Late

One from the Vault

~untitled~

There's something comforting in
moving North...
Back to sanity and serenity
of the snow-capped peaks
and the mountains that grow
from the ocean side.
There's a peace in dreaming
and imagining the future -
about making life more
fruitful and abundant.

~Summer '98

Trying to Pick up the Pieces

So it's been awhile since I did a real update on here...so here goes...

Many of you already know that I am no longer married...I've been on my own for about 6 weeks now.  In this age of technology (blogs, Facebook, etc...) it presents a challenge when going through a situation like a divorce.  Our generation is so used to putting ourselves out there...it can become very difficult when the news going on in our lives is painful.  I love to write this blog and for the most part it really is for me...to go with the flow, to post my thoughts and document and share things that are meaningful to me.  I also do like to use this blog to update my friends & family on what's happening in my world.

Well my world has been turned upside down in the past month and a half.  I am certainly not going to go into details on here.  I have been communicating with people in my life about how I'm doing...but I have come to a point where I wanted to do an update on here.  I'm not usually much of a fan of "self-help" type books but I have started reading one that is really hitting home for me.  It's called "Rebuilding ~ When Your Relationship Ends" by Bruce Fisher.  I would recommend to anyone going through a divorce or break-up.  It's clear, concise and says the hard things that are sometimes more difficult to hear from the ones we love.  It's helping me realize that this is going to be a new journey (a very painful one) but that there can be light at the end of the tunnel, even if I'm in a tough place right now.

I started going to a new Yoga studio here in Portland that I'm really excited about.  I am going to start taking classes regularly there and also begin my Advanced Teacher Training.  It will probably take a few years to complete but I'm having very strong notions that I am heading in the right direction with this.  I believe that evolving through Yoga is going to help me heal as well and move forward with a new intention; one that is clear, simple, kind and humble.  I have a feeling I will me some nice, like-minded people through there too.

Summer is nearly here.  The Solstice is this coming weekend.  It is a bright time of life and longevity.  I want to celebrate it; to celebrate me.  I want to walk with my dog, bike, do Yoga, sit in the sun, read and be me again.  I can feel her starting to return...it goes in waves...it is making me re-think what it really means to surrender to this flow that is life...to learn how to take hold of the things we can control an to let go to those things that are out of our hands.

Ebb & Flow

"Every one of us
is called upon, probably many
times, to start a new life.
A frightening diagnosis, a
marriage, a move, loss of a job...
And onward full tilt we go,
pitched and wrecked and absurdly
resolute, driven in spite of
everything to make good on a
new shore.  To be hopeful, to
embrace one possibility after
another - that is surely the basic
instinct.... Crying out: High tide!
Time to move out into the
glorious debris.  Time to take
this life for what it is."

~Barbara Kingsolver
From High Tide In Tucson

Let it be Me

sticks and stones
battle zones
a single light bulb
on a single thread for the black
sirens wail
history fails
rose-colored glass
begins to age and crack
while the politicians shadowbox
the power ring
in an endless split decision
never solve anything
from a neighbor's distant land
i heard the strain of the common man

let it be me
(this is not a fighting song)
let it be me
(not a wrong for a wrong)
let it be me
if the world is night
shine my life like a light

well the world seems spent
and the president
has no good idea
of who the masses are
well i'm one of them
and i'm among friends
we're trying to see beyond
the fences in our own backyards
i've seen the kingdoms blow
like ashes in the winds of change
but the power of truth
is the fuel for the flame
so the darker the ages get
there's a stronger beacon yet

let it be me
(this is not a fighting song)
let it be me
(not a wrong for a wrong)
let it be me
if the world is night
shine my life like a light

in the kind word you speak
in the turn of the cheek
when your vision stays clear
in the face of your fear
then you see turning out a light switch
is their only power
when we stand like spotlights
in a mighty tower
all for one and one for all
then we sing the common call

let it be me
(this is not a fighting song)
let it be me
(not a wrong for a wrong)
let it be me
if the world is night
shine my life like a light

~"Let it be Me" ~ Indigo Girls