Saturday, February 9, 2013

My Baby Diamond

Inspiration: To continue to let go of attachments while remaining at peace.

It was a snowy Friday evening. The East Coast was in the midst of receiving the blizzard known as Nemo, due to be the largest snowfall since 1978. So as everyone was preparing for this winter wonderland, there was not much to do. I decided to go to the local gym and perform an elongated workout, take a good steam and shower. No yoga class today.:(

I had left the facility after 5pm and  walked in the steady downfall of white mass to pick up some last minute groceries in case I would go hungry...Upon my arrival home, I took off my abundant layers of clothing, scarfed down my dinner (was famished) and then settled into my evening. As I always put my hair back when I dine, after dinner I had noticed that I only had three earrings in my left ear. I have four piercings and one was gone. It was the ONE, I was most sentimental about. My baby diamond.

I was gifted this by my parents at a very young age, I believe it was the fifth grade, and it always reminds me of being a kid. So to gaze upon my ear without this adornment, was a bit startling. After just a few minutes, I decided to practice what I know to be true; to let go of attachment, especially material ones. Somehow, if I was meant to find it, it would just show up (mind you it is quite tiny). While looking to replace it, size wise, I found a petite sapphire post. given to me by my ex-husband that I swore I would never put in my ear. Maybe it is all the yoga I have been doing, so I said to myself, "Does it really matter anyway?" It is just stuff?"

So I put on this earring and decided not to focus on it and my lost diamond. For the rest of the night, I went about my business, watching a few movies and settled into my cave. When I awoke this morning, I noticed something in my bed sheets. I was "amazed' at what I laid my eyes upon. It was the diamond! I smiled, and smiled and smiled.. This was a  gentle, loving reminder, that if we truly let go, things show up. I truly thought I would never see this earring again.

As there are many, many things I am working on shedding, I will use this instance as a loving reminder to be present and surrender any attachments I may hold in my mind and heart. This continues to be an ongoing practice (and patience) for me as there are specifics areas that have been a challenge. So for right now, I am just grateful! Grateful for the message and inspiration I learned.

A lovingly reminder that the Universe works in "mysterious" ways...Be open, be love. Always.

With Love, Denise

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Prada and The Butterfly

Inspiration: Everything exists, everywhere, anytime...

Two yogi friends meet for lunch at a local vegan restaurant. One a creative fashion designer, stylist, with impeccable taste, the other a holistic, intuitive fitness and yoga teacher. This is the first time the two have ventured out of the confines of the local studio where they practice, where amazing insights and conversations have occurred.

So on this Wednesday afternoon, the pair sit for over two hours; discussing everything from life, love, spirituality and healthy living. As if they have know each other for some time. After their divine meal of fried tempeh over healthy greens, with two sides of peanut dressing was finished, the check arrived. Both pulled out their wallets. One, a gorgeous, black Prada, the other a cotton material pouch with a butterfly emblem as its adornment.

You can probably guess who had which wallet. The stylist, the Prada; the teacher, the butterfly. They found it very comical after talking about materialism and how the fashionista has splurged on many a $5000 bag. How it held very little importance after the "thrill" of having coveted it. A gentle and loving reminder that it is not what we have, but how we FEEL....about everything.

Well the butterfly owner was me, and I have never owned a bag of such prominence and probably never will: unless someone gifts me with one. :) Both of us smiled and laughed at the whole experience. How everything exists and how in the end it really doesn't matter. What really matters is:

How fully did I live? How fully did I love?
How fully did I learn to let go?....Jack  Kornfield.

And, she did like my butterfly...

With Love, Denise


Friday, February 1, 2013

Football and Yoga

Inspiration: To continue to find the humor and surprise in all ways.

It was a Thursday evening. Three yogis gather early before class begins. One, the creative director for a prominent magazine, one a vegan restaurant owner and the other moi. We all know one another and briefly catch up with the minutia of the week. Then, I posed the question, " Does anyone know who is playing in the Superbowl this Sunday?"

I found it rather interesting, intriguing, rather "comical", that neither of these two men knew who was playing. The Superbowl... One of the most highly anticipated and crafted sporting events of the year and none of us knew who the teams were. We were talking more about, "Do you think people will be at yoga class on Sunday at 6pm?" I know, I will for sure. And the yoga teacher teaching, who is a heterosexual man,  will not sub out his class to view this spectacle.

Why do I scribe this right now? Because what we focus on an what is a priority; is what is important to us. That doesn't make us right or wrong, it is just a preference. Football/Yoga? Yoga/Football? To assume that everyone knows something about this event is a judgment. Should we know? We know what we pay attention to. Where our energy is directed at any given moment. What moves us, inspires us.

So it is safe to say, the three of us, prefer to OM and flow, to empty ourselves and expand our Spirits. What moves you? Inspires you? The modality is not what is paramount, it is the feeling behind it... And I do know a fellow yogi friend ,who played football in college and loves the Sunday night class. Wonder if he will be there. Just sayin...:)

Make it a "blissful" day!
With Love, Denise