Inspiration: To continue to get "in touch" with what is really transpiring in each moment.
Misunderstandings. Those situations where individuals see things in a very different light. To my "surprise" last night this happened to me. After spending a lovely evening with a very special person, I had said "Thank You" to show my appreciation. On this particular occasion, I said this louder and with more heart than I usually have. To my complete surprise, this began a conversation I would never had imagined.
Without going into too much story, I have spent some months open my heart and exploring friendship of a romantic nature. I believe I always ( well usually as I am human) expressed my gratitude for our time and "sweet" outings together. However, on this particular night after saying "thank you", I was given the following information. This kind and very soulful man, told me "this is the first time I ever heard you say thank you." Something that had been on his mind for some time, but could not find the right opportunity to convey this to me. I have always believed I had expressed my gratitude. After hearing this I was saddened, dumbfounded.
After contemplating a bit more ( I am such the thinker), I realized that the majority of the time, I did express my gratitude. However, I realize I did not project my voice loud enough, or maybe I did say it in my head.... who knows. So I now lovingly convey this information to self and others. The reason I share this now, is that it is so easy to lack the words or the appreciation (and timing) to show others how we feel.
So I trust this is another opportunity to go deeper, into the way I communicate, my language and volume. May we all find the right words to express ourselves in all ways.
Have a very "peaceful" day.
With Love, D
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
My EGO in Yoga
Inspiration: To continue to be aware of when my ego is taking over the experience.
Yoga, yoga, yoga and more yoga. The choices, classes and teachers are endless. The best way to decide is to feel what is right for you in the moment. This past weekend, I felt a yin for devotion. So I sought out a new teacher who I never practiced with before.
So at 3pm on Sunday, I find myself at Jivamukti yoga. A place I have practiced at on and off for years, depending on what I needed. Class usually begins with chanting and devotion. But on this day we started with some puttering in downdog and chaturanga. Then began the devotional piece. What I was hoping for was something uplifting, transformative that invoked a specific god or goddess. Instead what we received was " Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu"...translation:
May all beings everywhere be happy and free and may the thoughts words and actions of my own life in some way contribute to that happiness and freedom for all...Beautiful, right?
Not for me. Not at that moment. My EGO wanted something more, greater. I was annoyed, especially since we chanted this endlessly ( at least it felt that way). But after the teacher began to explain devotion more eloquently, I slowly began to dissolve my judgments and allow surrender in. When the first tune began to play, I loved it! It uplifted me... Needless to say, after listening more closely, the chant was Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu.
Class was beautiful, ecstatic and flowing. Tamir Samir is a lovely teacher. Another example of me softening my ego in yoga ."You can't always get what you want, you get what you need"...RStones
Have a very "peaceful" day.
With Love, Denise
Yoga, yoga, yoga and more yoga. The choices, classes and teachers are endless. The best way to decide is to feel what is right for you in the moment. This past weekend, I felt a yin for devotion. So I sought out a new teacher who I never practiced with before.
So at 3pm on Sunday, I find myself at Jivamukti yoga. A place I have practiced at on and off for years, depending on what I needed. Class usually begins with chanting and devotion. But on this day we started with some puttering in downdog and chaturanga. Then began the devotional piece. What I was hoping for was something uplifting, transformative that invoked a specific god or goddess. Instead what we received was " Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu"...translation:
May all beings everywhere be happy and free and may the thoughts words and actions of my own life in some way contribute to that happiness and freedom for all...Beautiful, right?
Not for me. Not at that moment. My EGO wanted something more, greater. I was annoyed, especially since we chanted this endlessly ( at least it felt that way). But after the teacher began to explain devotion more eloquently, I slowly began to dissolve my judgments and allow surrender in. When the first tune began to play, I loved it! It uplifted me... Needless to say, after listening more closely, the chant was Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu.
Class was beautiful, ecstatic and flowing. Tamir Samir is a lovely teacher. Another example of me softening my ego in yoga ."You can't always get what you want, you get what you need"...RStones
Have a very "peaceful" day.
With Love, Denise
Monday, May 23, 2011
How Does Time Limit Us?
Inspiration: In truth, time does not exist. It is ALL happening now...
Time. We are slaves to the clock, our schedules and our own agendas. We may feel that we are running out of time. What does that really mean?
Yesterday, I was immersed in a six hour bhakti devotional class for my yoga training. As it turned out, I was facing directly in front of the clock. My first response was " this day is gonna last forever". My friend offered to turn the clock around but I insisted it stay in the exact place it was. The reason being, I needed to confront my attachment to the clock and time STANDING still.....As I continued to stare at the clock for most of the day, I had moments of complete release to the teacher and the subject. In those moments, I felt time did not exist as I enjoyed these insights and musings.
I share this with you because at times, (hence time) we may all feel stuck. Such thoughts as "I am not where I am supposed to be.....When will this or that happen....I can't wait any longer." If we could just accept where we are and let go of our ego agendas of the how and when, a lot more space would be created within. These are the seeds of creation. Then time does not hold us hostage. We allow each moment to be as it should be; to enjoy what is. This takes practice and patience.
So I invite you all lovingly to embrace time. This moment, right now. Allow for the sweetness and the unexpected to happen.....:-)
With Love, Denise
Time. We are slaves to the clock, our schedules and our own agendas. We may feel that we are running out of time. What does that really mean?
Yesterday, I was immersed in a six hour bhakti devotional class for my yoga training. As it turned out, I was facing directly in front of the clock. My first response was " this day is gonna last forever". My friend offered to turn the clock around but I insisted it stay in the exact place it was. The reason being, I needed to confront my attachment to the clock and time STANDING still.....As I continued to stare at the clock for most of the day, I had moments of complete release to the teacher and the subject. In those moments, I felt time did not exist as I enjoyed these insights and musings.
I share this with you because at times, (hence time) we may all feel stuck. Such thoughts as "I am not where I am supposed to be.....When will this or that happen....I can't wait any longer." If we could just accept where we are and let go of our ego agendas of the how and when, a lot more space would be created within. These are the seeds of creation. Then time does not hold us hostage. We allow each moment to be as it should be; to enjoy what is. This takes practice and patience.
So I invite you all lovingly to embrace time. This moment, right now. Allow for the sweetness and the unexpected to happen.....:-)
With Love, Denise
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
The Mysterious Flowers
Inspiration: To continue to believe in miracles...
A short, true tidbit from Mothers Day......On Sunday evening, I received a call from my mom saying "Thank you for the flowers, they are different." This was after I had taken an "amazing" yoga class at Pure Yoga with one of my favorites Ariel Karass. Not only is this man soulful, kind and creative; he has the unique ability to bring tears to my eyes with his words before we begin to FLOW.
Anyway, back to mom. So I give my mom a call after working through my feelings. Again, she says "thank you for the flowers." I reply " Really? Did I send some." to which she really does say YES. I thought about it but did not send them. There were really flowers delivered to her. I asked if there was a card and she said it must have fallen off. Talk about the twilight zone......To whatever "powers" that be, I say a big THANK YOU. In the real world, this must have been meant for someone else, but in the world of "spirit" or the divine, these were meant for my mom. :-)
Another reminder, that there are powers beyond our rational understanding that are at work. I savor in these divine events that cannot be explained by the rational. So whenever you have doubt, try to hold space for possibility beyond your conscious comprehension.
Have a very "peaceful " evening.
With Love, Denise
A short, true tidbit from Mothers Day......On Sunday evening, I received a call from my mom saying "Thank you for the flowers, they are different." This was after I had taken an "amazing" yoga class at Pure Yoga with one of my favorites Ariel Karass. Not only is this man soulful, kind and creative; he has the unique ability to bring tears to my eyes with his words before we begin to FLOW.
Anyway, back to mom. So I give my mom a call after working through my feelings. Again, she says "thank you for the flowers." I reply " Really? Did I send some." to which she really does say YES. I thought about it but did not send them. There were really flowers delivered to her. I asked if there was a card and she said it must have fallen off. Talk about the twilight zone......To whatever "powers" that be, I say a big THANK YOU. In the real world, this must have been meant for someone else, but in the world of "spirit" or the divine, these were meant for my mom. :-)
Another reminder, that there are powers beyond our rational understanding that are at work. I savor in these divine events that cannot be explained by the rational. So whenever you have doubt, try to hold space for possibility beyond your conscious comprehension.
Have a very "peaceful " evening.
With Love, Denise
Sunday, May 8, 2011
How Much Should We Sacrifice For Our Mom?
Inspiration: To do what feels right, especially when it comes to family.
Happy Mothers Day! A day when mothers are celebrated for being loving, caring, compassionate and nurturing to their children. Today they are doted on with flowers and gifts. While this is a lovely day to honor them, sometimes guilt or should's arise. On a very personal level I will explain. I adore my mom.
We used to be "best friends". I told her everything, well, almost.:-). Believing in unconditional love from a parent, I thought that whatever I was feeling I could share. Big, huge mistake.
While having dinner with a friend last night she asks "Are you going home for Mother's Day? To this question, my answer is no......Without going into story, at that moment situations from early on in my childhood arose, with specific details I have not remembered in decades. This brought up a lot of the old wounding I thought was already cleared through varies modalities. Interesting, how the body holds onto painful memories.
The reason I share this with you now, is the "awakening" (they keep on coming) into why I (we) experience feelings in seemingly unrelated situations that push my buttons. It is not the situations per se, it is the underlying emotions that we bury, deep, inside that are triggered by certain people. For years, I have allowed these unconscious emotions to spiral. Through my own journey and love of yoga and healing, this is softening. Many tears have fallen over the past few days. This has created more space within as my heart is opening more fully. :-)
So today, mothers day, I will spend taking care of me, the divine feminine, mother energy. I will send love and blessings to my mother with the deepest intention of her finding her own truth, clarity and freedom. Honor thyself, without guilt. Be loving, be soulful, be free.....
Have a very "peaceful" day.
With Love, Denise
Happy Mothers Day! A day when mothers are celebrated for being loving, caring, compassionate and nurturing to their children. Today they are doted on with flowers and gifts. While this is a lovely day to honor them, sometimes guilt or should's arise. On a very personal level I will explain. I adore my mom.
We used to be "best friends". I told her everything, well, almost.:-). Believing in unconditional love from a parent, I thought that whatever I was feeling I could share. Big, huge mistake.
While having dinner with a friend last night she asks "Are you going home for Mother's Day? To this question, my answer is no......Without going into story, at that moment situations from early on in my childhood arose, with specific details I have not remembered in decades. This brought up a lot of the old wounding I thought was already cleared through varies modalities. Interesting, how the body holds onto painful memories.
The reason I share this with you now, is the "awakening" (they keep on coming) into why I (we) experience feelings in seemingly unrelated situations that push my buttons. It is not the situations per se, it is the underlying emotions that we bury, deep, inside that are triggered by certain people. For years, I have allowed these unconscious emotions to spiral. Through my own journey and love of yoga and healing, this is softening. Many tears have fallen over the past few days. This has created more space within as my heart is opening more fully. :-)
So today, mothers day, I will spend taking care of me, the divine feminine, mother energy. I will send love and blessings to my mother with the deepest intention of her finding her own truth, clarity and freedom. Honor thyself, without guilt. Be loving, be soulful, be free.....
Have a very "peaceful" day.
With Love, Denise
Sunday, April 24, 2011
A Lack Of Awareness
Inspiration: To continue to speak my truth, kindly...
Yesterday was a Friday. Not just any Friday. The last full day of this "intense" Mercury retrograde cycle. A time when I know it is in my best interest to mind my our business and be still. So since I was in need of stillness and silence, I decided not to practice yoga with a group and do a self-practice.
So here it is almost 4:45pm and I decided to visit the lovely yoga studio at my local Equinox club two blocks away. I was a bit hesitant, and will explain why....The moment I arrived in the studio, there were no yoga mats. They were being washed. NOT one mat. So I go downstairs and begin to complain, like a typical New Yorker (yes, some judgment here, but working on it). The staff finds me a mat and I proceed to listen to a rockin yoga mix and do my thing.
When it came time to final relaxation, I felt yummy, wrapped in a myriad of blankets. In a short time, I hear the door open. A membership advisor is touring some potential members. Upon turning the light on they realize there is someone "sleeping" on the floor, so they quickly depart...Maybe a few minutes later, I hear the sound of footsteps, yet again. This time it was a couple. I feel brightness come through my eyelids. Then, the stereo is being fiddled with. I was annoyed, pissed, agitated. You get the point. Normally I would just walk out, with a possible dirty look but I decided differently.
As I rose from this calming position, I started to address the male in the room. I said " It would be respectful if you had asked to put the music on." His response was " You looked relaxed and peaceful." Was he kidding? I couldn't help but lash out a bit at him. Not the best tone, but something I am consciously working on. Without going into more story, I said my peace and left. Communication is something I need to work on, saying my peace, coming from my truth so I can express how I feel in all areas. Many times this is difficult for me and I can seem unkind. A dear "friend" of mine is helping me to clear this and be more aware. So thank you, M.:-)
Some of us may exhibit more conscious awareness than others. Does this make us any better? The answer is no. It just makes us more present to what is going on around us. Think about it and have a "sweet" day...
With Love, D
Yesterday was a Friday. Not just any Friday. The last full day of this "intense" Mercury retrograde cycle. A time when I know it is in my best interest to mind my our business and be still. So since I was in need of stillness and silence, I decided not to practice yoga with a group and do a self-practice.
So here it is almost 4:45pm and I decided to visit the lovely yoga studio at my local Equinox club two blocks away. I was a bit hesitant, and will explain why....The moment I arrived in the studio, there were no yoga mats. They were being washed. NOT one mat. So I go downstairs and begin to complain, like a typical New Yorker (yes, some judgment here, but working on it). The staff finds me a mat and I proceed to listen to a rockin yoga mix and do my thing.
When it came time to final relaxation, I felt yummy, wrapped in a myriad of blankets. In a short time, I hear the door open. A membership advisor is touring some potential members. Upon turning the light on they realize there is someone "sleeping" on the floor, so they quickly depart...Maybe a few minutes later, I hear the sound of footsteps, yet again. This time it was a couple. I feel brightness come through my eyelids. Then, the stereo is being fiddled with. I was annoyed, pissed, agitated. You get the point. Normally I would just walk out, with a possible dirty look but I decided differently.
As I rose from this calming position, I started to address the male in the room. I said " It would be respectful if you had asked to put the music on." His response was " You looked relaxed and peaceful." Was he kidding? I couldn't help but lash out a bit at him. Not the best tone, but something I am consciously working on. Without going into more story, I said my peace and left. Communication is something I need to work on, saying my peace, coming from my truth so I can express how I feel in all areas. Many times this is difficult for me and I can seem unkind. A dear "friend" of mine is helping me to clear this and be more aware. So thank you, M.:-)
Some of us may exhibit more conscious awareness than others. Does this make us any better? The answer is no. It just makes us more present to what is going on around us. Think about it and have a "sweet" day...
With Love, D
Friday, April 22, 2011
Mala Beads
Inspiration: To continue to be "inspired" in some way.
Greetings...It has been over a month since I have scribed something here. Not for lack of inspiration, for lack of energy. The yoga teacher training program I am currently enrolled in is "draining" my life force. Unless we practice asana, which has not been enough, the time is spent sitting on the floor. Being 45 (or any age) and sitting on the hardwood floor, plus some blankets is not the cat's meow. So this past week has been spent (and am in process) reclaiming my energy....
At teacher training last weekend, we were required to bring in a set of mala beads. For those unfamiliar with what these are, it is a long necklace made up of either wood or fancy crystals. I opted for the "simple" sandlewood kind, being it is my first one.:-) These beads are used to count manta, or devotion. There are 108 beads on each mala. The number combination 108 is sacred ( astrology , maybe). Anyway, we were introduced to how to use the mala and various chants to help us ground and connect to the divine.
I have been wearing these around my neck quite often since then. At a health club this week, a few hard-core lifters I know casually (model like), commented on these. They were drawn in some way. Said they looked "tribal" and asked where to get them. This was music to my ears (and heart). Whether or not they were aware, there was some vibration that was emanating from these. A reminder that you never know where you can inspire and be inspired. So with this, I did share a bit of about these beads.
The gift I received that day is you never know where and when you can inspire others. Maybe they needed something "spiritual" at that moment, or maybe they just really liked the beads....Have a very "sweet" day.
With Love, D
Greetings...It has been over a month since I have scribed something here. Not for lack of inspiration, for lack of energy. The yoga teacher training program I am currently enrolled in is "draining" my life force. Unless we practice asana, which has not been enough, the time is spent sitting on the floor. Being 45 (or any age) and sitting on the hardwood floor, plus some blankets is not the cat's meow. So this past week has been spent (and am in process) reclaiming my energy....
At teacher training last weekend, we were required to bring in a set of mala beads. For those unfamiliar with what these are, it is a long necklace made up of either wood or fancy crystals. I opted for the "simple" sandlewood kind, being it is my first one.:-) These beads are used to count manta, or devotion. There are 108 beads on each mala. The number combination 108 is sacred ( astrology , maybe). Anyway, we were introduced to how to use the mala and various chants to help us ground and connect to the divine.
I have been wearing these around my neck quite often since then. At a health club this week, a few hard-core lifters I know casually (model like), commented on these. They were drawn in some way. Said they looked "tribal" and asked where to get them. This was music to my ears (and heart). Whether or not they were aware, there was some vibration that was emanating from these. A reminder that you never know where you can inspire and be inspired. So with this, I did share a bit of about these beads.
The gift I received that day is you never know where and when you can inspire others. Maybe they needed something "spiritual" at that moment, or maybe they just really liked the beads....Have a very "sweet" day.
With Love, D
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