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Jun
24

We Can Find the Good

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Happy Summer and Happy Birthday to me! Each year I take a little time to reflect on all the goodness that has touched my life over the past year and beyond. In a world where it can be easy to find fault and easy to become cynical or even complacent, I like to offer this: Find the Good. It is there and it needs you.

Here’s to the good!

1. Good health… the basis for welcoming gratitude
2. Sweet John who makes every day worth it
3. Dear friends who make this life so much sweeter–grateful that there are too many to name
4. My angel Buffy whose family continues to keep me connected to her and them
5. Uncle Howie who I will always hold in my heart and thank for creating my love of ice cream
6. Sweet Donna Lou, my mom who stays in my heart and helps guide me
7. Brother John and Sister-in-law Betsy, we are here for each other
8. Aunt Ann who picks up the phone and never fails to start with: I love you so much
9. My yoga students who STILL come to their mats every week, no matter the time zone
10. Cindy Bea who I believe when she calls me Sistah
11. The tandem adventures from Wyoming to the NC Coast–pedaling on, together
12. My bikes… who take me far and keep me close to the kid who likes adventure
13. Greg, for all his support and reality checks on my dreams
14. Michiko, my Peachy, who continues to keep her eye on me
15. Mary Mac and Phil for all the sincere joy they add to my life
16. Secret Book Club…shhhh… Your kind friendships are no secret
17. #Wearewriters—Heather and Gaye and all their intelligence and beauty, inside and out
18. Phone calls with Kara–grateful every time I hear your voice
19. Lynnie, Christie, Lindy and Loren — and friendships that weather the decades
20. Cross Country Skiing and the wonderment of winter in the woods
21. Adventures with T—Tara, who continues to say Hells Yes, I’ll do that
22. Lillie for the best London trip by showing me a familiar place through new eyes
23. Altina, the artist, force of nature and friend who continues to bloom
24. Julia and Grant who embrace me as family
25. Brooks and Lucy who have added great life to our lives
26. Nordic Lodge for hiring me and humbling me
27. Good coffee and more good coffee
28. Phyllis and our ritual of our monthly intentions check-in
29. Mamma Alice Vipiana whose voice I can hear and kindness I will always hold
30. Old friends who still pick up the phone – thanks Lytle and Lindy
31. Parks of all kinds – the sacred spaces to reconnect to nature
32. Trees… like M. Oliver said: I would say they almost save me ~ and daily
33. Pie, my self-identifier because sometimes I can be sweet and flaky
34. Passions held for writing and respect for the written word
35. All my yoga teacher pals that keep me striving to be my best self:
Heather, Alice,Terry,Tina, Debbie, Jerry
36. Running and the paths my legs still let me travel
37. Ryan who stays with me to remind me there is always gratitude to be found
38. Dave–our friend and our family–who is up for the adventure and bottle of wine
39. Sunrise, simple and true and miraculous
40. Ken and Dyan who make coming home to G’boro grand but that much tougher to leave
41. Neighbors that make life better: Jason & Marshall, Ken & Dyan, Michelle, and Alice
42. To take a risk and understand failure is not a mistake, it’s an opportunity
43. Becky and Cliff for their sweetness of humor and keeping me in their world
44. Letters! A huge gift of time and energy. Thank you Matty P!
45. Sitka Crew! I see you in my mind’s eye and hold you in my heart
46. Tina and Dick – the west coast family that I am so grateful to have
47. Special Bend Band: Xochitl, Sean, Andrew and Carolyn
48. Toby–the friend, the pilot, the person that makes us feel more like a family
49. To the younger friends who inspire me: Lillian, Emma, Annie, Adeline, Ella and Celia
50. Poetry and the inspiring poets that keep me aware of the beauty all around
51. Grandma MomaD and Bert for inspiring cribbage as a time to be together
52. Pilot John for safely taking us through many adventures
53. Tate Street Coffee, for good friends and customers and special memories
54. Appreciation for the biggest trips in life are often a short distance
55. Grateful for a special writer’s shed that wonderful John created for me to create in
56. Belief in the good … people are good; I am good. You are good
57. To all the friends who have kept me in their lives and in their hearts, I am one of the wealthiest humans alive

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Jun
24

When Your Heart Spills Forth with Gratitude and Love… You Give Thanks

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My tradition has been to offer up a gratitude list for my annual celebration of life. This year, I am overwhelmed by the goodness that surrounds my life and by the sweet gathering of friends that will take place on my birthday. What could be better than that? Well, I would say getting married to the person that fills my heart with such gladness to be alive and living this one precious life would certainly be better. And, so it will be! Birthday and Wedding in one weekend. My stars have truly aligned.

And, here’s a list to keep with my tradition… May you too find gratitude in all that life provides.

1. Good health… and the reality that there is nothing without it
2. Sweet John and all his belief in us and our life together
3. Kindness of others … from strangers to best friends – it’s there
4. For the love of my oldest friend, Buffy, who is now one of my angels to watch over me.
5. Uncle Howie more than an old friend and fully responsible for my love of ice cream
6. Sweet Donna Lou, my mom who stays in my heart and helps guide me
7. Brother John who shows up when it really matters
8. My Yoga Mat — it never lets me down
9. My yoga teachers who persevered through zoom: Terry, Jerry and Debbie
10. Spin-Etch with the amazing Cindy Bea and the SpinFam
11. Yoga Students who continue to show up no matter the time zone
12. My bike… pedaling me right back into childhood freedom
13. Greg, for all his support and reality checks on my dreams
14. Michiko and Misa who still hold faith in me
15. Mary Mac and Phil for all the sincere joy they add to my life
16. Yoga Dawgs of Greensboro and their dedication to the mat and one another
17. #Wearewriters—Heather and Gaye and all their intelligence and beauty, inside and out
18. Kara who I can phone every day and she still answers more than just the phone
19. Lynnie, Christie and Loren — and friendships that weather the decades
20. Cross Country Skiing and the wonderment of winter in the woods
21. Adventures with T—Tara, who continues to say Hells Yes, I’ll do that
22. Lillie who still finds hanging with me fun, or at least tolerable
23. Altina, the artist, force of nature and friend
24. Julia and Grant who gave us all the sweet joy of Baby Brooks
25. Challenges that make me understand life is precious
26. Good coffee and more good coffee
27. Phyllis, the mother of Bette-the-Eurovan who has added more adventures to list
28. Mamma Alice Vipiana whose strength is a virtue
29. Old friends who still pick up the phone – thanks Lytle and Lindy
30. Parks of all kinds – the sacred spaces to reconnect to nature
31. Trees… like M. Oliver said: I would say they almost save me ~ and daily
32. Pie, because it slices into my happy side
33. Passions held for writing and respect for the written word
34. All my yoga teacher pals that keep me striving to be my best self:
Heather, Alice, Sheila, Terry,Tina, Debbie, Jerry, Barbara, Angie, Adelfa
35. Running and the paths my legs still let me travel
36. Ryan who stays with me to remind me there is always gratitude to be found
37. Sistah Cindy Bea … we really are sisters, just of different parents
38. Sunrise, simple and true and miraculous
39. Capi and Mike and their sweet kindness and sincere laughter
40. Neighbors that make living in a place more than location—Bend Hood: The Lavelle’s, Katie Fitz, Scenic Deeniks; GSO Hamlet: Jason & Marshall, Ken & Dyan, Michelle, and Alice
41. Part-time roommate Dave and his unending culinary & vino education
42. Becky and the good folks running Tate Street Coffee who continue to treat me with such kindness
43. Letters! A huge gift of time and energy
44. Sitka Crew! I see you in my mind’s eye and hold you in my heart
45. Tina and Dick – the west coast family that I am so grateful to have
46. Kristen and Monty and Henrykas who remind me that life is meant to be lived
47. 21-day yoga challenge and all the folks that participate, even once, to know that we are worthy
48. The people who are shaping a beautiful future: Lillian, Emma, Annie, Adeline, Ella and Celia
49. Poetry and the inspiring poets that keep me aware of the beauty all around
50. Grandma MomaD and husband Bert for inspiring the habit of cribbage as a time to be together — and be a little competitive
51. Pilot John and Kermit for safely taking us through many adventures
52. Aunt Ann, Uncle Howie and Liz and their embracing me as family
53. Appreciation for the biggest trips in life are often a short distance
54. Belief in the good … people are good; I am good. You are good
55. To all the friends who have kept me in their lives and in their hearts, I am one of the wealthiest humans alive

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Jun
24

Time to linger in gratitude, all 54 of them

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Sometimes you hold on even when you should let go. I am ready to let go of the past year and offer space to the unfolding of the new year. In fact, I’m eager to release words such as unprecedented. But some things, I want to linger with a tad longer. I want to linger in the gratitude of all the goodness and the kind memories that made the year, even with a pandemic mixed in, seem rather magical.

As is my desire and my practice, I offer this year’s gratitudes… all 54 of them. And, I say thank you, thank you, thank you. May you feel my gratitude.

1. Good health… and the reality that there is nothing without it
2. Belief in the good … people are good; I am good. You are good
3. Kindness of others … from strangers to best friends – it’s there
4. Sweet John and all his belief in us
5. Memories that make me smile
6. Sweet Donna Lou, my mom who stays in my heart and helps guide me
7. Brother John who I panic with each adventure and forgives me for them
8. My Yoga Mat — it never lets me down
9. My yoga teachers who persevered through zoom: Terry, Jerry and Debbie
10. Spin-Etch with the amazing Cindy Bea and the SpinFam
11. Yoga Students who continue to show up no matter the time zone
12. My bike… pedaling me right back into childhood freedom
13. Greg, for all his support and reality checks on my dreams
14. Michiko and Misa who still hold faith in me
15. Mary Mac and Phil and their repetition of, “Yes, come back and stay with us.”
16. Yoga Dawgs of Greensboro and their dedication to the mat and one another
17. #Wearewriters—Heather and Gaye and all their intelligence and beauty, inside and out
18. Kara who I can phone every day and she still answers more than just the phone
19. Lynnie, Christie and Loren — and friendships that weather the decades
20. Cross Country Skiing and the wonderment of winter in the woods
21. Adventures with T—Tara, who continues to say Hells Yes, I’ll do that
22. Lillie who still finds hanging with me fun, or at least tolerable
23. Altina, the artist, force of nature and friend
24. Julia and Grant who include me in their circle and their love
25. Challenges that make me understand life is precious
26. Good coffee and more good coffee
27. Phyllis, the mother of Bette-the-Eurovan who has added more adventures to list
28. Mamma Alice Vipiana whose strength is a virtue
29. Old friends who still pick up the phone – thanks Lytle and Lindy
30. Parks of all kinds – the sacred spaces to reconnect to nature
31. Trees… like M. Oliver said: I would say they almost save me ~ and daily
32. Pie, because it slices into my happy side
33. Passions held for writing and respect for the written word
34. All my yoga teacher pals that keep me striving to be my best self: Heather, Alice, Sheila, Terry, Tina, Debbie, Jerry, Barbara, Angie, Adelfa
35. Running and the paths my legs still let me travel
36. Ryan who stays with me to remind me there is always gratitude to be found
37. Sistah Cindy Bea … we really are sisters, just of different parents
38. Sunrise, simple and true and miraculous
39. Capi and Mike and their sweet kindness and sincere laughter
40. Neighbors that make living in a place more than location—Bend Hood: The Lavelle’s, Katie Fitz, Scenic Deeniks; GSO Hamlet: Jason & Marshall, Ken & Dyan, Michelle, and Alice
41. Part-time roommate Dave and his unending culinary & vino education
42. Becky and the good folks running Tate Street Coffee who continue to treat me with such kindness
43. Letters! A huge gift of time and energy – Angie, Lisa, and many others
44. Sitka Crew! I see you in my mind’s eye and hold you in my heart
45. Tina and Dick – the west coast family that I am so grateful to have
46. Kristen and Monty and Henrykas who remind me that life is meant to be lived
47. 21-day yoga challenge and all the folks that participate, even once, to know that we are worthy
48. The people who are shaping a beautiful future: Lillian, Emma, Annie, Adeline, Ella and Celia
49. Poetry and the inspiring poets that keep me aware of the beauty all around
50. Grandma MomaD and husband Bert for inspiring the habit of cribbage as a time to be together — and be a little competitive
51. Pilot John and Kermit for safely taking us through many adventures
52. Aunt Ann, Uncle Howie and Liz and their embracing me as family
53. Appreciation for the biggest trips in life are often a short distance
54. To all the friends who have kept me in their lives and in their hearts, I am one of the wealthiest humans alive

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Jun
24

2020, Fifty-Three Celebrations of Gratitude

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If you were like many of us, you welcomed 2020 into your life and lexicon with the attention to numbers. In January, so many interesting combinations lay in the 12 months ahead. Now other numbers garner attention and they are not numbers you may have ever thought to consider. As you and I continue to navigate the pandemic and pay attention to our health, it is good to find time each day to send out the sincere desire for everyone’s well-being. The Metta Bhavana or loving kindness meditation has been a constant in my life for many years and now more than ever, the practice of sending out good thoughts to others is critical. 

Today, I offer my annual celebration of gratitude which is a practice I undertook several years back. While the number is finite, the expanse that my heart encompasses is infinite.

May you be well. My you be healthy. May you be free from struggle. May you know peace and hope.

The 2020 Gratitude List …

Continue reading “2020, Fifty-Three Celebrations of Gratitude” »

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Mar
15

Suggested Pose: Setu Bandhasana or Bridge Pose

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Today’s suggested pose is Setu Bandhasana or Bridge Pose

 

Bridge pose is a gentle inversion because the head is below the heart. As such you may feel the calming effects of this pose which help you relax and release. The movement of the spine in this pose, as you lengthen and then arch at the thoracic spine, helps maintain flexibility and is said to positively impact the nervous system. Mr. Iyengar professed: a person with a healthy spine indicates a healthy nervous system and if the nerves are healthy, a person is of sound mind and body.  Continue reading “Suggested Pose: Setu Bandhasana or Bridge Pose” »

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Mar
14

Suggested Pose: Vrksasana ~ Tree Pose

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Today’s suggested pose in Vrksasana or Tree Pose. 

Balance poses are critical to maintain your strength and resilience. The benefits of strengthening the muscles and bones can be felt throughout the standing leg. For the lifted leg, a great stretch occurs from the groin through the inner thigh. Balance poses stimulate your brain to keep you from falling. Simultaneously, you can find a calmness to the pose as you broaden your chest and let the breath come in more fully.

Variations on this pose include standing with your back at the wall or placing your hands on a chair or wall. 

In correlation with the 21-day yoga challenge, our word of the day is Lila Hum, translating to I am playful. With playfulness in mind, have a little fun with the pose. Find balance and find lightness perhaps through your swaying arms, a sweet grin, or as friend Jim shows below — while holding his morning cup of java. 

 

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Mar
13

Pose Suggestion: Hanumanasana ~ Monkey Pose

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Today’s suggested pose is Hanumanasana or Monkey Pose. 

To see someone practice this pose fully, you may think: cheerleader. But, it is not. It is complex in its set up and execution. You keep the hips drawn toward an equal plane as you use the strength and flexibility of your legs muscles to extend the front leg hamstrings and the back leg psoas.  The ribs lift off the pelvis while the chest remains broad and the cervical spine is in line with the rest of the spine.

Preparatory work is required to practice this pose, such as hamstring and quadricep stretches. The modification poses are necessary preparation. They stand alone as poses that are just as beneficial as the full hanumanasana while being accessible to most every body. 

Continue reading “Pose Suggestion: Hanumanasana ~ Monkey Pose” »

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Mar
12

Pose Suggestion: Adho Mukha Svanasana ~ Downward-Facing Dog Pose

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Today’s suggested pose is Adho Mukha Svanasana or Downward-Facing Dog Pose.

In concert with our word of the day — Aware — use this pose to draw yourself inward as you take this inversion to turn your world upside down in a positive manner. A change in view can often allow you to be more aware of yourself.  Continue reading “Pose Suggestion: Adho Mukha Svanasana ~ Downward-Facing Dog Pose” »

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Mar
11

Pose Suggestion: Balasana ~ Child’s Pose

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Today’s pose suggestion is Balasana or Child’s Pose

Child’s pose is often instructed in classes after a series of difficult postures. However, child’s pose is not necessarily an easy pose. A mindful approach to the pose and the addition of props can aid you to receive the full benefit of the pose.  Continue reading “Pose Suggestion: Balasana ~ Child’s Pose” »

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Mar
05

Pose Suggestion: Phalakasana ~ Plank Pose

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The suggested pose today is Phalakasana or Plank Pose

This pose is shown with the palm of the hands on the floor which is the traditional execution of the pose. However, I suggest you add to your practice by performing with the Forearms on the floor. Shoulders over the elbows. Hands lightly interlaced.

Engage your abdominal muscles which gives essential support to the spine. In variation with forearms on the floor: press forearms down, contract triceps to lift, broaden  your shoulder blades. Tuck toes and lift knees off the floor. You may keep your knees to the floor but continue the other cues: engage core, press down through forearms, lift up through the triceps. 

While there are more cues to offer, this is a good start.  You can add on with these thoughts: press heels back to help activate legs and contract thighs to draw toward hamstrings; keep shoulder blades broad and chest lifting away from mat to stabilize and strengthen shoulder cuff region; keep your neck in line with your spine, avoiding an excessive extension of cervical neck or a dropping of the head.  

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