Revisiting Gratitude and Grace

This morning I was reminded that it's almost time for my birthday and I feel like so much has changed in the last year. However, a lot has stayed the same, those things that which create my foundation and core being. I went back and read this post from last February, and it is still a regular part of my life. As my world has expanded I wanted to share this with those of you who may not have known me then. 

Thank you for being a reader and part of my world. 

Gratitude and Grace

At the beginning of yoga class, we're often asked to set an intention or to send our practice where it needs to go. This is a practice I have extended to other parts of my life like climbing, hikes, bike rides, the activities that help make that connection between the body and soul easy to see.


Sometimes setting that intention is really easy. There may be an area of your life where you're struggling or a loved one in need so your intention is very clear. Other times it's not that easy. Maybe all is going well or it's just too messy to bring it to the mat. At those times I have always had a staple intention, simply to practice for those who can't. Move for those who can't. Be present for that period when others can't. This intention has served me well.


Recently, I began to think about that a bit more. Sending your practice out to an anonymous stranger who can't practice is a lot like praying for someone you've never met. I think that's something we've all done. Whether we've been sending good vibes out to our co-worker's sick daughter or keeping good thoughts for someone we heard about on the news, we all do this to some extent.


Chances are if most of us pray for a stranger in some way, well then a stranger has sent good energy our way. Have you felt that before? I have and it's pretty awesome. So now when I am not sure where to send my practice I still send it to those who can not practice but I also send it to every person who has ever prayed for me, those I know and those I will never meet.


So I invite you,  the next time you're on your mat or about to begin a hike, walk or ride to send it out to all those who have ever given you energy when you needed that extra bit of love, even if you've never met them. Be mindful, be thankful and be present for them.

Loving Leap Year - the Playlist

I haven't been able to put a finger on what I have been feeling lately. Other than a little head cold I have felt amazing. I am energized, giggly, giddy, and ridiculously optimistic. Then I realized I am in love...I am in love with the potential that my life holds right now. I look at how much things have changed in just one year, with just a little work. The idea of what will happen as I focus more, put my energy in the right places and be open to growth...well it's dizzying. So I made a playlist...what else can you do when you feel so good?

Whispers of Success

I used to think in really crisp black and white views. I think we all do at times. I would look at what "success" meant and it often had an all or nothing view or at the very least numerical quantifiers. Whether it was the grade of a climbing route, how fast I biked, or how many miles I hiked there was always something related to a number.

When I began teaching yoga I am sure there were a few of those success parameters floating around in my head. How often I taught and how many students showed up were indicators of success. Yet, in the past few months a lot of that has faded away. I have found that success as a teacher comes more from how teaching makes me feel and how I interact with people. I have experienced milestones I had never even dreamed of.

• I have students bring me gifts. I would NEVER expect this and it's not about the material items. However, when I have brought gifts to my teachers they've been the ones who touched my life. It feels awesome to have that connection. 
• Along a similar vein I have students who have sent me emails, posted on my Facebook, and stayed after to talk to me. Whether or not they're sending compliments, sharing ideas, or inspiration that connection is, again, amazing. 
• I've been asked to collaborate with other teachers on workshops and projects. When you have exceptional peers and are asked to join them, wow, just wow. 
• I am still pumped up for my personal practice every day (okay ALMOST everyday). 

These emotional quantifiers have bee such a better way to measure my success. Tying into that which fuels my passion and makes my heart smile has pushed me further than any number on a scale. 

I am thinking about how I will plan my adventures for 2012. How these emotional indicators will play out in success as far as hiking, camping, climbing, cycling and racing goes in 2012. It's different, but it's the same. Maybe numbers do come into play throughout these activities...but that number will be the percentage of time I feel energized and how many times I smile throughout the day rather than what rating a climbing route is or how fast I can hike. 

Do you have emotional quantifiers for your life? If you don't, can you try? Where are you currently experience emotional indicators and how can that expand?