"We are all of us stars, and we deserve to twinkle." ~ Marilyn Monroe
I am writing you this letter from Hollywood, where I am spending the summer solstice. It is a pure pleasure that I am here to embrace the teachings of yoga from a few of my most favorite, highly esteemed teachers. I adore these women for their big hearts, trusted wisdom and the energy to share it while they hold space for personal growth, transformation, deep reflection and the courage to stretch and reach beyond what we think is possible. The studio is situated in the quaint village of Larchmont, several miles from here, so I will ride the metro daily to and from classes. My days begin with a luscious view of the Hollywood hills and the sprawling city stretched out beneath it. Dressed in my soft, light yoga gear and running shoes, I am greeted by the doorman. He wishes me well and then points me in what I hope is the right direction. I am headed to the Hollywood Walk of Fame to catch my bus, which, as I learned over the course of several days, does not run on a set schedule. In reality, I don't have a clue as to what time I will actually arrive at the studio. So, each morning, my stroll is deliberate and brisk, although I'm careful not to miss a single moment of who it is I am passing by. I receive 'good morning' greetings from a kind young homeless man, a boy delivering freshly cut flowers to the corner market and an elderly woman bent over her cane waiting for the light to change. Although I don't know a single soul, there is a sense of belonging that no one deserves to be here more than anyone else. Everyone I pass is doing their best on every corner of every street. Of all the things that make up an ordinary day, travel offers the ultimate opportunity to open us up to what each new moment has to offer, to try something new and ultimately to look at life through new eyes. As I move closer to the Walk of Fame, the stars begin to shimmer in the morning light. My gaze drifts through the golden tapestry of stars etched with each actor's name, and I begin to wonder what it must've felt like for them. Stars you and I began watching on the big screen from a very young age – the glamour and the glory only to last a short while. Then, like a vision, a little elderly lady appears gracefully supported by her walker, her feet shuffling slowly over the sea of stars, her chin is up and she walks with purpose. I could not help but feel a sense of wonderment towards her. She must be 90. She's lived to see and feel everything imaginable, and she must have stories to tell! And I think to myself, now that is a star! It got me thinking about what a star represents. As it turns out, 'You are a star' originated in Ireland and is an all-around compliment that means you're a great person, you've risen to the occasion and been generally wonderful! It existed long before the whole movie star thing and came from the symbolism of a bright shining star. In ancient times, the stars were the only navigation system used by explorers to map their routes and reach their destinations. Stars represent a guiding light, a direction and finding one's way. A star's pure light is often associated with spirituality and the divine and represents wonder, mystery, beauty and the connection between us and the universe. Stars represent faith, illumination, enlightenment and knowledge. They can also be a symbol of hope as it is directly associated with light and the wonder you feel when gazing up into the infinite night sky. May the light of summer shine ever so brightly upon you, and always remember you are being guided by the light above and the spark within. You, my dear, are a star! I had been dreaming of the warm lucid turquoise waters off the coast of Bimini in the Bahamas for some time and what it would feel like to swim with wild dolphins. My group chartered a dive boat committed to researching everything about dolphins. To the captain, co-captain, and dive master, this is not just a hobby but their life's work and passion.
It was a daily discovery of how dolphins communicate, breathe, eat, play and survive in the wild – an experience I will always treasure. The sheer bliss these creatures emit is beyond words. Sharing space with the dolphins in the ocean's depth felt transformative – almost like floating in a dream you didn't want to awaken from! Then came the excursion I wanted to run from – not swim towards. A shallow sandy swimming lagoon laden with stingrays. Not just a few stingrays. There were more than I could even count! We were in their playground. They swam so close to each other that it felt like we were sucked into their web. All I could think of was their poisonous tails with sharp barbs on the end and the fact that they belonged to the shark family. And if I were stung, it would be excruciatingly painful, most likely bloody, and potentially deadly. As their slimy skin grazed my trembling shins, I began to shake, yet around me, all I could see were my dive mates' happy, smiling faces. (I think they'd done this before.) How long would I have to endure this? How long could I endure this? Why was I the only one not enjoying this experience? The voice in my head kept repeating, "I'm terrified of being stung, and worse, it could be deadly." After what felt like a movie in slow motion, our team leader took one look at my face and offered to swim me back to the boat. Did I tough it out? Nope! I politely reached for her arm, and we swam the distance to the dive boat together, where I finally felt safe. As I made my way up the ladder and onto our boat, I felt a sense of energy and aliveness. I could no longer see my dive mates. They remained with the stingrays in utter fascination and joy. Then I realized there really was nothing to fear except fear itself. I clung to my preconceived notions of stingrays, which changed my entire experience. I held onto the dark notions rather than open myself to a new and wild experience. I have since learned ray stings are rare and that they reserve their sting for other large predators like sharks. They are, in fact, very friendly, sweet, gentle giants if only I had looked at them in that way. Fear is a natural response to danger, whether imagined or real. When we allow our imagination to get the best of us, there is little hope for a positive outcome. You've often heard, "Feel the fear and do it anyway." So, why is fear good for you? Because it takes you out of your comfort zone, opens you to new experiences, and makes you come alive! Had I not ventured off the boat that afternoon, I wouldn't have had the magnificent experience of being with wildlife so closely and experiencing my vulnerability. In truth, the stingrays were friendly towards us and trusted us not to harm them. We were, after all, in their territory. As Ralph Waldo Emerson so aptly says, "Do the thing, and you shall have the power." In other words, when you decide to do something that scares you, you've already generated the energy you need to achieve it. Fear acts as an immune booster. Adrenaline creates a response in the body similar to exercise, building energy and releasing natural endorphins, helping your brain work more efficiently. Our brains crave challenges. They want to be activated. You feel empowered whenever you come through a challenge and accomplish your goals. This natural high lasts longer than when you were scared, which is why you feel so good afterward (and explains why I felt energized when I reached the boat and could think more clearly). Fear keeps you in the present moment – the only moment that matters. Being fully aware of fear allows you to live life to the fullest. When you fear something, you have a choice – to stay on the boat alone or welcome a rare experience you will never forget. The bottom line is life is meant to be lived. Fear makes you realize that now is the only time you have. It is said, "Where fear meets courage is the sweet spot in which mountains get scaled, and rivers are run." But most of all, fear can be the birthplace of change, creativity and innovation. "You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face... You must do the thing you think you cannot do." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt As I recall the gifts of summertime, I was reminded of a fitting quote by Sarah Dessen where she reminds us to remember when the summer days "were long, stretching into each other...out of school, everything was on pause and yet happening at the same time, this collection of weeks when anything was possible." So with summer in mind, let's take a journey where we turn up the volume and imagine sinking our feet into the warm white sand and feeling the sunshine all around us! Together, let's take a journey while we sink our feet into the warm white sand, turn up the volume and feel the sunshine all around us. For full effect, please watch Michael Franti & Spearhead's video "The Sound of Sunshine" and stay to the end because it's guaranteed to bring you those awesome summer vibes! Remember when we waited all year long for summer? As youngsters, it was as if we could make each day stretch into more time to dream, play, explore, discover and be lazy without regret. I know that I could hardly wait for afternoons running to the Wham-O Slip N' Slide on the cool grass, the musical ice cream truck, the warmth of the sand between my toes, saltwater on my tender pink skin, sleepovers, camping trips and daily dives in our freshwater pool. Remember when you didn't want to fall asleep each night for fear you might miss something? When every day of summer was to be savored and not forgotten. As youngsters, we innately knew the benefits of play, relaxation, curiosity, joy and presence. Now, my friends, we no longer have to wait for summer. It rushes ever so swiftly to us, inviting us to reawaken the child within through the gifts of presence, play and relaxation. Let this summer invite you to savor some slowness, make space for idle time and more of the things that bring you joy. Allow yourself to follow your curiosity and the endless possibilities for creativity! All too often, we let the daily distractions of life interfere and, in doing so, give up what it is we need the most – the time to reclaim our inner peace and well-being and to define outer expectations and responsibilities in the world on the one hand and balance our internal needs for space and personal expression on the other. I invite you to take a moment and lift your spirit to "The Sound of Sunshine" and to savor your favorite summer memories. Recall as far back in the past as you like and review what you were doing, who you were with and what brought you the most joy. Then I encourage you to remind your current self that anything is possible in this collection of weeks if only you are fully present for it. Thank you for the reminder Sarah Dessen! I'm HOME living in the first house I purchased with my then-husband many years ago. I'll always remember the day we found it – feeling the excitement of a dream as I climbed the steps to peek through the window of the front door, seeing the bright brick fireplace for the first time, the gentle mist of sea air surrounding me, and the feeling that this was home.
Even though it feels like a lifetime ago, the feeling remains the same. A deep inner joy and satisfaction in turning a house into a home with things I love that nurture and support me. Home is a symbol of the love that continually protects and surrounds us, nurtures us and allows us to be. What excites me the most is bringing my space alive to reflect the woman I am today. I am inspired to honor all the parts of her, all the places she's lived and explored, the people she has met, who she was, and who she is becoming. If you read my last email, I talked about the way we emerge from one stage in life to the next. I am in a new phase in my becoming, and re-creating the space around me is an affirmation of what matters most to me, what I have brought with me, creating space for what I'm inviting in more of, and remembering that the home of my dreams dwells within. A big part of this process is getting rid of most of my belongings. Over the years, our needs change, and the desire to simplify is palpable. As I watched the men dismantle the daybed and drive off with it, I was surprised by a bit of nostalgia. I've thought a lot about things and their place in our lives. After all, they are only things. I thought about how and why I would have an attachment to the furniture I bought so many years ago. The truth is that the daybed held sunlit afternoons close as a respite from the world, a sense of untouchable tranquility. It held visits from far-away friends. The trundle was perfect for my precious young nieces and nephews, reading, storytelling, trampoline and somersaults. And the feeling I got seeing the daybed elegantly placed in our guest room. It's not the item or piece of furniture; it's how it made me feel and the memories I will keep of beloved guests in my home that will remain with me forever. The furniture is gone, but the memories will live on. What's next to let go of? I think it will be the glass-top dining table with carved pedestal legs and upholstered side chairs. When I chose it, I thought it was the most beautiful, elegant dining set I'd ever seen. Will I wax nostalgic? You betcha! Memories of all the celebrated birthdays, candle-lit anniversaries, dinner parties, Thanksgiving dinners, my father's book signing, wine tastings and everyday enjoyment. I am once again reminded of the preciousness of life in each moment through the lens of time. As I clip pictures, explore ideas and become obsessed with Pinterest, I am reminded of limitless possibilities in creating a new vision filled with purpose, possibility and loving protection. A house is built of wood and beams. My heart is full as I make a home of love and dreams! Is there a place in your home that reflects you – your present visions and dreams? If you don’t have a particular place, I hope this message inspires you to create one and that it supports you in remembering that the home of your dreams dwells within... "We delight in the beauty of the butterfly but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty." ~ Maya Angelou
As spring casts her lustrous spell, I feel a sense of freshness, newness and sweetness in my days. After a long, dark, wetter-than-usual winter, I feel truly blessed to wake up to sunshine through the window most mornings and the return of butterflies and the serenade of the sparrows, finches and doves and my favorite hooting owl. While we find ourselves living in a time of deep shifts and enormous change, I am realizing more than ever the importance of resilience in our lives... Resilience is the ability to bounce back after change, hardship and loss. It is what gets us through the dark times and most painful moments. It is the mojo deep within that says, "every little thing is going to be alright." I'm contemplating all the ways we try to find a shortcut to happiness and cancel out the idea we have to "be happy, be this, have that." When in truth, that never has been the goal. Like the butterfly, we, too, are transforming. Transformation is never easy. It means leaving behind one growth stage to arrive at the next, which requires resilience and something we aren't necessarily born with. It is a strength we can build just like our muscles, and like most everything in life, it has to be practiced to be learned. I am learning there are types of resilience – physical, mental, emotional and social – and the more we practice them, the better life will feel and the freer we will become. Physical resilience The way the body deals with change and recovers from injury and illness is vital to our health and well-being, and it is something we can improve daily through all the ways we nourish and move our bodies with mindfulness. Mental resilience Mental resilience pertains to how we adapt to change and uncertainty. It begins in the brain, and we control the thoughts we feed it. With a solid mindset, we can remain flexible and move forward positively. Emotional resilience Emotional resilience is being able to regulate emotions during times of stress. The practice of tuning into your inner life, honoring your feelings and trusting that you have the capacity to deal with any challenge one step at a time. Social resilience Social resilience is being part of the community for support, friendship and connection. The value of a support system is limitless, whether it means coming together after a natural disaster or being surrounded by fellowship after the death of a loved one. Our friends, family and community are the fabric that supports us in times of crisis. How can we live with more resilience in our lives DAILY? • BELIEVE in yourself, your importance & your abilities • PRACTICE self-awareness & observe how you feel • Pay ATTENTION to how you behave - Are you responding or reacting? • Hold onto a sense of OPTIMISM - Reframe negative thoughts • Take RESPONSIBILITY for your feelings, actions & choices • Make time to CELEBRATE the positive • LET GO of grudges - Forgive yourself and others Resilience is a precious skill that helps us find meaning in life's challenges. When we are resilient, we are able to look at negative situations realistically and in a way that does not insist on blame or focus on what could have been. "She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails." ~ Elizabeth Edwards As we adjust our sails, remember that "every little thing is gonna be alright." |
Blog Author:
|