Living My Story

I recently found a journal of mine from years ago. Looking at the pictures and quotes I had included amongst my daily thoughts gave me some pause. There were so many visions for my life that I had forgotten about. One picture in particular caught my eye - a picture of the New York City skyline. Leafing through that journal allowed me to remember some of the goals and aspirations I've set for myself over the years, and while some of them no longer applied, some definitely did; such as my desire to live in New York City at least once in my life.

Well, I'm here, and my life at the moment is one huge learning curve. I'm tired beyond imagination; both physically and mentally. But I can honestly say - I'm happy.

I'm having the time of my life and I haven't done much beyond work for the last three weeks (smile). Maybe it's the fact that I am starting to shape a new vision for my life. I'm broadening my horizons and making a list of all the new things that I'd like to try (trapeze classes, knitting, guitar lessons, exploring the Hudson Valley - just to name a few). 

I'm looking out at the world and gazing at the infinite possibility of what the future holds and I'm excited. I am living my story.

Until next time...

Take the time to remember what you've always dreamed of for your life and then ask yourself - What's stopping you?

Jumping In...

This past summer was one of the best of my life so far. I began to find the person I've always been and somehow lost sight of. In doing that, I also realized I could not go back to the way life was. I went back to Virginia and knew that it was no longer my place. Something was missing...and I had to find out what that was. Life is too short to live with regrets - sometimes we just have to jump into the unknown and see where it takes us...

So, here I am; this is me jumping in...I relocated to New York City this past Monday. 

Everything has happened so fast that my head is still spinning. I must say, the way everything came together, I believe it must be fate or kismet that I am here; in this city, at this time.

 I recently read a quote that summed up what I was feeling -

You cannot always wait for the perfect time, sometimes you must dare to jump.

Mustering the courage to do what would truly make me happy regardless of the consequences has been one of the hardest things I've ever had to do...but I have full confidence that it is going to be totally worth it...

Until next time, remember - 

some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle and end. 

life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what is going to happen next.

delicious ambiguity...

                                                             - gilda radner

Bittersweet...

Well, my time in NYC is over for now. I go back to Virginia tomorrow; and though I miss my life at home, I have come to love this city.

Yoga teacher training ended on the 27th so I've used the past week to spend time with wonderful friends, eat at great restaurants, explore the Museum of Natural History and watch children play in the fountain at Washington Square Park. I went to Broadway in Bryant Park where I saw performances from Silence the Musical and Mamma Mia. I've visited a lounge with incredible city views at the Dream Hotel and had a relaxing glass of sangria at a very cool wine bar.

Yesterday, as my time here came to a close, a friend took the time to show me some last minute peeks of the city. We had brunch in Brooklyn and then made our way to Central Park, where we laid in the grass, stopped and watched an awesome skating/dance party, were amazed by a woman hula-hooping while playing the violin (how cool is that?), and watched a blazing sunset from the reservoir.

The last 5 weeks have been such a great experience and I'm sad to see it come to an end; but I will be back - more yoga teacher training in September - so...until next time New York...

Views of the city from the Williamsburg Flea Market in Brooklyn

Mamma Mia @ Broadway in Bryant Park..looks like such a fun show
Definitely going to see it on Broadway

Central Park

Skate/Dance party in Central Park. Everyone was having so much fun.
I felt like I had been dropped into a 70's disco movie

For those of you who have seen the movie Enchanted...recognize this bridge?

Spectacular sunset seen from the reservoir
Beautiful end to a great day

Awakening

This is the fourth and final week of my yoga teacher training and I am so grateful to have had this experience. Honestly, the program has been intense (to say the least). There were moments during the first two weeks when I didn't think I could or would make it. By week three, I had turned a corner; my body didn't hurt as much, I didn't find the asanas as difficult, I started enjoying myself.

Thinking about how my experience was transforming, I was reminded of a quote I recently read; "Things don't get easier, we simply get better." That's not to say I've got everything down pat; I'm simply saying, I have changed...

These past four weeks have been such a heart opening experience. I feel awakened; like I have crossed a threshold coming to a more conscious state physically and mentally. I've found myself actively thinking about my decisions and actions versus doing things automatically because that's the way I've always done them. I am renewing personal vows to be authentic and truthful with myself; to live my life the way I've always envisioned.

In addition to all that; I've met wonderful people, whom I truly believe will be friends for life. Laughing, crying, sharing, and supporting each other through this process has truly created an awesome bond.

I am so excited to see where I go from here...

Until next time; a blessing...

May the long time sun shine upon you 
All love surround you 
And the pure light within you guide your way

Namaste

Wickedly Amazing!

Yesterday was a good day.

Back in April my parents and sister got together and bought me tickets to the Broadway musical  Wicked. Because we knew I'd be here in the city for the month of July, they bought the tickets for this weekend. After much excited waiting [on my part]; yesterday was the day. To say the show was fantastic would be a vast understatement. I have owned the original cast soundtrack for a few years, and found many of the songs so inspiring, but there is truly nothing like seeing it all played out on stage. I have to admit, I shed a tear during a couple of scenes (smile).

The underlying message of the musical is one of hope and perseverance...literally going from a place of sorrow and shame to watching your dreams become reality. And although the story is fiction, it reminded me that in life; anything is possible if we're willing to stand up for our dreams and what we believe to be true.

Dream and believe...

Contentment

 Over the past couple of days in teacher training we have been discussing yogic philosophy; concentrating on the 8 Limbs of Classical Yoga that are part of the Yoga Sutras written by Patanjali. In discussing these 8 Limbs of  Classical Yoga, our instructor has asked us to concentrate on one or two specific parts that speak to our soul and make it or them a part of our daily walk.


Although there were many that spoke to me; I have decided to concentrate on Santosha or contentment. According to Patanjali's Yoga Sutras; through contentment, supreme joy is gained. He says many of us confuse the difference between contentment and satisfaction, going on to define contentment as being just as we are without going to outside things for our happiness.


This statement hit me right between the eyes. So many times I've found myself thinking my life would be better if I did this, had that, lived there, etc, etc. Instead of focusing on the here and now and what is so wonderful about my life, my eyes were always looking ahead to the next thing - very rarely taking joy in what was right in front of me at THAT TIME.


That being said for the next 27 days (and beyond, hopefully), I will practice being content in my daily walk, recognizing that being content does not nullify the desire to improve; contentment simply expresses that "I am okay today."

The winds of change are blowing...

Life has me a little off kilter lately. Transitions and changes are abounding, decisions are having to be made, and I'm not quite sure of the path I should be following or of the path I want to follow. The past month or so, I've been trying to get out of my head and listen a little more to my heart. I've been looking at what used to be dreams for my life and trying to decide if those are still things I desire and aspire to.

I begin training for my yoga teacher certification in exactly 25 days. I am very excited and a little nervous. Truth be told, I am also hoping for some clarity; being a yoga teacher is one of those dreams I mentioned earlier.

The one thing I do know? The only constant in life is change; so it's onward and upward...moving forward, never looking back; for all of life is a journey and no matter where it takes me, I must believe I'm right where I'm supposed to be.

Something to ruminate on -

Follow your passion, it knows where you should go. Help people. Explore, play, laugh, enjoy. Move more, stress less. Make your own path. Define what success looks like for you, then go after it. Do it now. Collect experiences, not things. Ignore doubters, even when they're in your own head. Nourish your mind and body. Take time out often. Be your own hero. Give yourself permission. Trust your instincts. Build your days around what is important to you. Never stop learning and experimenting.
(this is not mine, I found it on Pinterest)