Oh, life...

Are you really happy or just really comfortable?

This is a question I've been asking myself for months. I've moved back to Virginia, where I have again started teaching; and where I am again finding myself drowning in school related "stuff" and therefore putting all the things I dream of constantly and long to pursue on the back burner.

When I made the decision to leave New York and come back to Virginia; I tried to justify it with:
"Virginia is less expensive." "The pace is less hectic." "I'll have more time to pursue the things that make me happy."

Well, to tell the truth, only one-third of these has turned out to be true; and now I'm kicking myself in the butt, reevaluating my decision and coming to terms with the reason I chose Virginia - it was COMFORTABLE. 

And now while I watch friends get married and have babies, travel and go on great adventures, I find myself thinking, "I had plans." I was going to move to the West Coast, pursue my art, do some yoga, and really LIVE - and yet, I find where I am is a far cry from where I had planned to be. So what to do now? I'm not entirely sure; and while that is somewhat frustrating and unsettling, I realize it's also okay.

We must get comfortable with feeling uncomfortable for it's that discomfort that propels us into action and forward into the life we've imagined.

Until next time...

Smile! Autumn is here!

Shorter days; hot apple cider; orange, yellow, red everywhere you look AND school - autumn is in full swing...

Some of the things that are making me smile lately -

Sunday mornings at the Farmer's Market

Playing in the leaves

The sun shining through the trees in the morning

This guy...

AND pumpkins!

What are you taking the time to enjoy during this lovely season?

Decisions, Decisions...

Good Morning Loves... 

It's been a while since I've posted anything. School is finally out for the summer and to say I've been taking advantage of the opportunity to catch up on sleep would be a vast understatement. I am thoroughly enjoying my lazy mornings and occasional afternoon naps.

The beginning of this summer is a vast contrast to how my summer began last year. Last year, a couple of days after school ended, I immediately jumped into yoga teacher training which as most of you know, turned my life around by a very exciting 180 degrees.

Today, in the midst of all my relaxing; I again find myself at a crossroads, and weighing the pros and cons of my options has me a little overwhelmed.  I mean, it's good to have choices...right? But what happens, when those choices are being thrown at you at every turn?

At this moment, I'm attempting to again get past my trepidation of the unknown - to have enough confidence in myself to know that I am capable of overcoming any obstacle I may encounter...no matter which path I choose.

Taking the time to remind myself...

Look for the dream that keeps coming back. It is your destiny.

                                                                             

Looking Back...Moving Forward

the only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson 

as you all know, last june i moved to new york taking the first step on a path to self-discovery, happiness, and adventure. over the course of these past months i have learned a lot about myself and my relationships with others. i've learned to be much more selective about what i welcome into my life and about letting go of what no longer serves me. i've made new friends and have had the opportunity to share my new life with old friends. i've envisioned my future and have begun to implement the actions needed to make that future happen. 

bottom line, i wouldn't trade this year for anything - it's truly allowed me to figure out who i am; no apologies, no excuses.

as i venture further forward into that great unknown we call life, i have made a promise to myself to be better than i was yesterday, to live a life true to myself regardless of self-doubt or the opinions of others - what a difference a year makes...

today, i encourage you all to take a look back to where you were a year ago and take joy in your own journey, giving gratitude for how far you've come and looking forward to a bright future.

until next time...

We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that death will tremble to take us.

-Charles Bukowski

Find the Joy

Remember, today is awesome -

Find joy in the ordinary, for if you take the time to really pause and consciously contemplate your life, you will realize it's actually pretty amazing.

Until next time...

Be open to whatever comes next...

It's Spring...(breathe and enjoy)

It was one of those 

March days when the sun 

shines hot and the wind

blows cold; when it is 

summer in the light, and 

winter in the shade.

                                   - Great Expectations

Oh spring! That wonderful season of expectation, hope, growth, and renewal...

Although the temperature is keeping steady between 30 and 40 degrees here in New York, the feelings of spring are in full effect. The days are longer, there is a bounce in peoples' steps. It seems the world is feeling so hopeful about the future - looking ahead with excitement and purpose.

Personally, I am running into my future, full steam ahead and arms wide open; making the decision to keep my eyes on the road ahead and refusing to look back.

What are you looking forward to this season and beyond? What thoughts are you planting now to create the future you want?

Something to think on ~
It is in all of us to defy expectations, to go into the world and to be brave, and to want to need, to hunger for adventures; to embrace change and chance and risk, so that we may breathe and know what it is to be free...
                           -Mae Chevrette

Bucket List

For the past couple of weeks, I have been embracing my inner cowgirl at Cimarron Ranch in Putnam Valley, NY.

I have wanted to take horseback riding lessons for forever, and a couple of weeks ago I just made up my mind to do it; so I googled, did a little research, read some reviews, and ended up at Cimarron Ranch riding a gentle Palamino named Midas a week later. The lessons have been great! My instructor Leigh is so knowledgeable, and I've really enjoyed the routine of riding.

It's funny, I was speaking to a friend of mine recently; telling her about some of the things I've done since moving to New York - exploring the city, going to see The Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music hall over the holidays, horseback riding lessons, etc. and she was so happy to hear that I was "crossing things off my bucket list." 

I had to stop for a second and really process what she was saying - I mean, yes, I've dreamed of living in New York since I was in my twenties, I've wanted to see the Christmas Spectacular for as long as I can remember, and horseback riding lessons have been on my radar for years; but I guess I never really thought about any of those things being on my "bucket list." After all, they were such small things - when I think of a bucket list, I think of skydiving and traveling the world. You know, really BIG things. That being said, what I've come to realize is this, small things can be an adventure too, totally bucket list worthy. After all, a trip around the world has to start somewhere...

What will you cross off of your bucket list today?

Until next time...

We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if we only seek them with our eyes open.
                                                                         -Jawaharal Nehru

 

Me, after riding; cold, muddy, happy...

Sasha is one of the dogs on the ranch. She enjoys supervising the lessons.

Taco the donkey is a very friendly and vocal chap.