tis the season of giving

"one of the secrets of life is that all that is really worth the doing is what we do for others." 

lewis carroll

the holidays are in full swing. i'm sure you've attended one....ahem....five...holiday parties at this point already. this is what the season is about. reconnecting. getting together. celebrating. rejoicing. being in the company of those we love. but amidst all the parties and presents, we may lose sight of the giving. of those less fortunate than ourselves who are not enjoying those parties and presents, who cannot be home with the ones they love, or maybe who don't have a home at all. so we learn to give, this is the season of giving. and there are so many ways to do so. 

look to your church, your children's schools, the town hall, even grocery stores. they are all most likely running drives to collect food and gifts. there are endless volunteer programs taking place during this time as well. look up soup kitchens in your area. look up meals on wheels. or non-profits that support children with disabilities. send a note to our soldiers abroad. habitat for humanity. stop by and visit with elderly people whom may not have anyone left. even just a hello and a smile can go a long way. 

the feeling of giving back is hugely rewarding. and once you experience it, you'll never want it to end.  the gift of giving is an incredible one, letting those in need receive. this will be something you make a tradition, or even more so, you start doing regularly. tis the season to brighten this world up. smile big, give hard, love all. 

all you need

sometimes all you need is a rainy day. a day to be cozy and warm, to reflect and reset. a day where it is ok to do nothing, but gaze out a big frosty window and watch the drops fall. 

sometimes all you need is a big cup of tea, with a dollup of honey. a good book to read, and a journal to write. a day where your mind wanders and travels and dreams. 

sometimes all you need is day spent with your best friend. to explore, eat, drink, and laugh with. a day where you realize, friendship is something you can't live without. 

sometimes all you need is a loved one to be near you. to hold you and comfort you. a day where you let your guard down, and welcome the love. 

sometimes all you need,

is right there in front of you. 

Summer Solstice Mantra

Happy Summer Solstice! The summer season is upon us, and is marked by the longest day of the year. Tomorrow we will receive sun, sun, sun, and more sun! Shining down upon us, late into the evening. The culmination of our growing light from winter, through spring, coming to it's apex. We have traveled, explored, rearranged, reawakened, and opened ourselves up to receive this enlightenment. To receive this long day, filled with celebration. Filled with joy, laughter. The light pours over us, covering us in it's glory. Giving us the utmost time to enjoy, to live freely in jubilance. 

So set yourself free, if not always, at least tomorrow! Let the light in, let it seep into your bones, into your soul. Let that richness and fullness cover you head to toe. And then share this light. Share your light. 

Summer Solstice Mantra: I am a being of light and love. I receive freely, openly, and playfully. I am the truest form of myself, and my authenticity and uniqueness shines. I bask in the sun, in the shining light. I bask in the universes' unwavering support. I feel whole. I feel connected. I feel open. I feel radiant. I celebrate the journey that brought me to this glorious summer day. I am a catalyst of light and love. 

Rules for Happiness

5 Simple Rules for Happiness:

1. Free your heart from hatred.

2. Free your mind from worries

3. Live Simply.

4. Give More.

5. Expect Less.

The one that hits home for me the most is 'free your mind from worries.' I find myself so worried lately, and I can't understand why. I never used to be like this, life used to be so light, and now it feels heavy. 

I worry about my parents wellness, about my younger brother driving, about my sister, I worry about my work, am I making a difference? 

I need to learn to just let go of these worries. To let go and live life fully. To shake my anxiety off and find happiness and joy. I have the power within me to make the conscious decision to let go of these worries, to know that everything happens for a reason, and my family and friends are safe. 

One of my goals for 2014 is to find the lightness in life once again. And I know that I will be able to! Whatever you set your mind to you can accomplish! Just be happy :) 

happy holidays!

Give the gift of yoga this holiday season! 

1 hour: $75

3 hour long sessions: $185

5 hour long sessions: $320

Holiday Yoga Party? I'm all in! Parties of 10 + people will receive a 20% discount! 

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays! 

Namaste for the Holiday! 

searching for sunshine

So the sun has been gone for about a week now, and to tell you the truth, I am really missing it. Yes, I love the cloudy chilly fall weather - but only to a certain extent. Give me that sunshine too! Not just the actual sun bringing light into the world, but what can brighten up my day when I am feeling low? What can bring me that uplifting feeling? The softness, the happy glow to my life. We must learn to make our own sunshine each and everyday. 

It's easy to be happy when everything in your life is going right. But then we have the days where it feels a cloud is sitting over our head. Find that one bright spot, find the one thing that makes you happy - maybe it's a call to a best friend, a yoga class, playing with your pet, baking - anything that gives you a little lift. Find a ray of light in the cloudiest of moments.  

Refuse to live in the shadow of a cloud. Make the conscious decision to be happy, make the conscious decision to have a bright day. You have the power within you to choose how your day is going to be, how to live your life. The universe has supplied you with all you need. Take that, and find your happy glow. 

I know someone who when asked "How are you?" regardless of how she feels or what is going on, replies "Sunny and 80." What a great outlook. Just saying that out loud makes the day seem better and lighter. Every morning when your feet touch the floor, give thanks that you have another day, and choose to make it the best day possible. It's all about attitude. 

Find your sunshine. Find what brings you pure bliss, and hold onto that on the darkest of days. Make the clouds part and the sun shine through on you.