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. 

Illuminated

And with a pinch of fear, I took the leap

with a touch of fear, I let what I knew so well, go

with an inkling of fear, I gave in, and chose the path I desired

-

where the light shined down for me

the light drove out the fears

the light cleared the way

the light crept in where shadows once were

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all was illuminated

and with growing confidence, i felt stronger than before

bright - sweet- light - bliss - loved

this is my place - this is the right path

i am loved - i am supported

this world is beautiful - it holds us up 

it takes us to where we exactly are meant to be

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live in this illumination

hello spring!

We made it - we finally made it. Spring has sprung. And we welcomed it with very open arms. Across the street from my house, little flowers are sprouting up from the earth....puts a smile on my face every day! Spring is a time for reawakening, for growth, for change. Spring is a magical time of the year. 

The word spring means to jump, to move forward, to arise from. We have finally moved forward out of winter. Arising out of hibernation - jumping in joy that the days are longer, the sun is warmer, the earth is greener. Our skin begins to glow. Our hearts open up - we are filled with lightness. 

Spring is a time of realization. We are reunited, since we never truly separated in the first place. And as you live, breath, do, and be....in yoga or in life....we get flashes of this remembrance. We tune in. The more you notice those moments where you feel a knowing that goes beyond the mind and to your heart, a knowing that yes you are this beautiful physical form - but also much more. Your essence is pure, flawless and truly divine. When something emerges that is deeper than you thought possible - that power shines through. That power makes you light in the heart. 

Life gives you exactly what you need to reawaken and move from the darkness and into the light. 

Embrace Spring - Jump with joy - Be green - Buy a flower - Plant a tree - Open you heart - Live light - Welcome change - Experience growth - Love this time. 

Love - that's all there is.

There is an innate desire within all of us – love. Love is what drives this whole beautiful world we live in. Love is what inspires us. We long to be loved, to give love, to see love, to fall in love.

Open your eyes, open your mind, open your heart. Open up to the goodness that is. It is all right there in front of you, reach out and grab it.

Let go of the fears that hold you back. Let go of past heartbreaks that hardened your heart, for the worst prison would be a closed heart. Let your heart become soft once again, open up to your full potential, don’t hold back.

Bring that inner intention, the inner desire of love to the surface. Relish in it, bask in it’s light, live in love. Love is unconditional.

 You are a being of love, always.

There is only love. 

Drop The Control?

Let go of control. Let go of expectation. Let go of that to do list. 

Just let go. 

&

Simply be.

Live in the flow of life. Let things happen, and adapt when they do. If that is hard for you, take this as a challenge, and overcome it (New Years resolution anyone?). Do not try to control every situation. Do not expect a certain outcome. The things in our life happen for a reason and we must learn to accept that. We must learn how to see each situation for what it is. To be present in the moment. Work with what we are given. 

If you do this, you live life more freely, more full of love. 

You understand that life just is, and it will happen whether we try to control it or not....so why add the stress of assumption? 

Let life flow through you, let love come in. 

Let go, let go, let go. This world is filled with light and happiness - if you are to control anything, make it the conscious decision to be happy. Your soul is stronger than you think and you have the power within you to choose happiness. To choose to make the best of every situation. 

I invite you to go out and do just that. Let go of control. Simply let life be, live in the flow of it, and accept all that is. See the beauty all around you. 

Relish in the happiness of this unconditionally loving universe.

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 :) 

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. 

(be) open hearted

(Personal photo taken at Torrey Pines, La Jolla CA in 2009)

Mantra: I am a being of light & love. My heart is open - I experience life freely, playfully, and fully. I experience life with no hesitation. I celebrate love by giving it all I have. I let it manifest in all ways possible. I let it from through me as the loving being that I am. Love is not yours, love is not mine, love just is. In love & with my open heart - I am free. 

Instead of visioning what love is, let's envision what love feels like - all day long. In yoga - it's in every asana, in the meditation, in savasana. Our hearts often become so closed and guarded due to a variety of things such as a break up, a fight with a friend, losing someone close. It happens, shit happens. But we must work to keep our hearts balanced. 

Our deepest wounds are opportunities for growth and transformation. 

Keeping the heart balanced requires a deep ongoing commitment - seek freedom in the heart and remain open by connecting with those around you. In yoga - it's the asana, breath work, and healthy living that will support the functioning of the physical heart. Stretch it, balance it. Open the heart chakra. Elevate your conciousness to heal imbalances in the system. Help heal yourself. 

The worst prison would be a closed heart. Surrender, and love where you are at right this moment. Open your heart and experience more love and joy.