Thank You Panera Man!

After an oh-so-not strenuous day of yoga practicum rehearsing and reflecting with a friend that turned into a...

let's-make-an-insanely-excellent-plan-in-under-15-minutes for the new school year afternoon,

I stopped by my once-regular Tuesday/Thursday night dinner spot for a cup of black bean soup.

Hmm... somehow my order got mixed up or the man filling it thought I needed extra food

(or maybe because I looked extra spiffy in my running clothes?)

and gave me a much bigger order! 

I write this as I'm waiting for the soup to cool off, and fill every bit of my food-deprived tummy.

Thank you, Panera man, for your kindness! 

Thank you, Panera, for having regularly scheduled black bean soup on Tuesdays and Thursdays!

Thank you, friend/colleague's dog, for rough housing with me, so I went into calorie deficit!

For what are you grateful at this moment?

Share with me, as we celebrate being grateful!

Thank You Summer Brain!

Summer Brain is rearing it's colorful self in all sorts of kaleidoscopic ways! 

All that is focused on for 9-10 months is now buried deep inside the internal ocean to rest and recharge.  With that goes many of the key processes related to all of "that." 

The results are my priorities are vastly changed, and things that I'd normally be conscious of, I now have little clue about. 

I've found myself apologizing to friends and family when they ask me questions, and I respond with less depth and detail saying, "I have a bad case of summer brain."

To their credit, most everyone has responded, "That's okay!  Summer brain is a good thing!"

Thank you, summer brain, for allowing me to recharge for the upcoming school year! 

Thank you, summer brain, for reminding me that I need you

(as you do when you encourage me to sleep in beyond 5 am, to visit the library for fun reading, and to take random road trips just because...).

Thank you, friends and family, for accepting and encouraging summer brain!

For what are you grateful at this moment?

Share with me, as we celebrate being grateful!

Thank You Free Running!

Ah, summer vacation!

The brain is finally winding down, the soul relaxing, and the desire to push my body is not so present!

I knew I needed to run, but after yesterday's ache fest, I wasn't looking forward to it. 
Oh, the benefits of a run, yeah, I understood it, but again, the actual happening well... hmm.

I gave myself time, and listened to my body. 
I did a "Tibetan" warm up (a la David's Sivananada yoga class)-
think 10 downward dog-upward dog transitions;
I worked out my practicum a bit and warmed my body up nicely;
and I enjoyed a lovely farmers market nectarine for breakfast!

I arrived at the trail head at 9:20ish, and for some reason I just didn't feel like putting on my shoes! 
I was in that run-walk-hike mental mind field, so I set out in my Tevas...and...

I ran!!!

My body lit up in joy with my first step!  My breath was pure and free!  My soul was so happy! 

Right, I know barefoot running has become the norm,
but something in my soul was connecting deep within. 
The Spanish teacher in me was uniting with the Tarahumaras,
 the writer in me was delighting with the T connection (Tarahumara and Teva),
 and more!

I ran farther than yesterday and faster, too! 

I have to say these $21 super clearance sandals from REI many years back were a heavenly lot more enjoyable than my too-suped-up-for-those-trails shoes. 

I'll be back tomorrow for another go...
afterall, my legs responded a billion times better than I thought,
and oh the feeling of freedom!
 
The feeling of running down a nature-debris-littered trail (from previous storms),
with humidity washing over and through my pores,
and the sounds of snakes, squirrels, cardinals, and other animals going about their lives!

Thank you, Tevas, for the amazing stability and freedom! 
Thank you, Virginia, for a welcoming set of trails so so close to home! 
Thank you, Mother Nature, for the familiarity and sense of home...
and for welcoming to learn each step of the way!

For what are you grateful at this moment?

Share with me, as we celebrate being grateful!

Thank You Super Sunday Style!

There's way too much awesomeness to pick one thing to write about today, so I present to you all... the Super Sunday Style of A World of Gratitude!

Mmm... white nectarines!  They have returned to the farmers market!  While I didn't sample any there, I took home 4 with me for snacks and breakfasts this week.. and 2 white peaches, too!

Thank you to the farmers who take such great care of their crops and to the food itself!

Also at the farmers market this kept calling out to me.  I'm not normally a basil person, but I figured I'd look up recipes as it was only $1.50 for a huge bunch!

It turns out the recipes are in the brain or heart.  I made quinoa, chopped this up, and added a bit of lemon juice and olive oil for lunch/dinner.

De-li-cious!!!  Soo amazingly good, clean, fresh, and fabulous!! 

I believe I know what I'll be eating for much of this week! :-)

Thank you, basil, for showing me your special flavor and inviting me to play with you!

After a really spot-on yoga class, I asked the teacher if I could observe her after she gets back from traveling and the school year has begun.  I'll be done with teacher training as of a week from now, and I really want to continue my learning.

She understood exactly why I was asking, and shared with me her experiences!  Oh, relief and peace, thank you!  It's an honor and a privilege to be able to continue to learn...and this class comes right before a meditation class I intend on attending on a regular basis! 

Thank you, teacher person, for your wisdom and understanding! Thank you for welcoming me ahead on my journey of learning, and thank you, too, for an amazing class tonight!

Last, but by no means least, tonight's meditation class was amazing!  It was a bit spunky, a whole lotta love, and some other cool stuff!  Part of it (the mantra) has been in my head and heart all week, so that was special to hear it!  Let's just say it was exactly where I needed to be, and I'm grateful for all of it!

Thank you to all who were in class, shared, and contributed to this very special evening!

Of course, massive thanks goes out to the millions (or so it seems) of tourists visiting the DC area for driving efficiently enough so I could make it to class x 2 on time- even though I left a bit late. 

Thanks also goes out to Mother Nature for a phenomenal thunder/lightening/rain fest that has been on going since about 6:30 pm and woke me up at 4:42 am.  What a treat to sprint into my home with the sky a light, the air a sound, and being soaked! :-)  Raw elements..thank you!

So, how about you?  Have you had a super Sunday of gratitude?

For what are you grateful at this moment?

Share with me, as we celebrate being grateful!

Thank You Life Lessons!

Yesterday I co-taught my third, and final, yoga class before "graduation" and teaching my practicum. 

I went in with a few specific "I will..." ideas, even though I knew (for almost full certainty) that they weren't best. 

After the completion of the class, my super compassionate co-teacher provided me with some very key feedback.  She explained to me what I had done well, and specific areas of improvement.

On the long drive home, I reflected and continued to do so for much of the night. 

Initially I was very, very frustrated with myself, but I realized if I hadn't been so stubborn, I might not have been on the receiving end of much needed feedback.

S's feedback probably wouldn't have come up eventhough I believe it was necessary for me to go beyond where I'm at now with my life learning.

Before going to bed, I wrote two words and stuck them under my pillow (a not-so secret trick I use to help with many thing...):  compassion and gratitude.

When I awoke this morning, I realized that I am just a person learning in life.  I wouldn't beat up a tree for not growing as fast, nor would I scold a bird for not being able to fly so high.  Why lecture myself when I'm just learning? 

Thank you, S for your patience and honesty.  Thank you life lessons for being there to help me grow more deeply. 

For what are you grateful at this moment?

Share with me, as we celebrate being grateful!

Thank You "on Island Time..."

I'm not a highly competitive person, but I enjoy helping others who are.  Professional volunteer over pro athlete of any kind (or competitive athlete of any kind) is my style. 

I find my peace in supporting others, in refilling sweaty bottles at ultras, while mixing gooey-slushy bags of mystery subtances into bladders, in giving directions to the next aid station, while doing all of the you-don't-know-who-did-it prep work to ensure that races go well, as I heckle runners just because others have taught me well, and in being a mere moment of relief on a long journey. 

I still run when I want, yoga til my heart is content, and delight in a good swim, but just in balance.  Still, a good athlete's blog keeps my fire sparked for maybe a change of heart... or... just a good reminder that we're all in it together in our own wonderful ways.

Even better is a blog that speaks truth... in the very unique ways that resonate with the select group who truly get it...

Like Beth's ...

Yes, being "on Island Time..." is a to cherish!

Thank you, Beth, for this great take on what a week without kids, grades, final exams, parents questioning things, last minute meetings, yearbook distribution, and more is like!

For what are you grateful at this moment?

Share with me, as we celebrate being grateful!

Thank You L!

I co-taught my first yoga class with L this morning!  A lovely 6:30 am deal that was (classically) taught without my having slept much the night before.

There were six amazing students, one fabulous crystal singing bowl, a beautiful banner of color and inspiration, and well...the most important thing... acceptance.

Despite having sleep-less moments, I knew and accepted deep, deep down that this was what I needed to do.  I prayed, I reflected, and I accepted.  Ah... acceptance!

Class went smoothly, and when L asked my thoughts I told her in so many words that I believed I had messed up a good bit of the first part.  She saw it otherwise, and explained to me why.  Ah... right.. the gentle objective perspective!  So valued and needed in life!

It's been told to me time and time again in this process, that we will make our own mark on the yoga tradition.  At the end of class, I felt comfortable with what that was, and I stepped into it...and accepted it! 

L was a delight to co-teach with.  Last night, just before heading to bed, she sent me an e-mail telling me that today would be "awesome" and an earlier one telling me that she looked forward to today's class!

After having taught for many years, these were some of the nicest, most reassuring, and welcoming words I've ever read!  L provided me with some dandy feedback post class, too... like how I need to learn to project more!  Ah...right... must work on my PE voice!

L, thank you for being an excellent friend and co-teacher!  Thank you for welcoming me into your class, and showing me the way by example!  Thank you for helping me to step further onto my path with warmth and peace! 

For what are you grateful at this moment?

Share with me, as we celebrate being grateful!