Greetings Avatars, Jedi's, Celestial Beings & all Followers of the Light!

Join me on this fantastic voyage through Time and Space armed with the Harmony of Yoga Sutras and philosophy as my guide.

Friday, November 27, 2009

The Yoga of Giving Thanks....

Today I am thankful to have enough. Thankful to be full in spirit and mentally satisfied and balanced. Yesterday was spent by many speaking the words of gratitude and thanks, but I find it curious that the following day, today Black Friday, is spent by many of the same people who were so grateful and thankful in theory on Thursday, yet are now acting out scenes of desperation at shopping malls around the country. The actions that say, "I need, I don't have enough, I desire, I want." Really? What don't the Majority of us American consumers have that we desperately need? More toys, another cashmere sweater or flat screen with the latest DVD's. These are but physical, temporary and in most cases, poorly made import products designed to keep us reaching and repurchasing on a regular schedule- the corporate conglomerate schedule. Why not rest, rejuvenate and volunteer Friday? I love high quality uniquely beautiful things and have no issue saving and spending for them- for those of you who don't know me personally :o).We can agree that consuming goods is a necessary part of life, however I ask at what rate do we move from filling needs to following unconscious programming that heightens the collective spirit of greed, desperation, gluttony and ungratefulness. How much appreciation does one have for something that is easily acquired, used and discarded- ask your children.This inevitably leads to the crash of depression and perpetuation of materialism for the sake of filling empty spaces in our souls.

Sitting here on my "lucky" red chase lounge typing this blog and sorting thru clothes for donation (ShaktMama Rule #1: although anti Yogic, multi-tasking is a required skill), I'm observing the crisp rays of light shimmering off the neighbors windows and the wind completing it's task of clearing the final leaves from the neighborhood trees. I am grateful for each tree in my line of sight. It was the majestic mature trees nestling this neighborhood of Brookland that drew me here. Trees maintain a special place in the life of man in my opinion. Our little willow tree, planted in our front yard last fall, is still hanging on to life. She makes make my heart smile on even the most hellacious of days. Moving to Brookland, I realized two of my tree fetishes at once, Japanese Maple and Willow trees, one of each resides in our yard. I am grateful for their presence. I am appreciative of their education on how to weather life's storms, standing tall dignified and regale.

Today as I continue to mull over the infinite conditions and situations for which I am grateful, like these Thanksgiving left-overs including King Crab legs! I'm happy to have this laptop to communicate with you and pleased to know my children are cloaked in love all the way across the country and everyone is o.k. with the life we are carving out for ourselves. I'm honored to be a part of the solution as an employer of American "go getters" and have the privilege to be of service to my community and neighbors. I am thankful that although 2009 has seen my head bloodied quite a bit, I have remained unbowed- with a smile.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Another Day of Giving Thanks!

The day was filled with many tiny reasons to remain humble and thankful! Sleeping in for starters, what a rarity in my household under occupation by my mercenary 5 year old and his right hand man, the 2 year old baby Bam Bam. They are in full terror mode in Los Angeles with my mother and their nana and God sister. Fun times for them, quiet time for me.

In route to teach the Giving Thanks yoga class at 10:30am I was pleasantly greeted by Michael Jackson belting out Wanna Be Starting Something followed immediately by Heartbreak Hotel. There's nothing like a good rhythmic beat courting me while I open up the lungs and the let the Beemer stretch and breath on the rarely desolate roads of Washington, DC. I had fun riding the German stallion! Woo Hoo to Irving street connector between NE and NW, newly paved road and no traffic cameras- for now.

Arriving at my dinner destination with my French apple pie and bottles of wine to add to the feast, I actually feel the rising pangs of hunger. For the past few years, fyi, hunger has been a severely diminished drive in my life. But with a few days of rest, rejuvenation and shifting to slow/ hibernate mode and viola! a butterfly is renewed. Mac n' cheese, green beans, fried turkey, cornish hens, dressing, casserole, rolls oh my!