Reverb11: Day 9 - the power to be super

Day 9: If you were a superhero, what would your power be?

This is an awesome question!  I was so stoked to think about this question.

I thought about all of the fun powers I could have. Flying. Being invisible.  Super strength.  X-ray vision.  Spidey sense.  Psychic abilities. 

But ultimately I came back to how I am currently feeling and thought at this very moment, the power I would want to have is the power to detect lies.  The power to know when someone is 100% honest, trustworthy, and genuine(although flying came in a close second!). 

With the power of detecting lies, I could not only help myself, but I could help others, whereas if I could fly I would likely just fly around all day enjoying the fresh air above the clouds and the sun beaming on my skin, which does not sound like a bad thing, but does only help me. 

And I wouldn't be a superhero if I weren't helping others now would I?

When it comes right down to it, however, we all have the power to be super, whether or not we can fly, or see everyones underpants, or walk on water.  We are all special, fantastic, and super in our own way.

Thankful Thursdays V.3

I had a bad weekend.  


I received some rejection.


I was hurt.


I was confused.


I was surprised.


I was side-blinded.


My friends and family have rallied around me.


They have tried to heal my pain.


They have kept me busy.


They have made me laugh.


They have lifted me up.


They have reminded me that I am enough. 


That I am worthy of happiness, respect, caring, and love.


I am so very grateful for my friends, and my family.  I am ridiculously lucky to have so many people in my life that care for me, root for me, and send me love whenever I am in need.

Thank you!

Reverb11: Day 8 - elephants and babies and yoga oh my!

Day 8:  Joy - Take us back to a moment this year when you experienced pure, unadulterated joy.

A wash of calm and peace came over me when I read this question.  Thinking about all of the joys in my life, brings a smile to my face, and makes my heart feel lighter.  


I could list a few moments from this year where I felt joy, and last months I wrote about my "joy triggers", but I have to be honest first and say that I am uncertain that I have experienced pure joy.  I certainly have a lot of joy in my life, but as for overwhelming, powerful, profound joy, I have yet to experience.  I don't see that as a bad thing, I see it as a wonderful thing, as it simply means that I have this powerful joy to come, better things are heading my way.  I will continue to experience joy in all of its beauty, in its many different ways, and its many different levels.

In the yoga classes I teach, I always tell my students to open their hearts, open their arms, and open themselves to the gifts that life offers them, and when they do they are then able to receive joy.  Of course along with that, we can receive pain, we can be hurt, but I like to believe that the gift of joy, whenever it does come, far outweighs the hurt caused by opening our hearts.


The journey to being fully able to receive joy is a long one, but it is very worthwhile because we are all worthy of joy, we are all worthy of love, and happiness...our problem is that we don't know how to receive these wonderful gifts.  No matter what the reason is, we all at some point or another tend to be unable to receive compliments, gifts, and affection.  I know that I have been a culprit of this, but thankfully not consistently.   


Most recently, I have become an Auntie for the first time.  Looking at my niece, Rayah, brings me immense joy.  When she smiles at me my heart melts.  

Yoga brings me joy.  Teaching it.  Doing it.  Reading about it.  Writing about it. You name it, if it has to do with yoga and it brings me joy.  


Traveling brings me joy.  Meeting new people.  Going to new places.  Learning new things.  Having new adventures.  It is completely joyous, exciting, and expanding.


If I had to choose 1 moment, which I think is the point of this question, I would have to choose bathing an elephant in Luang Prabang, Laos.  Engaging in something so intimate with this amazing creature, was a true gift.  It was hilarious trying to stay on her back while she rolled around and played in the water.  It was a moment where I was completely present.  I had nothing else on my mind, and was living in the moment.

Reverb11: Day 7 - Gift Giving

Day 7. Part 2:  “The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.” (David Viscott) 

What is your gift to give?

Days that I'm feeling down it is harder to think of what my gift is.  Today I had a good day, leaving me feeling much better than I have in the last few days, so I felt very able to share my gifts...yes you read that right...giftsssss.


I would like to think that at 27 years of age I still have more gifts to discover, but I have been very fortunate thus far to discover the gifts that I have.  Even more fortunate is that I have had the opportunity to give my gifts to others, share myself with those willing to accept.


I was brought up in a very loving family, and taught to wear my heart on my sleeve.  My big heart is a gift, as much as it does cause me pain at times, it is a wonderful gift to have and a true blessing to share.


I found yoga, or yoga found me, at a time in my life where major changes were occurring.  I always put 110% of myself into things that brings me joy, and true to my character I put everything into my yoga practice.  It lead to me meet some amazing people, go to amazing places, and live some amazing experiences.  Yoga is a gift, and my recognition of that and my passion for it lead me to change careers and become a yoga instructor so that I can share this gift with others.  

Other gifts that I love to share:
- the gift of listening...I have always been told that I am a good listener.
- the gift of laughter...I am certainly no comedian, but I have been known to crack people up on occasion.


"Every little gift you give of yourself has the potential to make a big impact". ~Samin Nosrat

Reverb11: Day 6 Part 2

There are more than one Reverb prompts to sign up for, so I'm going to answer the prompt from more than one if the mood strikes me!

Day 6. Part 2: What can you do to add ease to 2012?

2011 has had many goodbyes, and it doesn't seem to be letting up as we near the end either!  

I think the best way to ease 2012 is to add another wall.  People close to me keep telling me that my heart is too big, that I trust too easily, and that I let people in too quickly.  I know that those traits open me up to potentially receive more pain, however they also open me up to experiences that I wouldn't have in my life otherwise.  It's a tough decision: potential for pain, or potential for experiences.

2011 was most certainly a year of amazing experiences, mostly due to openness, love, and trust.  This year also involved a lot of pain due to openness, love, and trust.

To add ease to 2012, I don't want to build a complete wall, maybe one of those walls in cubicles that are somewhat thin, both easy to put up and take down, and that you can decorate easily with pushpins.  I need to start protecting my heart, but I know I would be doing a huge disservice to myself to close it completely.  

At the end of the day...or year...ease seems boring to me.  I suppose everything requires balance, some ease, some difficulty.  A graceful balance between the two, with a bit more weight in the difficulty category would be just fine with me for 2012!

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." Helen Keller.