Meditation

Sharing with you, a wonderful quote on meditation tonight....

"Meditation is a surrender.  It is not forcing existence your way.
It is relaxing into the way existence wants you to be. It is a let-go."
-Osho

Meditation comes when we stop trying.  Sit and just breathe and when any distraction takes place....take another breath.  Deep inside, we know how.....we were born to meditate, we just think anything that simple must not work.  Sit in stillness and breathe.  It really is that simple. Let go of your thoughts, cares, fears and worries and just breathe.

Service

The sun came out this afternoon, the skies became blue, white fluffy clouds appeared........I started teaching my class, and the exhaustion disappeared.  There is something about service, about helping others that truly is transforming.  You can be depressed, angry, sad, hopeless, racked with guilt, or sorrow.......and helping others is a game changer.

I have some students at work, who truly needed all that yoga can give........the mind,body connection, the peace, the joy, the awareness, the inward journey......the past two days, they have found their path and it shows in their faces.  For me, the grief became much less pronounced today......helping others, being of service, brought me back to now.....helped me to let go and remember that my friends are no longer suffering.

I often tell my students that if they want to experience a change in their lives......help someone, be of service to someone.......we lose ourselves when we help others......usually our thoughts and troubles  fade in comparison to others.  It has been proven by science that helping others, makes us feel better.

Today is Wednesday, hump day if you will........I hope the rest of your week brings you the opportunity to help someone else.......I hope tomorrow you have blue skies and sunshine.....and I hope you remember, we are not alone.....we all face problems, we all have fears and needs......we are all human.

Exhausting

Grief is exhausting......my fatigue had been almost unbearable today and I could not figure out why.

It dawned on driving home from work......it's the grief, the loss of two friends......the breaking of the heart is painful......and exhausting.

There is raining pouring on the tin roof tonight......soothing and calming......a true balm for the soul.

Rick has made us both a cup of hot tea and I am wearing my favorite pjs.

Wishing you all grace and peace tonight.

Cherish Those You Love

Our circle of life  shifted again last night, we lost another friend .......Mary Grace had fought cancer like no one I have ever known......she was a warrior, but enough was enough.

She has spread her wings and flown to freedom......freedom from disease and pain.

Charlie's funeral was a wonderful tribute to his life......there was laughter and tears.

We sung our songs today with hearts full of love and with much gratitude because we were lucky enough to be his friends.

Cherish those you love, life is short, even if you live to be 100.

RIP Mary Grace and Charlie, we will miss you both.

The Circle of Life

Life really is a circle, it is yin and yang this weekend has proven  it again.......
On Saturday we played The Natchez Trace Festival.......a fun happy time......
On Saturday one of our best friends died......and tomorrow we sing at his funeral.

Charlie was older, in his 80's but he and his wife Yvonne took us in as though we were family.
I loved spending time with them, listening to their stories.  The past couple of years we watched Charlie struggle with serious health issues, beating death time and time again.......death won this weekend.

We visited them a few days ago, and as I hugged Charlie and told him I loved him......I knew, I would never see alive again.  He spent a good part of his life in the public, with powerful people.....but to me, he was Charlie.....charming, kind, considerate......he wanted to make the world a better place.....and he hated social injustice.  He made the world a better place just by being here....he will be missed by many......I will miss his calls and chats.....
RIP Charlie

Ntatchez Trace Festival

A fun day at the festival today..... perfect weather, a good crowd, good sound guy and most important......we had fun.

I love playing festivals.....people are happy, it is usually a beautiful outdoor venue, all is right with the world.

We are booked for the next several months, so there is music, road trips and meeting new friends and seeing old ones......this is the good life.

If you have not attended an outdoor festival lately, now is the perfect time to go......support live music, local artists, and eat festival food!
My body is full of candy, chips, soft drinks, lemonade.....basically I am full of sugar and chemicals.
Tomorrow......I eat healthy.....but it sure was fun today.

Festival Weather

rain on the way, and we are playing the Natchez Trace Festival in Ms tomorrow.....that is the beauty of out door festivals, you are at the mercy of Mother Nature.  We have played in temps over 100 degrees, as low as 25 degrees, in the blazing sun, wind and drizzle.  Thank goodness for tarps, cold water, hot coffee and an appreciative audience.

Festivals are fun gigs, there is always a carnival atmosphere, good food, lots of kids and smiling faces......sometimes the audience is one that roams, especially if there is more than one stage.....no one wants to miss out on anything or anybody.

Hoping the storms pass us by tonight and all of you as well.......here's to blue skies, good music and fun times tomorrow.  We will post pictures.

Full Circle

Full circle......our neighbors had bough property from my parents years ago......they had built a house and like most who live in the country they wanted a little more land.....years went by, sadly there was a split in the marriage, the wife continued to live next door.  This past week, she had decided to sell it back to us.  I felt my mom and dad smiling down on us as we signed the papers today.  Everyone is happy, she kept her house and its surrounding property, but the acreage had become to much for her to maintain.  I see another apple orchard and blueberry row in our future.

Interesting how life does go full circle in so many ways........no matter how we try to control or make do......it goes as it should, when it should.....full circle.

Goodnight, Sweetdreams

Unguarded Thoughts

sharing one of my favorite quotes with you tonight, this one is on my board at work frequently


"Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your own unguarded thoughts."   Buddha

The Importance of Blogs

First, heartfelt thanks for you kind words on last night's blog........it is a heavy, but wonderful responsibility to know that our words touch other lives.  I think through our blogs, we have gathered our tribes........those of us, who have searched for others, for inspiration, for support, for every day kindness and the reassurance that there is goodness in our world.......and lets not forget the all important value of humor.....so many times when I have needed a smile or laugh.....all I had to do was read your blog or comments.

I think it is important, I think it is vital that we continue this blog connection.....our news media floods our world and thoughts every day with the worst possible scenarios, showing we humans at our worst.  Blogs remind us, that we are all human......we have many of the same struggles, values,
hopes and dreams.....and fears.  We are so much more alike, than we can imagine.  We are humans....all  of us..... never forget it.

So let us continue to lift each other up, to share laughter, tears and everything in between.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Five Years

Five years ago tonight, I started a journey that has been life changing.......I wrote the first entry in Transformation Information.   This journey was started as a way to help my students.......but I believe it has changed my life  in more ways than it could ever change my students or yours.

At first, it was so difficult, I wrote from the heart, but there were times I needed to filter my thoughts and words......I wrote about hard subjects, tough life scenarios,tears.....but I have also written about great joy, laughter and fun times.  Transformation is not always serious.

As the years have gone by, I never really spent much time building an audience......I felt that the ones who needed me, the readers I needed......would find me.....and they have.  I have made friendships that I think will last a life-time, though so many of you I have never met.

You all have been there in my dark moments, though the hours spent in the big green chair and all the days of sickness that followed for the past three years.  You sent me prayers and support when I made the decision to stop treatment a few months ago......and I know you still pray for me and send me good thoughts for my health.

Five years.......honestly, I can't believe I'm still here writing, I can't believe you are still reading me.  I hope that my words and sometimes pictures have helped you on your journey.....and that in some small way, I have given you Transformation Information.

I am grateful for these five years......for all of you who read and leave comments......I am humbled
by your loyalty.......I hope our next five years together will be even more transforming ........
thank you for an incredible five years.  It has gone by so fast....... Blessings of good health, and great joy to you all tonight.......thank you for my Transformation.

Diamond Reminder

In his blog last night, my husband Rick mentioned that yesterday really was one of those diamonds......I suppose Mother Nature just wanted to make sure we knew it was a diamond, this morning after a heavy thunderstorm moved through, I looked out our front windows and saw something I had never seen before.  As always after a downpour there were water droplets sparkling on the trees, but the ground itself looked as though it was covered in diamonds.
There were sparkles everywhere, yet no rays of sun beaming down.  My first thought, yep, I got it ......yesterday was a diamond and we just got a reminder of how lucky we are.

I hope your weekend has been as wonderful as ours, but hopefully not as exhausting.
This week starts a busy time for us......we have gigs for the next several weekends....kicking off with the Natchez Trace Festival in Mississippi next Saturday.  We are excited.
Blessings of diamonds to you all this week.

A Very Good Day

Fish Fry today......my nephew Haven and his wife Alesha caught the fish, we fried fish, hush puppies, french fries.......our friend Louis made great slaw......we also had red velvet cake, peanut butter brownies, chocolate cake, coconut cake.......we had a feast.

Pictured.....Haven and me, Jayna and me
the three awesome cooks......can I tell you how tired we are?  But it was so worth it.  Haven did the fish, Jayna and I took care of the fries and puppies.........it was a very good day.

Wish You Were Here

The blueberry bushes are loaded with green berries,  the apple, peach and pear trees seem to be really happy this spring........here's hoping for a bumper crop of fruits this summer and fall.
There has been so much rain we haven't plowed the vegetable garden, but the forecast calls for sunshine next week......those tomato plants will be in the ground before you know it.

If you have never tasted food fresh from its source.......do yourself and your family a huge favor this summer and travel to a local farm and buy truly fresh local produce. There is nothing like picking an apple off the tree or blueberry straight  from the bush, warm from the sun and popping it into your mouth.......well, if you visit a farm like ours that does not use pesticides......otherwise, wash before eating.

Our hens are laying eggs every day now......big brown eggs, with orange yolks, not those pale yellow ones from the grocery store.  We have made them so happy, on our days off from work if the weather is nice, we let them "free roam" ( Jordan coined that term) around the back yard.
When it's close to sunset, we open the door to the hen house and Zeus leads them to roost.
Zeus, is the rooster.

If someone had told me in my twenties that I would be living on a small farm.......I would have laughed very hard.......but these days, I cannot imagine living elsewhere.  I love to visit other places, I love the energy of big cities.....but there is no place like home.

Tomorrow is our annual fish fry, our house will be bulging at the seams with friends and family.
Our tummies will be full of fish, hush puppies and home fries, ice tea and lemonade.  The kids will run around the back yard blowing bubbles and playing games......I will say it now.....wish you were here.

What''s Left

I spent my afternoon with some awesome military guys.......here's a quote for them and you tonight.

" It's not what you've lost that counts, it's what you do with what's left."   - Charlie McGonega'

Always Learning

Always learning......probably if I had a mission statement for my life, that would be it.....well and throw in a little kindness with the learning.

I try to learn something new every day......it might just be fact or some trivial note, a new recipe, information about addiction, work on a new song, a new technique in painting.......just something new......a different meditation, or breathing technique.......I believe with all my heart that we should never stop learning, as along our brain is functioning, learning is imperative.

Jordan had some allergy issues this week, so he spent a couple of days home with me......watching him made me envious.  He is like a sponge, constantly soaking up new things, information, experiences all day long.  About every hour, I would look at him and think......wow, to process that much information, to be that hungry to learn is amazing.

I have always been curious and I think being curious helps the learning process......there have been times in our marriage that I am sure all my questions drove Rick crazy......and my logic is not always the most logical.  :)   I probably would have made a really good detective or researcher.

I believe learning keeps us young ( in heart and spirit) and I also believe it helps with self-esteem and personal happiness.   I have friends who have learned a new word a day for years, others who have mastered cross-word puzzles ( my sister Pat, comes to mind on that one) what ever your passion is, never lose it, never fail to continue learning......it is vital for your survival.

Damp Around the Edges

I love teaching new students, especially when they are apprehensive about yoga.......they are afraid I am going to turn them into pretzels, make them stand on their heads or sniff incense :)   Both of my classes today had new students, and it was a joy teaching .......and as always seeing the faces  of first timers as they experience the joy of yoga.....and the bliss of savasana.

As I was leaving work today I heard rain......pouring torrential rain falling....and my car was at the edge of the parking lot.  By the time I made it to the car, I was drenched and shivering......but at least I had taken my rain coat and yes it was on my body, but the wind was blowing, I had my yoga bag, but nothing for my head.......what can I say, I got soaked.

I am still a little damp around the edges.......I need hot tea, a warm bed and cozy pjs.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

All You've Got

I shared this quote with my classes today, sharing it with you all tonight......



" Now is all you've got, the past is memory, the future is wish.....
now is real."   - Buddha in Blue Jeans

Hardest Lesson

The hardest lesson I have ever learned in my life.......was/is that you cannot make someone change.
Once I learned that lesson, once it stuck in my brain......my life became so much better, so much easier.

I see young and old struggle with that lesson almost daily......I painfully watch friends and family members struggle with it too.  A simple, yet most difficult lesson to learn......you cannot make anyone change.  When you try, you create resentment, anger, guilt and voids that cannot be filled.

People change because they want change......not because they need it or you want it for them.
The saddest words I have ever heard are from young singles about to embark on marriage uttering the words......they will change when we marry, or I can make them change later.

Just as you can't make someone love, you can't make them change.......so teach your children, save them much unhappiness,.......you can't make someone change.

A Ritual

Rituals......most of us have some in our lives.....one of my most favorite was passed down from my mom.  From the time I was a small child I watched my mom put on her make-up every day.....then take it off at night.  My mother was a beautiful woman......olive skin, dark brown eyes, and shiny dark hair.  I remember her brown eye brow pencil, her cake mascara and red lipstick. Her jars of creams, which I thought must be magical potions, sitting on her dresser.

Each night as she took her make-up off and then used her night cream, it seemed like a magical ritual, one that I could not wait to perform.  Her instructions on cleansing your face every night before bed was ingrained in my brain at such a young age. To go to bed without cleansing your face was pretty much a sin.

I love the ritual of cleansing my face before bed, even on the days I don't wear make-up.  There is something so soothing, refreshing and renewing.......to feel the creamy cleanser (never soap) glide across my skin, the sensation of water.....and then the softness of clean skin.  It is like leaving the day behind, letting go of the good and the bad before getting into bed.

Rick and I have been married forty years and only once can I remember going to bed without cleansing my face......this past year, in the throes of meningitis.....I was so sick I could not cleanse my face.  I woke up the next morning, not only still sick, but with the grime still on my face from the day before......it was a most unpleasant realization.

I often think of my mom as I perform my  nightly ritual ( which by the way, I have passed on to my niece Samantha) I laughed at Sam yesterday, she stopped by to pick Jordan up on her way home from work........as she was leaving, she looked at me and said......"I can't wait to go home and wash my face, and get rid of this day."  I knew exactly what she meant.......it feels so good to wash the day off your face.

Lucky Woman

According to Face Book today is National Siblings Day......so here are my siblings.....all but my oldest brother Herbert who died just three months after our mom.

Starting at the left, Pat, Glen, Nell, me, Lynn and Ricky........no one could ask for more loving and kind siblings.  I am a lucky woman.

Be Safe

 The air was thick with yellow pollen today.  Every one was sneezing, coughing or had a headache.....the combination of pollen and a storm system moving in  has played havoc with our bodies.  Today's yoga classes were about as therapeutic as you can get.......

For those of you north of us tonight, watch out.......weather guys here say you all are in  for a rough ride.  Be safe.

Not only were my students not well today, I am feeling a little under the weather too......a nasty headache has latched onto my skull.  A short post tonight.

Be safe and keep your eyes on the sky.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

 

A Good Ordinary Day

 A good ordinary day......hanging out with Rick and the dogs, Sam and Jordan.......enjoyed the warm sunshine.  Routine tasks, nothing special.......practice for the up and coming gigs......but a really good ordinary day.

A good ordinary day is what we need most days......they build the strength, and courage to face the bad ones......and then when we have extraordinary days, well, what can I say......those have to be appreciated with heartfelt gratitude.

A good ordinary day is much like a cup of hot tea......good for what ails you.  Smooth ordinary days build confidence too......so when the days get stormy we can remember the smooth ones......and know and believe that they will come again.

I hope the rest of your week is nothing but good ordinary days......appreciate them for their simplicity and beauty.

As It Should

There had been changes at work, and for the past few days I had felt adrift.......unsure about my classes,  and the days to come.  But I took a deep breath, did a gratitude ceremony, thought about the students needs and mine, talked with my bosses and so far all is working out as it should.

I have to remind myself not to get in the way of the universe, and it's workings.  I am just like many of you, when things change, my first instinct is to try to find a way to control.......silly me.
Truly, when we step back, decide what we want for ourselves and others and then hand it over to the powers that be.......it all works out.....just as it should.

Fear of change and the unknown can stop our lives in its tracks.......we can freeze and imagine the worst or we can look at the whole picture, figure out our needs/wants, do the things we can do......and then step aside with a leap of faith that all will be......as it should.

Tomorrow is my off day......my plans......to hang with the dogs and Rick, maybe Jordan and Sam.....and life will be.....as it should.

Monday Night Thoughts

Pouring rain again today.......monsoons have hit......but the good news,  the pollen was washed away.
For the past few days, there had been so much pollen we could have grown plants on the cars.......as the rain started this morning you could see the thick yellow goop swirling on the ground.

Classes were fun today, new students at work and at my community class.......I love to watch new students embrace yoga especially when they learn how good it makes them feel.  For most newcomers, yoga class is never what they thought it would be......most are usually surprised by how natural it feels.

I saw big yellow and black butterflies today enjoying the nectar from the jasmine......and the hummingbirds have been in a frenzy.  Spring brings such a change in wildlife to our neighbor hood.

I hope your Monday was a good one, that the rest of the week is smooth sailing......give someone a hug tomorrow....we all need one sometime.

   

Easter Pansies

Our pansies out did themselves this week and they were  vibrant in the Easter morning sun.  I love pansies, they are brave, beautiful and tough.  They weather the winters here in Alabama and brighten the often dreary
days of February, showing their color until the heat of May beats them down.

I hope that your Sunday was a good one.  Get a good night's rest, face the week, one breath at a time, one day at a time.....and I hope you laugh out loud every day.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter.......may your Sunday bring peace, hope and joy......may you laugh, love, feel warm sun on your face......and may you rest your weary  spirit and feel renewed by the arrival  of spring.

Grief

And if I go,
while you're still here...
Know that I live on,
vibrating to a different measure
--behind a thin veil you cannot see through.
You will not see me,
so you must have faith.
I wait for the time when we can soar together again,
--both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to its fullest.
And when you need me,
Just whisper my name in your heart,
...I will be there.

Ascension copyright ©1987, Colleen Corah Hitchcock

Julian Lennon posted this poem in memory of his mom who died this week.  It is one of the most beautiful memorial poems I have ever read........

At some point in our life, we will all know loss and grief, but reading this poem gives wonderful hope and comfort.  There is no time limit on grief, no way of knowing when it comes to call, only that it will.

I miss my parents today......it was one of those days that brought a longing to see them, to hear their voices and laughter.  But, I know I carry them in my heart and as long as it beats they live in my memory.

There was an exquisite moon rise tonight......but storms are on their way.  May this Friday night start your weekend with  love and hope......may it be filled with happy memories......and may peace find you where ever you may be.

A Gift

 A gift, for those who think spring will never find them........we call them wild honeysuckles ( actually a member of the azalea  family)  Their fragrance is sweet and light, the blossoms airy and fragile......their color varies from pure white to almost red.  Yes, they grow wild in the woods here.
When I see their blooms, I know spring is here.

For many of you, tomorrow begins a holy weekend, full of hope and promise.......a weekend of family gatherings .....a weekend of promises.  Blessings of peace to all of you.

April 1

April 1......April Fool's Day

April 1......tiny little violets are blooming, I love their color and fragrance

April 1......April showers headed our way

April 1......early Easter

April 1......Samantha, Jordan's mom is 25 tomorrow......time flies

April 1......started the cleaning of the closet today, it is a lengthy process

April 1.....beginning  to get the gardening itch, but must practice self-restraint, still a danger of frost

April 1.....white jeans are ready to wear, and long flowing skirts beckon

April 1..... dogwoods are about to bloom, the apple trees will be next

April 1.....spring is here, I hope it comes your way soon

April 1..... a full moon Saturday night

April 1.....here in Alabama it can be a month of beauty, but also ugly and deadly, tornado season is upon us

April 1....a new month, a new quarter......new opportunities