Just in the Mood to Write

Wow lots has happened over the last two weeks. For starters I taught religion school for 5th graders at our church St. Joseph's in Penfield. At times it truly was a practice in patience but all in all I loved it! I was whipped everyday I came home, so I let the laundry pile up and took an hour nap on most days. That helped refresh me so I could do the lesson plans for the next day, get the kids where they needed to go and to teach more yoga. Each day we would get there at 8:15am to set up and the kids would get there at 8:45and leave at 12:00. By the time we cleaned up and headed home it was generally 12:30. Note I teach yoga at 6am and am usually up by 5am! Nick was my helper which was wonderful and my son Timmy said it was the best religion school ever. Hearing those words made all the work and effort worth it - and I would do it all over again for him.

Speaking of Timmy he turned 10 last week - it doesn't seem possible. He was thrilled as everyone came over to celebrate. We had 27 for dinner that evening!!!! Mike and I gave him a tent which he was thrilled to receive! We were suppose to have a camp out over on Saturday but the heavens opened up and it poured all day and we were not able to get the tent up. Timmy took it all in stride and we went out to an awesome Mexican restaurant called "The Blue Cactus"!!! When we got home we gave Timmy his last present which was a scrape book I made for him of his first decade - he said it was the best present - wow I am on a roll - Timmy is good for the ego! Ha Ha!!!

Now onto Monday - which I love Mondays, they are like mornings when everything is possible and fresh! This week we hope to hear some great news about something we have been working towards - so please pass your prayers and positive thoughts this way! When it is a go I will tell you all about it! Meanwhile I have lots of laundry to catch up on along with grocery shopping so you know what I am up to now!!!

Make it a positive and peaceful week!
Namaste.

I Believe....

As I was sitting here waiting for my decaf coffee to brew I started thumbing though the book "All I Really Need to Know I learned In Kindergarten" by Robert Fulghum. I was looking for something to share with the children I am teaching over at St. Joseph's summer religion program. I have often found thoughts in this book very inspiring and was hoping I would find one that will complement my lesson for today. And it just so happens that I was lucky and did. Here is what I found!

"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death!"

Here is to another gift from God - today! Must be going - my coffee is ready!
Namaste.

Toy Story, What a Tear Jerker

Well last night the four of us went to see "Toy Story 3" - Timmy picked out the movie. What I wasn't prepared for was how much of a tear jerker it was and I had no tissues!

The movie brought back beautiful memories of our own boys when they were little guys and how they played with their toys. Some favorites included Buzz Lightyear, Woody and of course all the characters from Thomas the Tank engine. When they played you could see their wonderful imaginations at work. It was such an innocent time of life and there was great beauty in it as I witnessed it.

What the movie illustrated so perfectly was how quickly time passes and that being there for one another is truly the top priority. In other words staying present is key!

After the movie we all came home and hung out in the family room and just talked. No TV just the 4 of us talking and then of course a wrestling/tickling match broke out between the boys which is typical and I have to admit quite funny. Then everything seem to settle again and we found ourselves in the middle of the floor hugging as we had a major pill up on top of Mike.

This truly was one of my favorite evenings ever spent as a family. For that moment we were all truly present and appreciating each other in the simplest ways!

Namaste.

Note: The photo I used was taken over 3 years ago and illustrates how the wrestling/tickling matches begin with the two of them screwing around. How they crack me up!

Authentic Success is a Work in Progress!

Authentic success, what does it mean? Well Webster dictionary describes authentic as, and I quote, "1. Authoritative; 2. worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to fact or reality, trustworthy; 3. not imaginary, false or imitation."

When I read "Simple Abundance" by Sarah Ban Breathnach, her entry for September 15th rang true and clear for me. It starts "Authentic success is different for each of us. No single definition fits all because we come in all sizes. One afternoon years ago, while wandering through an abandoned cemetery, I discovered a wonderful definition of authentic success inscribed on the headstone of a woman who died in 1820: "The only pain she ever caused was when she left us."

Wow that is powerful, moving and something to strive towards.

For me authentic success is sometimes a mystery and at other times I feel as if I am achieving it. Some high points for me are... prioritizing my time properly so that family and friends are on top...answering "if not now when?" with NOW!... knowing in my soul that I did my best and being okay with it regardless of the outcome...Making peace with my past... recognizing my talents and sharing them and not diminishing them when they are recognized by others... making a difference in the world one smile at a time... sharing laughter often and being okay with my tears and the tears of others... truly listening to someone else without interjecting my opinion...valuing my dreams and working consistently to reach them and dream even more... cultivating the attitude of gratitude... and being blessed with faith.

As I reach the cross roads of my life I understand where I have been, liking where I am now and loving the ideas that tomorrow brings. And as I remain present to what really matters, I am achieving my "Authentic Success".
Namaste.

What Does a Great Life Look Like?

Ask a hundred people what a great life looks like and you'll probably get a hundred different answers - But certain answers will make virtually everyone's list.

Most people would agree, for example, that a great life includes something worth living for, maybe even worth dying for. A portion of a great life would be devoted to something BIGGER, greater, grander than yourself. Something that inspires you, energizes you, pulls you forward. Something that responds to your unique Talent or Touch and ultimately, makes a difference in the world around you.

A great life would naturally bring more meaning, purpose, love, peace, laughter, wonder and adventure to your days. And, at the end of your journey you would look back on a life of significance, rather than of regret - knowing in your heart that you left the world a better place than you found it. Knowing that you made a difference in the lives of others. Knowing that you got something wonderful out of it and you gave something wonderful back.

A great life, of course is not something we leave to chance, it is something we create!

This is a reading that I found in Starbucks and the author is unknown to me. I use this at the end of my yoga classes from time to time and I love it! Enjoy your day!
Namaste.