Love Extra Hard

Happy Everything to you and your loved ones!

Day of Peace

I have gone back and forth on whether I should write a post about the horrific tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School.  There have been so many beautiful articles written about the lives lost and how to continue down the road of healing.  What could I possibly offer that has not already been said hundreds of times? 

I am not sure.  But what I can offer is more love and prayers going out to the loved ones who have been affected and daily meditational peace being sent to them from Colorado.  I know that it is not just me, it is everyone that has felt the pain of this tragedy.   Everyone watches the news and thinks “this could have been us, this could have been in my backyard.”  Unfortunately, it has been in the Colorado backyard too many times.   As a community, we know all too well the type of grief that Newtown is feeling.  I have a hunch that there are millions of beautiful prayers being sent daily to Connecticut from this lovely state. 

I have heard some say that sending love and prayers is not enough.  We need action.  I agree, action needs to be taken.  The real question is, “what kind?”.   My hope is that something happens, but not until all of these beautiful souls have been laid to rest.  Let us all come together in peace and send them off to a better place with all the love we can muster up. 

Coloradoans, if you are looking for a way to help heal some wounds, then checkout this event: http://www.coloradodayofpeace.org/ 

*Picture from the Colorado Day of Peace website.

Holiday Yoga

Since the end of the year-long workout challenge, I have found myself gravitating to a sweaty scene that primarily involves yoga.  Perhaps it is healing my body from a year of non-stop sweat.  My real theory is that yoga is teaching me that working out can be enjoyable, every time.  Especially when it is different, every time.  Add that to the reasons I love spending time on my red mat.

With the recent move to the suburbs I have had to explore (a ton!) to find a yoga studio that fits my lifestyle.  Luckily, I stumbled across a gem in Parker called “iThrive Yoga.” Nothing could have prepared me for the view from the studio.  The floor to ceiling windows boast a full view of the Rocky Mountains with a dusting of snow.  It’s the most peaceful picture to stare at while breathing in detoxifying stretches and exhaling things we do not need.

The most persistent pest of a thought that keeps showing up in my life is my lack of ability to stay present.  Especially during the holidays.  Thanksgiving is over and then I cannot wait until Christmas!  Christmas is done and bring it on New Year!  For me, the holidays represent times where more love pours in than the average day.  I think that is why we adore these precious days so much.  So instead of rushing from holiday to holiday, yoga has helped me stay in the present.  Breathing consciously for 3-4 hours a week and moving with intention has the tendency to teach just that.  Presence.

This holiday season I hope you find the things that keep you present.  If you already know what does this for you then please, please share!

A Furry Tale/Tail

Life moves quickly and sometimes it leaves us looking back and wondering why we did not enjoy those precious moments when we had the chance.  A lot of times I am looking to the next best thing to find fulfillment; turning to my yoga mat to try to make this not so.  As of lately, it has not helped.  Time has been flying by and I have forgotten to take a good look at the beautiful life that surrounds me.  Perhaps that is part of the holiday season madness that ensues the normal household, or maybe not.  Regardless, I know it is not the way that I want to live my life.  Presence of the mind and presence in the heart are the key to living a life full of true presents.  Deep stuff.

Since it is the holiday season, I have been thinking a lot about the traditional gifts that come with this time of year.  Of course they are all wonderful, but a week after they are opened the novelty of them has worn off and we are left searching.  Continuously.

This new year, my resolutions will include nothing but learning how to let the endless searching go.  More on that in a few short weeks.

Until then, I am turning to my pets to clue me on what is special in my life.  Yes, this is actually a post about the importance of them.  “Them” does mean two, which means that we have a new furry addition to our family.   We adopted a four-year old fluffy 47 pound chow mix (mixed with what, we do not know) from the Denver Dumb Friends League on Friday afternoon.  She was named Jill by her previous owners, but we had to change the name.  Our seven-year old cat named Jack  would not approve of the nursery rhyme themed pet household.  We settled on the name, “Journey,” instead.

Why Journey?  We are her third owners in four years.  She was in an abusive household for the first few years of her life and then spent the following years as an outdoor dog to a family that decided they no longer had time for her.  The light name of Jill did not seem to suit a dog that has been treated so poorly, she deserved a name that shows her strength and the determination that she showed to find herself a better life.  Now her real journey begins with a family that showers her with belly rubs, walks, treats and occasional loving head bumps from a confused cat.

Yesterday I walked her for thirty minutes and watched her stop every so often to sniff her new surroundings and take what seemed like deep sighs.  When we got home I did some Christmas present wrapping on the floor and she came over and laid in my lap and licked my hand.  I am pretty sure she was telling me this new life is okay, she’s happy here.  She’s enjoying the new moments as they come, at the same time, she is slowly teaching me to do the same.

The real beauty of pets that are well-loved is that they pull us out of ourselves a bit and challenge us to slow down and experience life with them.   So pet owners out there, give some extra attention to your furry friend this season and slow down.  Look at the life around you, it’s beautiful.  Fur balls and all.

Get Moving Colorado!

I promised to continue updating the blog with lots of goodies once the workout challenge finished and I have been slacking.  I hope that this makes up for it and provides some of you with some new running goals to get you through the winter season.