Everyday Yogini

Thank goodness for crafty friends.  Although I aspire to be crafty, I’m a bit lacking.  My friend Gretchen is amazing.  Have you seen her Etsy Store? On a number of occasions, I have emailed her and said, “I need something sort of like this, with a bit of that… do you think you could come up with something?”

And she does.

Evidence #1: The little black cocktail bag

I have a really cute, retro, clutch that I take to cocktail parties, but I wanted an alternative AND, most important, something I could hook on a finger so I can hold my water glass at the same time I’m shaking hands. You can’t imagine how important this is!

So I was chatting with Gretchen and presented her with this problem. Told her I wanted something small, black, felted, and with an art-deco-ish feel. CAN YOU BELIEVE HOW GOOD SHE IS??? I love this little purse so much! It is perfect. Absolutely, 100% perfect.

Evidence #2: The Nature Bowl

Taking inspiration from Soule Mama, I asked Gretchen if she could make me a nature bowl. A place where we could hold all of our seasonal treasures on the dining table, so we could see them, touch them, interact with them…

I am beyond pleased with this bowl- the tiny bowls add an extra dimension of wonder to this set up. Clara is loving switching out what goes into the little bowls. When we are out and about, she looks for things that can place in her little bowls.

Isn’t Gretchen amazing?? I *heart* all things made by hand, with care- especially when those things come from those I love. Thanks Gretchen! I am so inspired by her inspiration, I am going to do most of my holiday shopping on Etsy, or (gasp), make it myself. Wish me luck, and today I leave you with another picture of the nature bowl. Isn’t it perfect?

My dear, sweet Father sent this video to me. You know, I don’t know why people do the things they do. I really don’t. But this? This just filled me with such joy. Honestly, I was brought to tears by the end. Why? I have no idea. But I am grateful that people do these sort of crazy things and share them with the world.

Check it out. Is it not sort of “It’s a small world” for the modern era?

May your heart be an altar, from which the bright flame of unending thanksgiving ascends to heaven.

Happy (late) 4th of July, Yoginis! Independence Day for my beloved country. Last night, we attended a reception at the ambassador’s residence. Over 3,000 people came to celebrate the Independence of the United States. Many people, from many countries, expressed sincere congratulations. One gentleman even insisted that, “This day is the most important day for the whole world.” Wow.

I have a tendency to focus on the policies, people, and lifestyle choices that really annoy me in the United States (all in the name of “critical analysis”- how about calling it what it is- griping- instead of taking action). Yesterday, I was given a really powerful opportunity to reflect on the wonderful things about our country. As my husband said, “Despite who is in power, the principles that our country are founded on remain the same.”

Honest to God, I think that we are at an incredible crossroads in our history. A place to make the future a place that our grandchildren will want to (be able to) live. One of the things I love about America is the ability to rise to the occasion, do what it takes, and do it all with a distinctly American twist. I suspect that many others are tired of the infighting and seeming inaction in DC, which is why so many grassroots organizations are springing up like wildfires… I believe that Americans just like you and just like me are ready to build a new nation- reinvent ourselves and set the standard for the new world economy.

I am grateful to be in this time and this place in history. Sometimes it is scary to look ahead and not know if there is a happy ending waiting or to wonder if things are going to have to get significantly worse before they get better. But in my heart I believe that America is equal to the task at hand.

I am proud of my country and I am proud of my husband for serving in the role he does- creating ties and connections with other nations, building relationships in a climate where the US may not be viewed in the best light. He is brilliant and I know he does what he does because he deeply believes in our country. As a first generation American, he really appreciates all that the United States offers and is also an amazing example of who we are as a nation…

So, on this Independence Day weekend, what are you grateful for? What way does your community, your State, or your Nation shine for you? Remember to leave a comment if you link so I can go see what everyone is feeling grateful for! Happy 4th of July, Yoginis!

Although we’ve been having some internet connectivity problems, I was committed to showing up tonight to get my fill for the week. Fill of what?? Well, gratitude, of course!

As I mentioned last week, I would like to take Fridays to focus on the fullness of life- Italians have a lovely way of asking this in everyday conversation, which is loosely translated as “tell me something beautiful”. I invite you to share some of the richness of your own life on your own blog, or here, in the comments. Mr. Linky is available below for you to share your posts of gratitude with everyone, should you choose to blog it!

So without further ado…

I am intensely aware of how grateful I am to feel my days fill up with productivity. It occured to me at some point this week that as soon as Clara entered school in DC, I probably should have started looking for work outside the home. But of course, that wasn’t possible at the time. And really, the work I will be doing here just feels like a good fit for my skills. This seems to be a great place for me to offer up the best of who I am and, with any luck, help the people around me do their jobs a little better.

Having had a few weeks off from my Yoga classes, I am excited to be beginning a new month of classes next week. I enjoy developing classes around a theme, and this month we will be focusing on compassion, or, more aptly perhaps, befriending our bodies. I love to develop class plans, because it is always a great opportunity for me to think about my own practice and reflect on how a particular idea has shaped my life. Learning to honor, respect, and listen to my body with a compassionate heart and an open mind is one of my biggest life lessons, and is certainly a great benefit of engaging in a physical practice like Yoga. You can expect to hear more on this throughout the month, but for now, I am grateful for the chance to reflect on my own practice and think of ways to bring this concept to life for my students….

Tomorrow is Erick’s birthday and we will be taking a day trip to the beach. This beach to be precise. I have heard from many people that Sperlonga is a hidden treasure of beachy love on the Mediterranean. I feel a deep and abiding adoration for water, sand, sea shells, and rocks and hope to infuse Clara with this passion. Of course, my fair skin is ill-suited to long, hot, days baking on the sand, but thank goodness for beach umbrellas! You can rent them on practically any beach here and it makes for a fabulous, relaxing, burn-free day!

Lastly, I am grateful for all the wonderful bloggers that make me smile day in and day out with their fabulous, insightful, funny posts. Like her, and her, and, of course, I can’t forget her! I feel so fortunate to have collected such a wide variety of blogging friends…

Mr. Linky is waiting for your gratitude blog, Yoginis! And, as the Italians say, “Buon Weekend!”

Yes, I have been gone.  Erick, Clara, and I went on a much needed little vacation this last weekend to a little Etruscan town in Northern Lazio, Tuscania. Erick is amazing at finding the perfect little places for our family, and this long weekend was no exception. We stayed at a beautiful agriturismo, Casa Caponetti, an amazing old farmhouse that sits on 60 acres of lush Italian countryside.

The best part of our weekend was watching Clara play outside. That may seem silly and a bit odd, but she had the opportunity to explore bushes, long grass, a frog pond, feeding horses, pigs, cows, dogs… all in a setting where I felt comfortable letting her go off without me having an eagle eye on her every move. One of the precious gifts of country living is the ability to give your children space to roam and do nothing (and everything) without parental guidance every second.

As I watched Clara play, it was bittersweet. I felt deep gratitude for my own childhood living on a fairly large piece of property with woods, a large garden, animals… it was wonderful to see Clara enjoying that same sense of wonder and delight at being outside, exploring. I felt a little sad that Clara doesn’t get to live like that day to day.

My next thought (in large part due to my ongoing gratitude practice) was to focus on the positive. Clara will be comfortable in both a city setting and in the country. I remember the first time our family moved to a big city- I was terrified and didn’t know what to expect. Because Erick and I have a deep and abiding commitment to exposing Clara to nature as often as possible, she will hopefully be at ease, and respectful, of both life in a city and a life that is closer to nature.

A month of gratitude has come and gone, and I am tempted to continue, honestly. Knowing that I will be documenting my gratitude here heightens my awareness of the blessings hidden in every nook and cranny of life. Many years of my life have been spent as a complainer and a cynic - the practice of gratitude is slowly transforming these parts of my personality that I always thought of as “fixed”- focusing on it every day has really hastened the transformation!

That being said, I think once a week will have to suffice. I would love to see a community of grateful hearts come together in the blogosphere… if you are inspired to share your own gratitude practice, please tell me. Starting next week, on Friday, I will post a Mr. Linky for your gratitude-ease.

As I pulled the rolladens up this morning, Clara tore into the room and then stopped abruptly.  With rapt eyes, as only a small child can have, she asked, “Mommy, is the sun rising?” I answered in the affirmative and she began to clap excitedly- I imagine to congratulate the sun for yet another stunning performance…

I love her curiosity, imagination, and energy. It is infectious. Having a child has been the hugest blessing in my life. Ever.

Later in the morning, before teaching my Yoga class, I had time for a “coffee meditation” (see? it can all be Yoga!) and a gatha (filled with gratitude) came to me:

As I sit quietly here with my coffee,
I vow with all Beings,
To appreciate my favorite beverage,
Sip by delicious sip.

As life has become busier here- and pain has gone on and on- the thing that has fallen by the wayside has been my workout time. And boy, I miss it. Now that I am getting into a routine and know what to expect, I am starting to strategize. Because I need my cardio and strength workouts (in addition to Yoga practice) for my peace of mind.

Today, I took 20 minutes before Clara’s bathtime to get on the treadmill and walk as fast I could on an 8% incline. 20 minutes isn’t that long, but I felt like a new woman when I got off that treadmill. I got Clara into the tub and practiced some Yoga and some abdominal exercises while Clara supervised from the bath…

I think I am particularly grateful for the energy to move my body- the ongoing nature of the pain I experience means that I am very aware of what I DO have (there are lots and LOTS of people who live with a lot more pain than I do, for sure). Today was a relatively pain-free day, and it feels good to take advantage of that… so while I was on the treadmill, I offered up that feeling of relative ease to all those who might be suffering ongoing pain- giving away the gift I wish most for, so to speak.

And I will leave you with another lovely quote on living a life of gratitude~

“Gratitude consists of being more aware of what you have, than what you don’t.”
–Unknown

“Gratefulness enables us to find peace in all circumstances by freeing us from resentment.  As long as we are merelythankful, we give thanks for what we perceive to be beneficial, yet we retain the lurking fear that something harmful may come our way instead. To be grateful is more. It is our courageous trust that life itself – kind or harsh, happy or sad – is good, if only we receive it as gift.  The gift is the opportunity either to fully accept or to change what the moment brings.”

-Gratefulness.org

Another fabulous quote from my new favorite website… I really like this because despite my happy, sunny posts, I am still dealing with ongoing pain- which was supposed to be fixed. Perhaps that is why I am adamant about focusing on what is beautiful and good in my life.

I think I am working toward a sense of faith that this, too, is a gift and a blessing for me to fully accept and embrace. Underneath my fear that this may never end, (or that it will continue getting worse and worse) I think I do believe that this is a gift. I have certainly become much gentler with myself and also listen a lot more closely to what my body needs- something I’ve never been very good at. I’m not ready to declare full-on gratitude for my health challenges, but I’m ready to nod my head in acknowledgement that this may, in fact, be a truly transformative time in my life.

And I am very, very grateful that I am beginning to see and feel things differently.

“We cannot be grateful unless we are grounded in the present moment, and we cannot be grounded in the present moment unless we are grounded in the body. Much of the time we live like disembodied minds, not even noticing what’s around us, but preoccupied with past and future. But when this mug of tea warms first our hands and then our stomach on a cold day, or the cat purrs contentedly in our lap, we are suddenly present and grateful.”  

-Gratefulness.org

How delighted was I to come across this unbelievable website today? I could hardly pull myself away from reading through the articles and other features! I love it!

Boy am I behind.  It’s not that I haven’t been grateful.  It’s not that I haven’t thought about blogging my gratitude.  I’ve been busy, away from the keyboard and screen.  And that in and of itself is something to be grateful for.  

A few tidbits of gratitude from the last four days…  

Last night, Erick, Clara, and I went to dinner with some new friends.  Have I mentioned their little boys, Peter and Blair? Well, if not, I have been remiss.  It is just magical when Clara gets around those boys.  She loves them.  In fact, Clara and Peter hold hands and walk down the streets of Rome together and grouse at each other like an old married couple!  They are so perfect!  In any case, last night, while the adults finished up with dinner, the three kids went outside and were playing hide and seek on the sidewalks of Rome.  The windows were open so we could here them play and it was just a beautiful time. (Please don’t be alarmed.  Blair is 9, Peter is 5 and yes, Clara is 3 1/2, but Blair keeps a close eye on Clara.  It’s quite sweet.) 

Today, the family ventured out to  Villa Doria Pamphili, in search of the Rome Yoga Festival. We never found the festival, but we did enjoy the gardens and the beautiful Villa. Afterwards, we had possibly the best lunch we’ve had in Rome to date. I’m always, always grateful for delicious food and relaxing family time. Especially since….

Tomorrow, I am starting my new job at the Embassy. I am excited to begin and grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the mission and get out of the house and use my brain cells a bit! It will be a bit hectic, I’m sure, but it will be worth it. And, without our domestic, none of this would even be possible. He completely keeps our lives in order here- may I never take this gift for granted!!

Also, the first series of Yoga classes is coming to an end this week. The beginning class will continue on, due to high demand and a lovely, lovely group of ladies! I am also so pleased to have the opportunity to share the practice that I love so very much with other people. What a joy it is…

I have to say that I am also grateful for the practice of conscious gratitude. It is so powerful. I keep saying it, but it truly changes everything to focus on the things that we are blessed with in life. I hope you find time to make this practice part of your lives.