I just wanted to put out a quick note about a local law firm.  I have had to contact Welwood Wiens & Warkentin , in Abbotsford, a couple of times this past year, regarding both business and personal issues.  Both times I was advised that the best course of action was no legal action at all. (to be honest, I found this a little surprising and quite refreshing)  Both of the lawyers I spoke with took their time, answered my questions and mapped out some possible courses of action.  I’ve posted a link to their site  www.w3law.ca    Hopefully, you will have no need to contact them, but if you think you do need some legal assistance, it might be worth checking out their site.

Even though we had our turkey dinner last weekend, this is Thanksgiving, and it seems like the most appropriate time to contemplate gratitude. Gratitude changes everything. When I’m grateful, everything shifts. When I’m mired in negativity, focusing on what is working, or what I do have seems to bring me out of that dark place. I know it sounds corny, but it’s true. Last May, I went away on a weekend retreat, the focus of which was gratitude. Sometimes, it seems like an “out there” intangible concept, but when I came home, I was able to actually put it into practice, in my real life. The following is an excerpt from my journal, after that weekend:

I came home from my weekend to a pretty messy house (it wasn’t that sparking when I left, though, to be fair) So this morning, I was cleaning up the kitchen and while I was scrubbing the stove, I started on that chain of thoughts, “I’m so mad, how come he didn’t clean up, why do I have to do everything?” and then I stopped. And I thought about how grateful I was to have a home to clean, how grateful I was to have a husband and family to look after, and everything shifted. It was ok to be cleaning the stove, I wasn’t resentful or angry at my husband for not doing it. In that shift, I acknowledged, that he’s doing the best he can, and always goes out of his way to help me.

This is far from “deep” or enlightened, but I can tell you, it made a huge difference in the rest of my day. If I had kept on that train of negative thoughts, I’m pretty sure I would have let my husband know how irritated I was, and things would have just kept spiraling from there.

There are times, in our real, hectic, chaotic lives, when we can “shift”, focus on gratitude and everything changes. Eckart Tolle says that, “The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation, but your thoughts about it.” Catch yourself ruminating, and turn it around. What can you be grateful for in this moment? This my plan for the week – Turn it Around & Be Grateful.

But I digress. What am I thankful for on this wonderful holiday? I’m grateful for the opportunity to open the studio, to put it out there, and see what happens. I’m grateful for every single person who comes to the studio, who comes along my yoga path. I’m grateful for the unwavering love and support from my husband, my parents, my sister, my children and friends. I’m grateful to be here, in this lifetime, taking it all in. The list is never ending. I’m grateful for all of it.

What are you grateful for?

PS: I’m also grateful to live in Canada, a beautiful free country, where we all have the right to vote in free, democratic elections. The government is by the people, for the people, so please go out and vote tomorrow!

Wow! The first week at the studio has come and gone, and what a week it was!

It was exciting, nerve-wracking and crazy, and wonderful. What made the week really special was seeing all of the familiar faces and sharing the new space with all of you. Without you, it just wouldn’t have been the same. To those of you who came down to see the new studio, thank-you – you really made my week. If you haven’t had a chance yet, no worries, we’ll be there when you’re ready.

Another thing I noticed this week was the love and support I have from family and friends. Flowers, cards, phone calls and hugs. As all of this love and attention poured in, it occurred to me that none of “this” would matter if it weren’t for the people I love and the people who love me. Doing this alone would have felt meaningless and pointless, really. Who do you have in your life that makes it all meaningful?

I’ll continue to develop this blog and weave in some yoga philosphy as we go. Right now, I am very studio focused, so my entries may not be as frequent or substantial as I’d like. Until then, I’ll keep breathing and learning, and breathing and learning, and breathing and learning…..

This is my first post!! Cool.

We’re way deep into getting the new studio ready. Seems like we’re working all the time and my own personal practice, well, let’s just say it’s non-existant. Part of me is freaking out – what kind of yoga teacher doesn’t practice? Another part of me knows that this all part of the process. My practice is patiently waiting for me, eager for my return. I love this about yoga and meditation – it’s always there when you need it. After my seizure in February ’08, I really dove into my meditation practice, morning and night. It was like my brain needed to focus and gain clarity. It really helped in my recovery and it was so comforting to know that anytime I needed it, my meditation cushion was waiting with open arms (well, it doesn’t really have arms, just a nice, comfy spot for my tushy!)

So, I know that my own practice will be once more. And when I get there, I’ll feel at home, alive and refreshed. In the meantime, I’ll take comfort knowing that it’s there, whispering, encouraging, waiting.