To Focus on Gratitude...

To focus on gratitude, has the power to shift our inner and outer experiences.

As I sat down this morning to lament in my journal about not getting good sleep last night and to try to find some inspiration for the day, I took a moment to look out the window hoping to gather my thoughts. What I saw was truly a magnificent morning sky. Because I took the time to really see it, I forgot about not feeling my best. Here lies the power of gratitude. I decided to focus on the beauty in life that I'm grateful for rather than the challenges. Like it always does, the challenge lost at least a little bit of its power and I am ready to face the day with the qualities that come with gratitude... greater contentment, hope and joy.

Life is chock-full of inspiring bits and pieces that each of us can collect and string together like a crystal necklace. The important thing for me is to keep looking for those bits as a practice rather than waiting for happy accidents to make me feel better. What we focus on is predominantly what we will experience. Because gratitude does carry contentment, hope and joy, this is what we experience when we walk through life with an attitude of gratitude. You'll also have more of these qualities to share with others. Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."

Today is my oldest child's 7th birthday. The length of the past seven years is so relative. For her it's a lifetime. For me it feels like it has passed by so quickly. Then again so much about me has also changed dramatically. The change really happened in just an instant though. The moment I first looked in Bela's half-closed eyes my whole world changed. I remember it being the first time I looked directly into a baby's eyes and saw the spirit within rather than just an adorable cuddly little form.

On one of my first days back to work after maternity leave, after I had already been up for hours nursing my baby, dressing her, diapering her, changing her again, pumping, cuddling her, packing her bag for the day, and then taking her to the babysitter, who had also been up for hours as well, caring for her children and preparing for the ones left in her charge, I looked around at all the people and thought about how much energy went in to making sure they grew up. Granted, not everyone gets the kind of love and attention each soul deserves but I knew for sure at that moment that a tremendous amount of work went into their survival. While we each may carry some scars and burdens from our past, we also carry the effort of a mother or mother-figures who made sure we somehow made it. It is impossible to repay the effort one selflessly offers to another but we can offer gratitude by living well and paying it forward. I'm thinking now of the quote by J.R.R. Toldien, "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." 

Yoga for Your Family

I'm about to kick-off a set of classes for little kids, in-be 'tweens and families! I view Yoga as a most valuable tool to develop self-awareness, self-esteem and respect for others. Yoga encourages us  to exercise and balance our bodies, minds, hearts and souls. It is fun, energizing and relaxing! Individuals in every stage of life can benefit from the practice of Yoga. I hope you'll check out some of my new offerings or pass the info on to others who might enjoy or benefit it. Don't forget to check out my website for on-going adult and pre-natal yoga classes around town. www.flourishunlimited.com

COMING ATTRACTIONS!
Family Yoga Event
This Sunday, November 7th 11:15 - noon @ Shine Yoga Center in Hyde Park
Regular class prices apply. Visit www.shineyoga.com for more info.

FREE!!!!! Yoga for 'tweens and Kids 

@ Balance Yoga in Western Hills www.cincinnatiyogastudio.com

'tweens Yoga Open House (ages 10 - 14) this Monday, Nov. 8th  + Monday, Dec. 13th from 5:45 - 6:30 

Kids Yoga Open House (ages 5-9) Monday, Dec. 6th + Jan. 3rd from 5:45 - 6:30 

*** Kids and 'Tweens Yoga Sessions will be scheduled in January 2011 at Balance Yoga