What the World needs now.

This is about how I feel right now. The world needs a group hug. Words escape me and I feel hollow inside. I know, this to shall pass…I suppose (sigh). I am confounded and saddened by all of the judgement and anger amongst each other on social media and in the world. I guess because I know how difficult it is to change deeply ingrained viewpoints and fundamental values. We each have a unique path and private story that has made us who we are today, and a lot of these memories, experiences and moments become a part of us at such a young and impressionable age we often don’t remember why.

It just is.

Whatever these beliefs are we continue to share them with our children, our children’s children and so it goes. The values, judgements, bias, love, all of it.

Why do these tragedies happen? Well the answers are all over the internet. Pick the one that one fits nicely with your life and beliefs. I assure you it is there. I have read so many facts, opinions, statistics and I certainly haven’t found the right answer for me. It’s so much larger than I have the ability to wrap my brain and heart around.

Here is what I do believe wholeheartedly:

If we encouraged each other more than discouraged each other.

If we love each other more than fear one another.

If we stop, listen, gain some perspective with the opposing side and be ok to respectfully disagree.

To acknowledge our differences and understand I’m not here to change you, vice versa…but be respectful.

I think when we begin toacknowledge our differences and compromise rather than create a larger divide and separation, that is when positive change happens. 

Yes, the world has a lot of evil and hate.m, but with Pandora’s box open, perhaps we do this instead:

Look in each other’s eyes and really see the other person – their strength, beauty, passion, faults, insecurities and the life that we don’t know. We have m

All of it. Unconditional, boundless love.

Say “I see you. I see hurt, I see love, I see connection and mostly I see a need to be accepted.” Our ego plays a huge role in our lives. Here is a comforting thought: We all have this ego voice in our head. We are human. Think of it as batteries included, but here is the bigger voice… We are humanity, therefore, we will prevail, stronger, more mindful and with more compassion. We have a choice. Let’s choose to love and being ok with not having all the answers.

My answers might not be your answers. Maybe it’s as simple as reaching out to acknowledge another human for the sake of humanity.

Hug and look at the other person and say “I SEE YOU.”

Wow… It is truly profound. Human connection. Humanity. Try it and see.

Peace, love, respect,

Melissa

A Year Ago Today 

Astavakrasana, also known as Eight Angled Pose. The top photo was taken today; the bottom exactly a year ago today. This photo represents a growth on visual and physical level because I can see the improvements superficially and externally from one to the other. However, way above and beyond feeling stronger physically, I am mentally and spiritually stronger.🙏🏼 

This life, I can choose to live in love and gratitude or I can choose to live in fear and judgement. Whichever path I  choose will breed more of the same. I’m not saying I live a perfect life of love and gratitude all the time. No way, no how. Far from it!! There will be times that fear and judgement show up, but now when that happens, I acknowledge them and just as graciously escort them out. Being mindful of the path I choose takes practice. Everyday saying no to fear means saying yes to love. 

Growth is inevitable, and it is uncomfortable and uncertain. 

No question about it. Believe me, I’m the first to admit it. Ask anyone who knows me. 

So, (pause) when we boldly move beyond these resistant and difficult moments, we are making a choice to live. 

It’s that simple.

 We are all stronger than we think. – Physically, Spiritually and yes Mentally. The transformation of ourselves is happening every minute of every hour of every day, week…month…and year. Most of the time we don’t pay attention to this transformation, we just keep doing, we just keep being, often unaware. 

We just do. (Here’s secret: it’s ok).

 But here’s the thing, I’ll let you in on another secret: Yoga. It  redefines our purpose in life. No shit. 

Yoga is not only refining your body physically, although when you start seeing this, it feels so deeply amazing. Yoga also offers us an  invitation to a reintroduction of ourselves: to our true selves. Guess what else: She is graciously awaiting your acceptance. 

Most of us find our way through asanas or yoga poses because we SEE the physical transformation. We FEEL empowered and stronger when we repeatedly step on our mat, flowing through each pose. Eventually though, this repetitive practice will open ourselves up to a curiosity, an intuitive calling.

 Just wait for it. It might not be this second, hour, day, month or year, but keep moving on your mat… No matter what. 

Never stop. No matter how difficult or inadequate or resistant life becomes. And  one more thing: be patient with yourself and most importantly be willing to listen. Trust me. 

Take life one breath at a time-Melissa