There I was the other day, minding my own business cleaning the house while listening to my iPod and singing ... when tears burst forth. A mixture of deep grief, hope, sorrow, and joy flung the gates to my waterworks wide open. The culprit was James Blunt and his song "Someone Singing Along". In this beautiful song he points out how division, greed, racism, stigmatism, violence, polarization, and legalism are sadly rampant and encouraged in our world, affecting everything from families to nations. Equal parts lament and kumbaya, James' anthem invites us to raise our voices and come together. In my mind and words, it's a call to unity, kindness, inclusion, freedom, and above all love.
This holiday season I've heard multiple stories of exclusion and shame WITHIN families, and there are no words to describe the resultant hurt and ache in my heart. While I'd like to rant and rage against these hurts and harm, I'm going to try a different tactic. The path to heaven, enlightenment, bliss, happiness, or whatever you'd name your deepest desire for goodness and an amazing existence is a Love that's blind, a Kindness without borders, and a Hug without exceptions.
I think in the end life is pretty simple. When we freely give ourselves to cultivate thriving and flourishing for anyone and everyone, we'll find we're already in heaven and bliss will abound in our our spirits. So, this holiday season I invite us to practice giving the gift of kindness without borders and hugs without exception.
#love #kindness #hugs #unity #harmony #bliss #inclusion #connection #yoga #magicman #jamesblunt #upwardspiral #happiness #heaven #enlightenment #blissarmy #blissology #whitelotusyoga2018
Do you want to know what really boils my blood? When people exclude, harm, neglect, shame, and act unkindly or violently toward others! Now, I say that because while it would be easy for me to hate and shame "them", which part of me REALLY wants to do, I'm convinced there's a better way.
During Christmas season Lisa is ALL about watching Christmas movies ALL the time. So, she let me watch my favorite one, "Star Wars: The Last Jedi", the other day. 🙂 In the film, Finn, one of the main good guys hates the bad guys SO much, he tries to sacrifice his life not to save friends, but to hurt enemies. At the last moment, Rose bumps him off course to stop this anger inspired action. When he asks her "why", she responds "That's how we're going to win. Not fighting what we hate, but saving what we love." I bring this up because when I'm animated and driven by hate (which is really easy, tempting, and normal), in the end I only cause hurt and suffering. YET, when I'm motivated and compelled by LOVE, beauty blossoms, harmony manifests, goodness increases, and happiness spreads. So, here's to practicing thinking, speaking, and acting with Love as our guide, energy, and mission!
#love #kindness #goodness #kindness #yoga #magicman #upwardspiral #blissarmy #blissology #kitsaphotyoga
Not long ago at White Lotus Yoga I got the best nickname ever! They dubbed me #magicman (I think Olya started this kindness), and every time they mention me in a post they include this awesome compliment! I share this because our words make a HUGE difference in people's lives. The more affirming, encouraging, and celebratory our thoughts and words are, the more readily big bliss, deep calm, and tender kindness flow from and through all of us. With that in mind: YOU are FANTASTIC! Spread the word!
#love #kindness #encouragement #affirmation #encourage #affirm #unity #community #connection #yoga #upwardspiral #blissarmy #blissology #magicman #whitelotusyoga2018
My goal in pretty much all aspects of life is to spread kindness, care, and unity (aka Love). Since I really enjoy writing (and think I'm decent at it), one way I increase the bliss is via blogs. I think this week's is one of the best I've written, so I'm reposting it, both so more of you can see it and to try and figure out the best time to share blog posts. Here's the intro and link:
Sometime after Thanksgiving I noticed an unsettledness in my spirit, disquiet in my soul, angst in my mind, and ache in my heart. Interestingly, a lot of other people have shared they’re feeling similar things. With winter coming and the season of death approaching, I wonder if we’re experiencing a communal longing. Could it be that regardless of our religious views the anticipation of Advent is hard-baked into reality? I’d love for you to check out my musings below on what we long for and why it matters! :) https://gracenpeaceyoga.com/2018/12/07/the-soul-felt-its-worth/
My goal in pretty much all aspects of life is to spread kindness, care, and unity (aka Love). Since I really enjoy writing (and think I'm decent at it), one way I increase the bliss is via blogs. I think this week's is one of the best I've written, so I'm reposting it, both so more of you can see it and to try and figure out the best time to share blog posts. Here's the intro and link:
Sometime after Thanksgiving I noticed an unsettledness in my spirit, disquiet in my soul, angst in my mind, and ache in my heart. Interestingly, a lot of other people have shared they’re feeling similar things. With winter coming and the season of death approaching, I wonder if we’re experiencing a communal longing. Could it be that regardless of our religious views the anticipation of Advent is hard-baked into reality? I’d love for you to check out my musings below on what we long for and why it matters! :) https://gracenpeaceyoga.com/2018/12/07/the-soul-felt-its-worth/
