Going Om

One of my yoga teachers says it well. And by the way, we all judge. Even the happy people. The goal for me is more about catching my judgments. And I consider myself a pretty happy person I like setting myself up for success. It’s a lot of pressure to put the expectation of complete non-judgment on ourselves in order to be ‘happy’ or whatever label you want to put on it. Some of the most unhappy people I know are constantly striving for that idea of perfection. So I guess I don’t agree with this quote. This concept is constantly thrown out there without consideration of what it really means. Let’s grow our compassion. Maybe there would be less judgment then.

When we leave our physical existence, we often want to leave 'stuff' behind for our children. But I love this perspective so much more. I want to leave my children with love and kindness in their hearts and a knowing that they are worthy and can "be the change they want to see in the world". I want them to know abundance through joy, love, peace, and compassion. I want them to carry this with them long after I'm gone and to feel that was what I left them and it was worth more... than the 'stuff' I manage to also pass on. In the workplace or in community, it's no different. Leaving a legacy is how we've impacted others. Maybe you chatted with someone who felt lonely. Maybe you respected someone who felt disrespected. Maybe you thanked someone who felt unappreciated. Maybe you inspired someone who felt stuck. Maybe you taught someone who felt unskilled. Or maybe your depression taught someone to have compassion. Your need for time may have taught someone patience. Or your mistakes might have taught someone how to skillfully give feedback. We all leave legacies <3

A good reminder during this holiday season

The best gift I ever gave myself was Yoga Teacher Training. I completed my first 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training for my Self. I did not intend on teaching. Of course, I continued to take trainings and teach yoga and meditation after that... but even if you are not interested in teaching, yoga teacher training is a beautiful gift to oneself. Second to yoga teacher training, the best gifts I've given to myself are all the yoga and meditation events and classes and programs I've... taken or participated in. In addition to holistic self development, I've built a wonderful network of beautiful people whom I learn from and associate with on occasion. If asked, these are the gifts I would recommend for your loved ones and your Selves this Christmas. Get a class pass. Book a retreat. Register for a program. There is a variety to choose from. Here are some local yoga teachers and businesses that you can start your search and choose from: Shakti Yoga Embody Yoga & Wellness Transform With Teresa Cell to Soul - Kelly Bursey Yoga and Health Coaching Exhale Pilates and Yoga Studio Elements Yoga & Wellness Nova Yoga LB Yoga Modo Yoga St. John's Meridian Health & Wellness Yoga with Sherry Ryan The Pine Loft Yoga Community Yoga Therapy NL Yoga Kula Co-Op - variety of teachers The Lotus Centre Bodhi Hot Yoga Ocean Yoga Potentiality. A Wellness Company If you are or know another one, please feel free to post here in the comments section. These are the ones I use or refer to the most frequently, but there are many more <3

I think we put too much pressure on ourselves to find our purpose in life. Simply being in this world impacts it. Did you smile at the cashier in the grocery story? Did you notice someone's pain and share empathy? Did you bring food to a party? Did you laugh at someone's joke? Did you take care of a pet? Did you care for a child? Did you volunteer for the school? Did you sit on a committee? Did you cook supper for your family? Did you breathe the air and get calm and go about... your day bringing that calm energy to others? Did you listen to the music someone created? Did you create something for others to enjoy? Maybe you frowned at the cashier. Maybe you yelled at your kid. Maybe you felt guilty for not bringing food to your sick friend. Maybe you were grumpy at the party. Maybe you lay on the couch for a week and did not get a shower. These things bring something to the world too. What if we stopped focusing on what our life purpose is and just focus on cultivating our holistic health and wellness and sharing that energy to whomever needs it that crosses your path? Sure, you may have goals and you may do this through your work/vocation. But is there really a need to know your 'purpose' and be clear on that? Can we just 'be' in this world and allow that to be our 'purpose'? Feel free to tell me otherwise. I have often debated this in my head and with others.... and I keep coming to this answer (although 20 years ago I might have had a different answer). Love to hear your thoughts on this <3

Here we are - Pamela Martin McDonald from Meridian Health & Wellness and me - talking a little about our Mindsight 2020 ~ A Visionary Retreat coming this Sunday, Dec. 6th! Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mindsight-2020-a-visionary-ret

Mindsight 2020 & COVID-19 - https://mailchi.mp/1d43/om-news-om-for-the-holidays-4668257

On Dec. 6th, you are invited to Mindsight - A Vision Retreat - https://mailchi.mp/7089/om-news-om-for-the-holidays-4667533

I am excited to announce a collaboration with Meridian Health & Wellness to offer this one-day Mindsight Vision Retreat on Dec. 6th, 2020! We have designed a day that will cultivate self-acceptance, grit, resilience, and joy as you move out of this unprecedented year of 2020 and into 2021 with more clarity and authenticity. The day will include yoga, meditation, nature, connection, dancing, journaling, dyading, community, mindfulness, laughter, joy, vision, and love.... We can't wait to share this day with you in the beautiful space of The Pine Loft Yoga Community in St. Philips-Portugal Cove! Lunch is included and catered by Thyme Catering and Cooking School. *Limited spaces due to COVID-19 regulations.

Oh yes the below is so important now. I have to be transparent here, though. I can feel the underlying agitation that surrounds us and I find myself being challenged to be the kindness at times. If you feel this way too, It’s OK. Remain aware. Take care of yourself. Do yoga. Be with nature. Talk with friends. Attend retreats. Write. Exercise. Scream. Meditate. Dance. Do what you need to do to release the tensions and irritations and heaviness of the world. If you mess up, it’...s OK too. We all do. Practice releasing the weight that comes from the guilt and shame that results from messing up. Apologize. Learn. Keep going with an intention of kindness ************************************ As the world fights to figure everything out, Biden, Trump, Covid, BLM, Life...I’ll be holding doors for strangers, letting people cut in front of me in traffic, tipping generously, sharing food, giving children a thumbs-up, being patient with sales clerks, smiling at passersby. WHY? Because I choose to live in a world where love is visible. Join me in showing kindness and understanding and judging less. Be kind to a stranger, give grace to people who may be having a bad day, be forgiving with yourself. If you can’t find kindness, BE kindness.