"Something has to die in order for us to begin to know our truths." - Adrienne Rich

What can I say...it's been rough lately. First there was the breakdown with my car a few weeks ago, which resulted in two separate repairs. And then today, I was rear ended by a Ford pickup truck behind me, when I stopped at a red light at the intersection of Lemmon Avenue and Oak Lawn. It was traumatic, mostly because I've never been involved in a collision before, other than ones I caused to myself (such as backing out of the garage in my convertible when I was 16...with the driver's side door open.) There was so much traffic so we pulled our cars over to a parking lot nearby so I could gather his information. Turns out, it seems he is uninsured, though I'm still hoping for the best. (But not holding my breath.)...

So, what do I make off all of this? Well, some very well known expressions have definitley crossed my mind..."things come in threes," "when it rains it pours..."

It's interesting because just today in Yoga class, as we were moving through the practice, the inspiration to flow into a certain pose (Parighasana) came to me, so I guided the class to flow into that posture. As we were going into the pose, the transition of moving from Lizard Pose (instead of from The Splits/Hanumanasana) into Parighasana seemed a little bumpy. So, I commented, "Sometimes it can get a little bumpy, the flow doesn't always feel smooth. But, the bumpiness doesn't have to be jarring...it can be freeing, if we allow it to be." I often prophesize my own reality through my teaching. And, I get to live what I teach...which is a blessing, though it can sometimes feel like a curse, initially.

Today, I got jarred. I was emotionally distraught, given the situation with this person, 1) Not even apologizing for the accident and 2) Appearing to be uninsured. Of course I can see the blessing that no one was hurt and my car is still driveable, etc.

Yet, the time I spent feeling that way, is far less than how much time I spent being consumed when traumatic times happened in the past. I can only attribute this growth to the practice of Yoga and Meditation. Let's see, I'm sure there are a few quotes I can share with you about embracing adversity and discovering the blessing, and opportunity for self-liberation in any misfortune.

"Trouble has no necessary connection with discouragement; discouragement has a germ of its own, as different from trouble as arthritis is different from a stiff joint." - F. Scott Fitzgerald

"Whenever you fall, pick something up." - Oswald Avery

"I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection." - Thomas Paine

"Wise men ne'er sit and wail their loss, but seek how to redress their harms." - William Shakespeare

"I have seen boys on my baseball team go into slumps and never come out of them, and I have seen others snap right out and come back better than ever. I guess more players lick themselves than are ever licked by an opposing team. The first thing any man has to know is how to handle himself." - Connie Mack

"A man has no more character than he can command in a time of crisis." - Ralph W. Sockman

"Let no feeling of discouragement prey upon you, and in the end you are sure to succeed." - Abraham Lincoln

"Happiness is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it." - Anon.

"Don't curse the darkness-light a candle." -Chinese Proverb

"Always take an emergency leisurely." - Chinese Proverb

"Do not lose your inward peace for anything whatsoever." - Saint Francis de Sales

Also, I wanted to share one of the candles I am currently lighting. Twee Merrigan, who was recently featured on the cover of Yoga Journal Magazine last month, will be coming to Dallas in 2008 for a workshop! She is Shiva Rea's lead assistant and it is a blessing to be in her Presence. I will share more details when I have them.

Here's to Happy Holidays, not because of the circumstances we find ourselves in and our perception of them being prerable or not so preferable, but rather, to the celebration of Spirit and the Infinite Blessings it brings into our lives when we allow ourselves to open up to it and trust the blessings to be there in everything. Read more