Hi…wow…so I’m catching up from my family having been in town for over a week.  It was really good to see them.  I’m grateful for all the time we got to spend together and the time I got to spend with my nieces and nephews, too.  They are really awesome.  They are 12, 13 and 15 and live in Ohio.  I hadn’t seen them in a year. It was really powerful for me to realize they are a connection to my father, also.  It’s almost like I had forgotten he had made such an impact on their lives, as well, until I saw them this last week.  I felt like my father’s spirit was with us and very much alive in my connection with them.  I felt like my dad lives on in their hearts and minds simply through their rememberance of him.  They are the children of my sister who is my half-sister through our mother.  So, while they are not related to my father in blood, I realized this doesn’t matter, at all.  They are completely related to him in Spirit. 

This was something my father reminded me of before he passed away.  We were having a discussion one day about raising children and what my life might look like.  I talked about the possibility of having a child versus adopting a child and he said to me that whether you adopt a child or have a child, the child becomes your own either way.  It’s not the blood that connects us, ultimately.  It’s the spirit.  It’s the spirit that unites us whether that’s in our families, our friends, our country or our world.  And, technically, if we trace it back far enough, we are all connected and related one way or another, I’m sure, I believe that’s true. 

I feel like I have a lot of stuff to share with you, but let’s start here.  Besides the book I’ll most likely be writing…yea…(which will be published in Spring 2011) I’ll also be adding the membership section to the True Yoga Blog and website soon.  (And it will be really affordable…probably like $5/month.)  With the membership section you’ll have access to online Yoga videos with me, and, eventually, other inspiring instructors, as well, plus so much other awesome information, too.  I’m looking forward to bringing you an online store with awesome and inspiring products I love, plus, recipes, wellness coaching and more.  I hope you will find the True Yoga blog and website a community that supports and inspires you in growing well in body, mind, heart and spirit and being the best you can be in every way…physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. 

I mentioned I’ll be participating in a Yoga competition.  I didn’t ever think I would be involved in such a thing, but, I am going to participate in a way that’s healthy and balanced, rather than obsessive.  Sometimes I have the tendency to obsess about things, as I’m sure we all do.  When I decided to participate in the competition, I started thinking that meant I should practice Yoga everyday.  So, of course this week I was all inspired to get off the ground running with my Yoga regimen.  But, I realized that’s not healthy.  What’s healthy is to listen to my body and what it wants.  The attainment of perfection is an illusion.  None of us are perfect, that is why we are here.  To learn and grow and to understand how we can be healthier and better.  It’s an illusion to think we can reach some perfect destination.  I was reminded of this quote today while I was teaching Yoga class.  Although, I only knew the first part of this quote.  I didn’t realize there was more to it.  Apparently there is also a book called “Be Happy Without Being Perfect” by someone named Alice E. Domar.  That might be one to check out.  Anyhow, here is all of the quote:

“Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and it is the main obstacle between you and a shitty first draft. I think perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run carefully enough, hitting each stepping-stone just right, you won’t have to die. The truth is that you will die anyway and that a lot of people who aren’t even looking at their feet are going to do a whole lot better than you, and have a lot more fun while they’re doing it.”
— Anne Lamott (Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life)

In Yoga the intention and direction of one’s practice is to move inward into communion with our Self and Highest Self/the Atman, which means the spirit within.  In fact, Self-Realization Fellowship just wrote about this in their newsletter…

A Simpler Life is a Happier Life

Happiness is not dependent on external circumstances; rather, it is to be found in the simpler joys of life, and most of all in the ever-new bliss of deep meditation….

Be happy by clinging to the simple, true, and lasting soul-joys. They come by deep thinking, introspection, spiritual inspiration, and meditation.

 Don’t Be Manipulated by False Desires

Some people are habitual impulse buyers of things they don’t need. They fritter away their funds. Get in the habit of shopping carefully and buying wisely. If you have some extra money, save it; don’t “hark to the shark” who is always tempting you to hand over your earnings for some new “must-have” gadget or “guaranteed” investment…. Never be cajoled by anybody’s attempt to manipulate you to desire something unnecessary to your real happiness and success.

Simple living and the acquirement of soul peace and joy bring an all-satisfying happiness undreamed-of by the materialist.

Simple Living Means Freedom, Not Deprivation 

Simple living does not mean poverty or poverty consciousness. There are destitute people whose lives are miserable; that is not the ideal of simple living. Simplicity means to be free of desires and attachments, and supremely happy within.  

When the spirit of man mentally renounces desire for objects of this world, knowing them to be illusory, perishable, misleading, and unbecoming to the soul, he begins to find true joy in acquiring permanently satisfying soul qualities. In humbly leading a life of outer simplicity and inner renunciation, steeped in the soul’s heavenly bliss and wisdom, the devotee ultimately inherits the lost kingdom of immortal blessedness. -The Art of Spiritual Living by Paramahansa Yogananda

I love that excerpt from his book.  I’m so glad they shared that in this month’s newsletter.  I also love this quote they shared:

“When you say to me that you can’t do this or that, I don’t believe it. Whatever you make up your mind to do, you can do. God is the sum total of everything, and His image is within you. He can do anything, and so can you, if you learn to identify yourself with His inexhaustible nature.” -Paramahansa Yogananda

So, here is some more fabulous news.  The Dallas Cowboys stadium will be hosting a Yoga event on August 21st and some of the proceeds go to support Susan G. Komen For the Cure.  You can also learn more here.  Basically, the class will be led by a Baron Baptiste trained Yoga instructor from Dallas.  And the music will be by Wade Morissette, who is Alanis Morissette’s brother, and he is awesome.  I love his music.  If you are not familiar with it, you’ve definitely gotta download some of his songs on iTunes.  Some of my favorite songs are Om Narayana, Om Namah Shivaya and Hanumana.  Also there is another great Yoga class and event happening this Saturday at Tsada Yoga.  The event is being led by Deanna Andersen and Steven Haun and it’s called Summer Lovin:  Groovy Yoga Flow and Raw Food Feast.  Sounds like a really fun event.  I may check it out.  We’ll see.   And, of course, I’m a big fan of the renowned motivational leader, Tony Robbins.  Did you know he has a new show called Breakthrough on NBC?  I only caught the last few minutes tonight.  This was the first episode.  Apparently, there will be 5 more episodes and I’ll be tuning into those for sure.  I love him.  He says to watch with your family and friends and remember what you know in your soul…that we are more than anything that can ever happen to us.  Also, this is  a great video to watch of Bob Proctor.  He is one of the contributors to the movie The Secret.  I’ll be back soon to share more with you, until then, have an excellent week.  May God’s grace illuminate our hearts and minds with each breath we breathe and may we know the abundant flow of His love and blessings into our lives.  Om shanti~

Also, here are a couple of quotes by Rev. Lee, the minister of Agape Center for Spiritual Living in Frisco, TX.  If you don’t get his daily thoughts, I highly recommend signing up for them by submitting your e-mail address to their website.  They are always incredibly consciously aligned with the vibration of the day.  I think you will find them relevant and beneficial to your spiritual growth and consciousness. 

This one is from today:

Given the choice of dreaming or worrying which one would you choose? - Rev. Lee

And this one is from yesterday:

In the silence there is peace. In the silence there is wisdom. Listen. - Rev. Lee

 

And, here is all the info for the Dallas Cowboys stadium Yoga event.  I will definitely be participating in this event