(This post is Melissa’s introduction to the December newsletter. Please leave a comment and let us know if you would like to be added to our e-mailing list!)
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, creates a vision for tomorrow.”
-Melody Beattie
One of the aspects I enjoy about the holiday season is that it is a time for me to reflect and give thanks to everything in my life. There is so much to be grateful for when we really start to think about it, but why do we so easily forget all the small treasures in our life in our day-to-day lives? I think it is our humanity that we forget, and our practice is to not only remember our gratitude but to act from that place of being grateful. It may be as simple as smiling to the stranger you pass on the street, giving a hug to a loved one, or making dinner for your family. And however it may look for you, what is important is that you are coming from your heart. Not giving out of obligation or expectation, but really giving and expecting nothing in return.
The truest gratitude there is comes with no strings attached. You may consider how often you give from your heart and when you give from obligation as we enter the holidays. And then slow down, listen, breathe, and remember why you are here and what fills your heart. Have the courage to then go out into your lives, reach out to your family, friends, and community and create a truly magical and heartwarming holiday season this year.
Here at the studios we take great care and effort in creating our holiday events and workshops. We enjoy designing offerings for the community that give you an opportunity to connect to yourself, to share the love and peace within, and to discover new-found passions.
- Please consider stepping off the mat and onto the dance floor with special guest Girish Dec. 3rd at the University Place studio.
- Mark your calendar for what is guaranteed to be a deeply moving, and celebratory practice to end 2011 and confidently, peacefully enter the New Year with Sacred Intentions workshop Dec. 31st.
- If you are new to yoga or it has dropped off your priority list, it’s never too late, start your New Year resolutions now and register early for the Intro Series classes.
There are many class options, workshops, and special guest teachers and events coming in 2012-so don’t miss out on your chance to enliven your yoga practice and ultimately your life!
See you on and off the mat!
With much love and deep gratitude,
Melissa
P.S. When considering what to give for the holidays, consider spending your money locally! We have a diverse community of businesses to support.
Hi, Melissa, I received my birthday greeting today, but somehow I’m not receiving the newsletters. Would you please add my name to the mailing list? I love reading Erin’s and your reflections each month. And I hope to soon be able to add a class or a workshop or two. I had lung surgery in January – the outcome was non-invasive cancer – the best outcome to be hoped for, given the diagnosis. No further therapy required, just follow-up monitoring for 3 years. I’m very blessed. My recovery is going well, if more slowly than I think it should be – practicing mindfulness here!
. I’m practicing my yoga stretches and qigong and that is helping a lot. I hope all is well with you and Erin and your families. Peace, Laura