Thanksgiving Message

With the onset of yet another Thanksgiving holiday upon us,

 I am struck at the irony of being called upon to “give thanks” when the state of the world is fraught with so much violence, suffering, intolerance, and seeming lack of morality.

How can we possibly be “thankful” with all we are witness to?

Gandhi said so rightly:  “We must be the change we want to see in the world”.

For as all the woes in the world begin with the individual & become a collective force, our necessary healing will also be initiated one person at a time who then positively informs another person; the aim is to eventually gain enough momentum to turn the tide.

I believe the practice of “cultivating gratitude” is a huge part of that necessary healing; It is one of the most powerful tools of transformation we can each use as individuals to not only positively impact our own lives but also the world at large.

Yoga tells us the time is always now – now for practicing daily what it is that we want to strengthen in our lives.

Yoga tells us the time is now – to go inside first so that we can move outward with greater sensitivity,

awareness & generosity.

Yoga tells us the time is now –   to find the courage to dive in deep and even in the midst of struggle, pain, hesitation, confusion, doubt and worry, to recover, uncover and discover reasons to feel blessed and grateful.

My take on this practice remains much the same these last years – Rather than simply “being grateful”, I prefer to “live in a state of gratitude” which is on-going and never-ending.  It is not something I do, but something I cultivate and abide in moment by moment. It is a process of distilling my daily existence toward the essense of what matters most for me.

This healthy body which allows me to effectively navigate my life. Knowing that so many are sick, suffering and struggling,

I never take for granted waking in the morning feeling vibrantly well and able to meet my world.

A husband and partner who loves me completely for who I am, neurosis and all, and allows me the space and gives me the support to live the life of my spirit and soul, while creating a full & nurturing life together.

A daughter who constantly challenges me on every level but whom I love so profoundly and completely with every fiber of my being. It is a love that rocks my world.

All the relationships and people in my life who hold up a mirror to my face, teaching me so much about myself when I would rather look away, keeping me accountable while guiding me to embrace both my strengths and my vulnerabilities, and in turn,  accepting the same in others.

Those same relationships and people who share themselves with me, enriching my life with their stories, their hearts and their beauty.

The practice of Yoga and how it has and continues to “save my life”.  I am so blessed to have such immensely gratifying and fulfilling work, to teach what I am passionate about and to hopefully provide a inner-growth conduit for my students.

All the struggles, challenges and painful times I’ve endured and will continue to face for these are my greatest teachers and catalysts for growth – these experiences have informed my life and delivered me into who I am and who I am becoming.

The incredible relief of being able to see the bigger picture of life, recognizing that which is truly important while letting go of those beliefs and values that no longer define me and how I want to navigate my life.

The simple pleasures of  uneventful daily life which for years eluded me – the sweetness of honoring each precious moment with mindful attention, awareness and appreciation.

Although as a human being I forget, lose my way, and fall off course, I am most grateful that I have the ability and willingness to keep coming back to these truths.

Like yoga,” living in a state of gratitude” is a daily practice

Like yoga,” living in a state of gratitude” is a mindfulness practice

Like yoga,” living in a state of gratitude”is liberating practice

And like yoga, ultimately it is a transformative practice.

So it begins one person at a time, one small act of kindness and generosity paying it forward to another –

universal consciousness shifting global consciousness.

We have to believe it is possible even in the midst of

what seems impossible.