Class #12, 8th in a row...

Yesterday, motivationally, was the hardest so far. I did not want to go to class. I was tired, it has been a long week, and all I wanted to do was go home and go to sleep and cuddle with my kitty cat, Ahab.

Well, I made it to class. I was parking and saw that one of my yoga buddies was parking too. I started feeling better and more optimistic. Then another yoga buddy walked up while we were waiting to go inside. Oh, thank you God for sending these people to class with me to help me make it through. I was still feeling tired but had higher hopes for a good class as I knew I would have good energy around me. Another mental obstacle I was facing was that a new-to-me teacher was teaching this particular class. I have never taken the Thursday night 7:00pm class before and although I always look forward to new styles and guidance I was worried about a new teacher on a night when I was already struggling.

So, it turns out I had one of my best classes ever. Go figure, right? Having my two yoga buddies next to and behind me REALLY helped but half the battle is just making it to class and I made it and made it through. Looking forward to class tonight and then to bed most likely! Happy Yoga everyone!

Day 9 for me...

I still need to do 2 days of doubles to catch back up with the rest of the Bikram 101 group since I found out about this challenge a little late but I am on day 9 total, tonight will be my 6th day in a row. I'm feeling a bit tired but still fine. Sunday, January 10th was by far my hardest day so far as the day prior was my book club's meeting and we all know that means wine! :)

Still feeling extremely motivated and wonderfully hydrated and healthy! I am loving this so far and can't wait to do a double this weekend and get closer to being caught up! Go Bikram Yoga-ites!!

Bikram 101

So, I had heard something the other day about a 101 day Bikram Challenge and after a bit of investigating, found out that it started January 1, 2010 (which I am choosing to pronounce two thousand ten, if anyone cares). I have only missed one day (Saturday, January 2nd) so I could technically join this challenge but wow, what do I do about all of the after work commitments I have already made and how.....well, why don't I just stop asking how and just start doing? That might be the best solution. I'm feeling really motivated right now to do this especially since I am already 4/5 classes into it and think it would be an amazing and eye-opening experience amongst so many other things.

It is a new year and I am feeling very hopeful and positive, so there. :o) I am going to post the "Bikram 101" badge on here with the intention of doing the challenge but if it doesn't happen, then it doesn't happen and I promise to myself not to be disappointed. Life happens and I wasn't truly prepared to do anything like this so we will just have to wait and see. I feel so inspired though from reading all of the posts from others that have been talking about and preparing for this challenge since mid-November 2009. Cheers to those that are doing it and here goes everything I've got! Happy New Year everyone!!

To.

2009.

What a year so far.  There have been a few ups, and many more downs.

The key is to remember.

Remember that everything happens for a reason.  Whether what happens opens your eyes to the rut you were living in.  Or maybe you realize that now is your chance; your chance to do the things that you have never had time (or never made time) to do.

To sleep in.  To travel.  To write like you have never written before.  To clean out that closet or space you have neglected for so long.  To really be able to enjoy a meal instead of scarfing it down while you are doing three things at once.  To read.  To really read.

To pay attention to all that has been going on around you for the last fifteen years.  All that you have enjoyed or could have enjoyed; look at it how you will.

But make sure you are looking.  

And see.

Being Thankful

There are so many experiences in life that help to bring things into perspective.  I was recently reading "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini for my book club.  Now, I know that this is just a book.  I know that.  But regardless, this story is most likely based on many true stories.  True stories of such wickedness, such hate and filth, and hatred towards women and their perception and nothingness.  It truly sickened me.  What it also did was help me realize how truly lucky I am.

I am so fortunate; I have my voice, my freedom to say and choose how I will, to wear what I want and how I want and when I want.  To dance when I want to dance.  To sing when I want to sing.  To wake up when I want to wake up and do with my day however I choose and please is right for me.  I live in a country that does not impose, for the most part.  I live in a country that doesn't tell me that I must believe in a certain thing or in a certain way and how many times per day I must show that I believe.

There are definitely things in this country that I find wrong or confusing or just wrong.  But what I have to remember and what I believe everyone should remember is that we have a good life.  No matter how hard we have it, someone else is going through much worse than us.  The things that I read about which I know happen in real life are NOTHING compared to what I have been through.

I am so glad to have lived such a fulfilling and positive life.  I am glad to no longer have people in my life who are negative and choose to waste their time and energy on being and feeling in ways that are not productive.  I am glad that I have chosen the positive and realistic path.  I am so glad for who I am and who I have been.  

By the way, I HIGHLY recommend reading "A Thousand Splendid Suns."  It is a horrifying yet beautifully written story about another country, another world, and the women and men that suffer and make others suffer in that other country and world.

Time is such a precious thing...

There have been many anniversaries of sorts that have passed and some new ones to look forward to.  December 29th marked the 8 year anniversary of my Dad's passing.  January 4th would have been his 72nd birthday.  January 5th marked my one year anniversary at my Bikram yoga studio.  Without an exact date, Robert and I will have been together for three years this year.  In early May it will have been two years since my friend Jeff Neill passed away.  June 22nd will be one year that I have been a vegetarian......and they go on and on...........

I try to think mostly of the good things, the positives, but it is hard to forget the bad and the sad.  I believe that it is the tough times that make us who we are and help us develop and mature.  I would hope that everyone would be able to learn from experiences past and find something that helped make them a better person.  I guess that is just life and how things are.

It is nice to reflect and in light of recent events and happenings at work this is probably the right time to do so.  What ever has happened in the past has helped shape me and what is happening now will do the same.  What ever will be and will happen in the future will just be and there is nothing I can do at this point.  Just pray and hope for the best for all involved.

At least I have Spain to look forward to at the end of August!  

No regrets.

I have finally gotten my big butt back to the yoga studio...finally.

It feels good and it had to be on my own time.  When I went back to school I was freaked out.  It has been over ten years since I last took a class.  Who could expect my life to be exactly the same as it was?  

It took me exactly three months to figure it out and I feel fine.  I feel good.

I know what it is and I know what I want.  I know where I want to be and I know who I want it to be with.  I am done with the past and I am on to the future. 

I have no regrets.