And Just Like that it's Christmas ....

(Channukah too!)

It's like the Covid lockdown never happened. Life is full steam ahead without remembering to breathe. Without a pause after Thanksgiving, you can walk into Starbucks, Target and Big Y and they are in full holiday mode. I don't know about you, but I am still recovering from the foodapalooza of Turkey week.

Holiday time always comes with joy, anxiety and chaos. I look so forward to family get togethers but often times feel disappointed, sad or overwhelmed. The pressure of everything always being fun, perfect and joyous create this perfect storm. As a mother I just want to make sure this family get together is everything to everyone. I want to please my parents, my brothers and my kids. Every family has dynamics and nothing is ever perfect. What I realized is I NEED TO LET GO of trying to figure out how to make this happen. The truth is the only person who is feeling the pressure is me. The kids are happy to just watch football with their family and friends. They do not hold onto wishing they had a better mac and cheese dish......that's me.

So here is the pause....the breath......how do we reset and plan for the next 3 weeks? How do we avoid the same aggravating Waltz dance we do with ourselves. I realized, we need to learn the Cha Cha ! It is much more fun, and messing it up is ok because it is not the Waltz. Laughing is so much more fun than crying....Let's figure out a way to laugh straight through to 2023!!!

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Caution ~ Your Word

What does it mean when you give your word? We all give our word constantly. I will meet you for lunch at 12. I will pick you up at 4. I'll make your favorite meal. It is how you handle the follow through we sometimes need to really be cautious about.

It may sound absurd using these. examples. How do you handle if you are running late for lunch or that pick up ? Do you communicate that. you are late or do you just figure what difference is 5 minutes?

I know I am extremely sensitive. Sometimes is a good thing and sometimes not so much. I would text or call even if I were a few minutes late because I worry about the other person and their time. I have learned though that I can not expect everyone to think the same way. Having those expectations have made me feel badly. The reality is that I am making up a story in my head while the other person is not even thinking twice. Learning to not project is so freeing! But there is another side....

When to be cautious about giving "Your Word" ......

There are times that it matters. We build relationships throughout our lives. Following through with promises or commitments through "Your Word" is all you really have. It is a fundamental key to who we are. I hope I am not sounding hokey or preachy because that is not who I am ;-)! It really is so simple, if you say you are going to do something DO IT! If you cannot, just communicate that. If you failed to communicate there is always room for growth. Everyone F*%$ks, up! We are human! Own it and apologize or acknowledge it, not only for the other person but for yourself as well. Don't be too proud to make a mistake. Life is freaking messy!

When we do what we say it builds trust, the key to every successful relationship. Maybe I am sensitive but at the end of the day "Your Word" says everything about you.

Back to Chaos...

It is amazing to me that I have only been home from Costa Rica a month. It feels like a year! I would give my left leg to be able to sit and meditate for 30 minutes in silence everyday. Missing meditation would be the last thing I could ever imagine for myself but it helped calm the chaos of life and settle my mind. I realize now how much we do in a day as mothers, partners, employees, employers and friends. Life is so busy!

I immediately jumped back in with 2 feet. I needed to catch up from where I left off and with great passion and enthusiasm (I cannot do anything slowly) I realized that every high school and college sports team needed to practice yoga. I started researching and reaching out to athletic directors and coaches truly believing that this is essential,

And then came the disappointment...... these AD's and coaches are busy and although the idea was well received it was not going to happen overnight.

And then came the self doubt, the beat up internally and the what am I doing with my life.... Had I not retained anything I learned during my yoga training?

And then I started to breathe....

I realized that slowing down and being patient were keys to my happiness. I realized that I am amazing for the effort and the vision I have. I taught yoga to the freshman football team and really connected to these 14 year old boys. They learned about mental strength and breathing, they dialed in, focused and gave 100% effort. I left elated and proud. If I helped even one kid feel less stressed, I succeeded. Is that not what it' s about?

It is hard to count the small victories. It is those victories however that ground us and help us grow. Life moves fast, and if we slow down, there is a better chance we won't miss the moment to see the gift of the small victory.

I am sharing my presentation and vision for how yoga can help these student athletes. Feedback welcome!