The first question I ask myself just about every day, is how my life contributes to the causes of war and environmental harm. The the second question is what am I going to do to minimize the harm I have already caused and, by virtue of being a middle class US citizen and taxpayer with a 401(k) plan, will continue to cause as long as I remain alive?
A random pick. But the deck has an uncanny way of offering up the appropriate word for the day most of the time.
Peace and light, E — Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.
A friend from dancing whom I like and respect wrote what I found an inspiring book on improving workshop offerings, both for the person offering the workshop and those attending. I don’t offer yoga workshops any more, but from my studio teaching days and my wide range of acquaintance, I have lots of friends who do offer workshops or offer programs in the public interest, and I always like to check out what my friends are offering. On reading it, I immediately saw its usefulness for the not-for-profit for which I am on the Board of Directors, as well as for friends who have great offerings, but may need a little help on how to get the value of their offerings known.
Here’s more info to check it out: @Leslie Zucker’s new book called “Deliver Workshops That Bring in Clients: A How-To Guide for Coaches, Consultants and Entrepreneurs”. She’s offering the chapter on marketing your workshop for free. You can get it here: www.lesliezucker.com/
There might have been a violent thunderstorm here or there (completely missed my neighborhood), but things are desperately dry in the Washington area. Please conserve water (turn it off while lathering soap on hair and body, brushing teeth, shaving, etc). Don’t wash pavement or cars. Definitely water trees really well once a week.
Peace and light, E — Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.
I may have a nagging cough from a cold that started over a week ago, and it might not have been the ideal of a walk in the woods with a beloved, but I had the best walkabout possible today. The air was mild, and the rain held off until mid-afternoon, leaving plenty of time to get out and appreciate the day. Enjoying that I did not need hat or gloves, I walked for a couple of hours around the neighborhood before I went to the Sunday jam to dance. I picked up a few things that I needed, said hi to neighbors who were also out walking, and looked at trees and clouds and invited myself to be filled with gratitude for what I have.
I was thinking about the exhortation to have the “best possible day.” Before I started my walk, I got an email from a friend about setting a date for lunch, and she said that she’d had the best holiday possible. I think it was in response to my wishing her such–the best holiday possible, that is.
I’ve long stopped exhorting people to have a happy holiday or a merry christmas because I have no idea what might be going on with them (or, I do have an idea). I have enough friends, neighbors, co-workers, and acquaintances who are facing serious challenges–illness, difficulties with work or difficulties getting work, kids stumbling to get through life, relationship complications, elder care navigations, loss of a loved one, or loneliness–that wishing a happy holiday might be kind of clueless. And then there is the state of society and the world.
Thus, I wish that we are able to recognize and experience what we have that is good (while working to make healthier and more life-enhancing choices/changes for the things that are not good that can be changed) and bring out the best in ourselves in navigating all of life–the best possible holiday, day, year, etc.
When I get the studio ready for Wednesday night yoga class, I pick a puja card. I shuffle the cards and then pick a card from somewhere in the middle of the stack. More often than not, the card is aligned in some way with the activity, thought, or emotion that is most present in body-mind. Tonight, the card that came first out of the shuffled pack was krtajnata — gratitude.
I am deeply grateful for my teachers, friends, and family–extensively overlapping categories–and wish a happy thanksgiving to all.
Peace and light, E — Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.
