My Sanctuary

I’ve come to view my yoga mat as my “sanctuary.”  On the days when I find life difficult, I have found that stepping on my mat brings me relief from whatever may be causing me stress.   I believe that it’s a matter of “letting go” for an hour that does it.  I can move, breathe and focus on nothing but being on my mat and in my practice. I’m learning to let  go of all the other stuff in life for that time; I don’t even think about it.   Consequently, when my practice ends and I “return to the world” as it may be, whatever has been bothering me doesn’t seem as important any longer.  Oh, the problem or stressor may still be there, but I find that I’m better equipped to handle it.   My mind has more focus and clarity with which to deal with things.  

I became emotional the other day when talking about this.  I’m passionate about yoga – and that passion often causes me to show emotion when talking about yoga and what it has done for me and my life.  I cannot imagine a day of my life without stepping on to my mat, finding my sanctuary, and finding that beautiful place within me to simply “be me”. 

My wish for you?   For you to find your sanctuary on your yoga mat.

Namaste’

Sherry

 

Mothers Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mother's out there.  I hope your day was an enjoyable one. 

I think back lovingly to memories of my mother.  I really do not know if there is a day gone by that I don't think of her in some way or another.  I look at pictures of her and I smile, I run across something that she wrote to me (a card perhaps), and I cry tears.   There is a song that clutches my heart every time I hear it as it reminds me of mom and how I feel about her.  It's by Caitlin and Will, and it's called "No Address In the Stars".  This is verse #3:

Without you here with me,

I don't know what to do.

I'd give anything

Just to talk to you

Oh it breaks my heart,

Oh it breaks my heart,

But all I can do

Is write these letters to you,

But there's no address in the stars.

What I wouldn't give to talk with my mother; to ask her simple things like: what she used in her cake batter to make it so moist, what were her dreams and hopes for herself before she got married and had kids.  Did she experience blue days and how did she get through them.  Did she have any regrets in life?  What did she like best about life?

She had so much wisdom to share; I wish I would have listened more and appreciated her more when she was alive.  Now all I have is the memories...... and unanswered questions.   Some days I feel her "mother's love" supporting me, guiding me through......but I'd give my weight in gold to wrap my arms around her once more and tell her "she was loved beyond words" and to listen to her tell me "it will be OK."  There is something about those words coming from "Mom", that really did "make it OK."

I have no children of my own.  I have not known the joy of holding a life born of me in my arms, and having their tiny fingers wrapped around mine as they suckle from my breast.  I will not experience the joys of seeing a son riding bike for the first time, or the horrors of seeing my son falling down and experiencing pain for the first time.  I will not see a daughter walking down the aisle at her wedding, or the birth of a grandchild.  

I will not witness the miracle of birth.  

Though my life is childless, I've plenty to celebrate;  the trials and tribulations of my nieces and nephews and the daughters and sons of countless friends. 

I laugh with the mothers as they chronicle their hectic lives of running to volleyball practice, dance lessons, and gymnastics and "never having any time for themselves."

I cry with them when their child encounters pain and heartache at not making a team or not being 'best friends" with "so and so anymore!" because they were mean.

I offer the mothers objective opinions - when asked to give one, and hold their hands to give them strength when they need to give out that "tough love" that crushes them to the core (but needs to be done).

I celebrate their children's life achievements  (graduation) and cheer with them when they mark a milestone in their child's life (marriage).

My heart aches for them when they let their child experience their own mistakes and stand beside them (helping them to be strong) when they see their child fall from grace and work to get back in to the game of life.

I'm not a Mother - just a friend, of some of the most courageous people on the face of this earth. 

Tolerance

Ok.  I know why I’m in a funk!   It’s the weather!  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. 

It’s May 5^th for chrissakes!!!  We’re supposed to be experiencing 70 degree weather with blue skys and gentle spring breezes. Instead, we are experiencing gale force winds, rain, winter storm warnings (for the western part of the state), and it’s dark and gloomy.  It hasn’t done much for my disposition that’s for sure.

Someone commented that I was a bit “testy” in my previous blog post and went on to say that it was “uncharacteristic” of me, as I’m a yogi and supposed to practice love and tolerance.  True.  The key word in that sentence is practice.   I try hard every day to live the good life and to practice tolerance and love. Most days I succeed.  Others, I fail; yesterday was one of those days. It probably had less to do with other people and more with the fact that I have been in a funk.   

I’m resolving to do better today – despite the weather!  J

Namaste,

Sherry

 

 

 

Things that make me go "ugggggggg"

1)      If you wanted it yesterday, you shouldn’t have given it to me today.

2)      The words “Please” and “Thank you” are NOT foreign words. You should try them sometime.

3)      Please, when I’m on the phone and I say, “I’ll be just a minute”…please do not hover within earshot so you can listen to my conversation.

4)      My pens are MY pens….end of story.

5)      When you take the last of something – effectively depleting the stock of said item – please say something BEFORE someone else needs said item.  The “oh yeah, I forgot to tell you” doesn’t cut it .

6)      When I say, “I have plans”, please don’t ask “what are they”?   If I wanted you to know, I would have told you.

7)      Please have the courtesy to be on time.  I’ve arranged my schedule to spend time with you and would like to spend it with you rather than wondering where you are for the first 15-30 minutes.  It makes me feel as if I’m unimportant and you have better things to do than to spend time with me.

8)      If you are going to be late, please call.   Again, a simple courtesy.   (See #7)

9)      What is mine, is mine.  If I wanted to share my lunch or snacks, I would have brought enough for everyone.

10)   If I wanted your opinion, I would ask for it.