Shop to be a hero.

A way to help a family in need brought to my attention by my friend Kavita at Bodaat.


Shop for Anissa Day

Here's why she needs our help:

http://www.hope4peyton.org/

I must run but I wanted to get the word out.

Sending hugs and happy holiday wishes to you all,

Jan

Want to meet a real sweetie?

Nope, this blog isn't turning into a dating service. We've just adopted a new pup. Her name is Lolly because she's as sweet as candy. We rescued her from the pound and we feel like we won the lottery. The pound told us she was a beagle but I've never seen a beagle that looks like Lolly before. Izzy thinks she's got some Dachshund in her and I totally agree. In any case, she is an absolute dream of a dog. She's trained, follows directions, is loving, and only barks when another dog comes too close. Can you tell that we are absolutely besotted with her?

Pics and a video of darling Lolly in action:





I can tell you, having a dog in the house again has also really improved my commitment to downward dog asana! ;-)

Hope you have a jolly Lolly day too,

Jan

Embracing boredom...

Well, here's what I've been thinking about and teaching lately. Boredom. Is there anything more glorious than boredom? If you are bored then you are not fearing for your life in a war-torn country, dealing with the grief of losing a loved-one, or desperately trying to find a way to survive without money or food. Boredom. It's a good thing.

So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving I proudly proclaim how THANKFUL I am to be a wee bit bored these days. Life is GOOD!

What are you thankful for today?

Love and hugs,

Jan

Where did 2009 go?

How did this year zoom by so quickly? I'm reeling from the speed of 2009 flying by. I can't start gearing up for 2010 yet! As one of my wise yoga students put it, "That's too much like living in the future, right?". It's true. 2010 is a number that seems to be "in the future". Did you know the original Star Trek series was meant to be set in 2265? Okay, that's still a long way off, but in 1967 when Gene Roddenberry first put it on the air, I'll bet he thought 2010 sounded ridiculously far off too.

So with the first decade of the 21st century closing in, I've decided to take stock and see if I've done anything worthwhile during the last 10 years.

1. We're raising a 10 year-old daughter and she's awesomely terrific. Check.

2. I've survived 5 surgeries in the last 10 years and I feel great today. Check.

3. I've become a yoga teacher and make a difference in peoples lives with each class. Check.

4. We've lived in 3 different states over the last 10 years and actually found one that makes us happy. Check.

5. I've got friends and family all over the world whom I love and who love me. Check.

Ya know, 2010 doesn't seem that scary anymore. Sure, I still have loads to accomplish and follow through on, but I'm reminded of this quote by Emerson that I used to have posted on my wall 20 years ago in college:

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.

WHAT???!!! I now find through the wondrous technology of Google that it probably wasn't even written by Emerson at all! Read here for more details. Beam me up Scotty, I'm ready for a new adventure!

Love and ease to you all,

Jan

When the sun peeks around the clouds

Have you ever felt that rainclouds are all around and you just can't quite get into the sunshine? I've felt like that recently. I'm working hard through meditation and yoga to lift the clouds but I'm not 100% there yet. At least I can see the sun now though and that helps.

I HAVE had some great things going on lately. Yolanda's visit and the workshop were a wonderful success and I am so thankful for her and her friendship. The students who participated told me how meaningful the day was for them and we raised $300 for the Oregon Food Bank which is a very great thing. This is a very bright shaft of sunlight for me.

My yoga classes give me back so much more than I can possibly give. My students tell me how much my words and sequences are helping them in their lives and this makes me feel so happy. Giant rays of sunshine radiate off of my students towards me.

My daughter and my husband are loving, kind, and make me laugh. They tell me frequently how much they love me and I am blessed to be able to tell them right back how much I love them. The miracle of me being here and able to share love with my family and friends is actually a fireball of light emanating from my soul.

I'm actually basking in the sunshine now and all it took was a few moments of blogging with honest gratitude for the blessings in my life. I guess I just need to remember that trick the next time I'm struggling in the dark. The light starts from within and reflects back with love.

I hope you can feel my radiance towards you now too!

Namaste,

Jan

Hello Bloggy Friends...

Hi everyone,

I'm off to bed in a few moments but I thought I'd give a quick rundown of my life before I begin my slumber.

1. Yolanda Pettinato is coming to visit me this weekend. YAYYYYY!!!! We have 9 people signed up for the workshop and should raise between $300 and $400 for the Oregon Food Bank. This is a good thing! YogaEasy with Yolanda Pettinato Workshop

2. My house is quite cleanish. Believe me, in this house cleanish is also very goodish.

3. My own yoga classes are progressing well and joyfully. I love teaching yoga. Have I mentioned that before?

4. My parents are gone... boo... Not a good thing.

5. I realized this week how sad it is that as women we can be friendly and play peek-a-boo with small children we meet in groceries or playgrounds but men not so much. This is so unfair but I admit to being hyper-sensitive about my own daughter and strange men. When she was a toddler an older man offered her candy once and I took it politely for her and then threw it away after we drove away. She didn't understand why and I felt so uncomfortable even trying to explain other than we don't take anything to eat from strangers. And then came Halloween.... lots of candy from strangers... Paradoxical Parenting 101.

Okay, that's enough for tonight. I'm so very boring... fill me in on your life.

Hugs to you all,

Jan