We continue to live in challenging and unusual times as the pandemic rages on. It certainly will be a most unique holiday season for all of us.

In the midst of all the changes and shifts we all continue to make, can you find gratitude? Can you soften into what you are thankful for currently? What have you done well this year?

I am aware that we are all rather "zoomed out." It is thoughtful how our lives have shifted to doing so many activities and connections livestream and/or online. Yet, I am so thankful for the gift of technology that allows us to connect and gather online! No, it is not the same as gathering in person but it does provide us with numerous opportunities to create and sustain connections. Imagine if we had gone through eight months of the pandemic without laptops, cellular phones, Zoom, Facetime, etc...

I also find it remarkable and am so Grateful for how well we all have shifted and transitioned to live through a pandemic. This year has compelled each of us to do so many things differently. So many things we had no control over that we were forced to do remotely and online like: working; taking classes and other activities, attending spiritual and religious gatherings, attending wakes and life celebrations, having family and friend gatherings, participate in music and art events, receipt of medical and psychological care, etc... It has all been rather exhausting, extraordinary, creative and compassion-building.

I'm Grateful for:

how technology has helped us to stay connected to each other;

the opportunities to learn how to do different things and hone different skills as a result of this pandemic;

how it has helped us to be more:

loving;

spacious,

creative;

compassionate;

patient;

tolerant;

resilient;

vulnerable;

forgiving;

increase our capacity to sit with discomfort;

expand our capacity to surrender;

enhance our skills to sit with uncertainty and the unknown;

soften;

find our sense of humor on the darkest of days;

allow ourselves to cry and hide under the covers when we just couldn't imagine taking another step; and

to be more gentle and compassionate with ourselves and others.

So, you may be thinking, perhaps you didn't or haven't done a lot of the above things or expressed a lot of the above qualities skillfully. Yep, I have had many of those humbling days also. But, may we all remember, when we start to grow in awareness about our lack of skillfulness and coping skills, that it is progress. We are becoming more awake and aware. Yes, we have experienced heartbreaking loss - so many lives- over 1.3 million people in our world including 246,000 Americans have died to date. This loss I know weighs so heavy on all our hearts. And, for those of us who are fortunately still here, we have all survived over eight months of living thru a pandemic. It is truly an exceptional thing. You have done well, good enough, better than good enough.

These times also remind me about the importance of having gratitude to practice forgiveness and love-to honor my commitment to choose love over fear and to take a breath and begin again and again. In those moments and on those days when I or others are not at our best and our wretched self is on full display, I try and offer myself and others spaciousness, gentleness, kindness and compassion. My practice of yoga and meditation helps me to grow in these qualities and to live with more awareness when I am not exhibiting these qualities because these are practices to grow in awareness of how we live our lives.

We wish you a most wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. May you have quiet moments of joy and peace. May you take time to remember what you are grateful for this year. May you reflect on what you have done well in living thru this pandemic. May you choose to always come back to love, compassion and forgiveness to return to your divine wholeness, peace and freedom of your heart. May it be so.

Enjoy yoga and meditation classes livestream on Zoom.

Invite a friend and/or family member (who is new to our studio) to join us and try a class. One blessing of Zoom is that folks can join us from any state in the country! For each friend/family member you invite to try a class with me, I will give you a free class! 

Also, please know I have a special for New Students to our studio: five classes for $85.00. Click Link below.

No time like NOW to begin or return to your yoga & meditation practices! Join J from the comfort of your home and in connection with a small group of others on Zoom to replenish and reconnect to yourself!