I experienced a bit of a set back last weekend when I broke my ankle walking down the sidewalk, go figure! It was a truly bizarre and freak accident that seems unbelievable. As I reflect on the experience I am incredibly grateful for my family in getting me to medical care, the privilege of having access to that care and to health insurance, and that I am able to rest and heal without worrying about working at this phase of my life. It is also a reminder that we must continue to fight for everyone to have access to quality medical care, not just those of us privileged enough to be able to afford it.

I learned this week that while Tuesday heralded the beginning of the Year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese Zodiac, Wednesday ushered in the Year of the Deer in the Mayan Sacred Calendar. While both represent similar energy - “freedom, movement, and authentic power,” Fire Horse energy is yang, while Deer energy is yin. The two energies can help bring balance to the transformational energy of this year. The Deer reminds us to start with stillness, observation, and mindfulness, while the Fire Horse spurs us to take action. Both are essential as we traverse these challenging times, reminding us to pause, watch, and listen and then act with integrity and intention. You can read this article from Elephant Journal for a deeper understanding.

I had the luxury last week of spending time on the beach with my dear cousin as well as some old and new friends. I was reminded again of the importance of community and truly being seen by others. We so often feel we have to prove something or show ourselves as useful or competent to be of value. The time I spent with those wonderful women reconfirmed that just by being we are enough. Our presence can bring solace, joy, comfort, peace, laughter, insight and so much more. May it remind us all to honor ourselves just as we are in this moment and to extend that acceptance to those around us. This doesn’t condone ill treatment, abuse, or violence, it means we honor each other as human beings first, then set boundaries and take action second.

I’ve been working on a presentation for a high school class about being a social worker and learning to care for ourselves as mental health providers. In the process I have stumbled upon some unexpected pearls of wisdom. One is that the times when things have been hardest for me in life were when I believed I had to do everything on my own, that I had no one else to shelter and support me. What I have learned is that the power of someone else sharing our burdens is indescribable. We do not need someone to fix, rescue, or save us. Instead, we need trusted people to love, support, guide, hold space, advocate, provide resources, and to be present for us. So often we believe we cannot ask for help, but “it is in the shelter of each other that people live.” Across the country we are witnessing neighbors and strangers sheltering each other, protecting each other, advocating for each other. While there continues to be pain, sorrow, and darkness, the light of these neighbors and strangers can bring us hope and remind us we are not alone.

Today marks the end of the 10 darkest weeks of the year and next weekend marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Reflecting on this and the impact of light of various kinds in our lives I was reminded of the MLK quote,

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

The amazing Sharon Salzburg has been popping up on my social media feeds a great deal this week and reminding me of her wisdom. Her book Lovingkindness was transformative in developing my personal practice of self-compassion and integrating the language of lovingkindness in to my teaching and everyday life. This practice has been a foundation for me to heal childhood wounds, build and mend relationships, set clear boundaries, and honor my own worth and needs. Additionally, it has led to a greater sense of connection with all beings in my community and around the world.

Happy New Year to all!

As we begin the journey of a new calendar year, there is usually an expectation to resolve to better or change ourselves. However, I believe we are all enough just as we are and that any resolutions we make should relate to honoring all of ourselves and of each other, awakening to light of our true compassionate natures. As I read this Jack Kornfield quote today,

When you hold the whole world in your heart, the phrase is ‘omitting none.’

These last few days of the year can often feel aimless and untethered. They are a wonderful opportunity for us to return to mindfulness practices in daily life to increase our sense of groundedness and presence in the moment. Engaging our senses in our daily activities is an easily accessible way to practice. Some ideas for practicing are noticing the scent of our soap or shampoo, tuning into the sensations of water running over our skin when washing or the texture of clothing, furniture, or bedding, savoring the first sip or taste of a beverage or bite of food, allowing our gaze to rest on an object or image and observe without needing to label or understand, or pausing to listen to the sounds around us. Try out some of these ideas or others you think of a few times a day, take a few deep breaths as you practice, and notice how the practice impacts you.

This week many of our friends and neighbors are celebrating Hanukkah and its celebration of light amidst the darkness. They are doing so with heavy hearts as we continue to face and process violence on many fronts both at home and abroad. Through our words and actions we can contribute to peace and community building or we can contribute to hatred and violence. We each make choices every day to build the world we want to live in. I encourage you to be the light of kindness, understanding, acceptance, and joy, to honor and value every life, and to do the good in front of you each moment of each day. Let us close out this year as we mean to begin the next.

On this day after Thanksgiving I am reflecting on the joy of gathering with those I love and sadness of missing those who were elsewhere or who are no longer with us. Consequently, my heart feels both full and aching. I am practicing being with my emotions, breathing in and breathing out, letting smiles bloom and tears fall as they rise. Allowing ourselves the full range of what is encompassed in the present moment is often difficult both due to societal and family expectations as well as the demands of our lives. Holding myself in my own heart is a gift I am offering myself today. I hope you can take a few moments to do the same.

This week’s New Moon in Scorpio has brought an intense energy pushing us to face challenges and issues that we may have put on the back burner. Many people may be feeling unsettled or cranky as a result. It can be easy to default into resistance when difficult emotions and situations arise. However, once we notice our resistance, we can pause, breathe, and make a choice about how to move forward. Acknowledging the difficulties while at the same time finding beauty, love, and joy in them can help us to find a greater sense of balance in the moment rather than being overwhelmed by it. Each time we find ourselves resisting is an opportunity to practice, to learn a little more about ourselves, and to offer ourselves lovingkindness and compassion. Celebrating when we notice we’ve gone down the rabbit hole again is an opportunity to both honor our wisdom of noticing, to breathe, and to try something different.

As the days continue to get shorter I have noticed my body yearning to follow the rhythm of the light, spending time in the midday sunshine, finding time for solitude, and going to bed earlier. While it isn’t always possible to completely synchronize our schedules with the season, exploring small ways to slow down, rest more, and turn inward are ways we can honor the rhythm of the season. Rather than continuing with our habitual routines, we can pause to check in with ourselves about what may serve us better during this time of increasing darkness. As we move closer toward the winter solstice, slowing down and caring for ourselves allows us to nurture the light within us and let it be our guide.

Today I am reflecting on the fragility of life and how mindfulness practices support us in being present in the moment for the fullness of our lives. I encourage you to spend a few moments each day fully experiencing a cherished person in your life. Savoring the uniqueness of their image, their touch, their scent, the sound of their voice or their laugh. Give yourself permission to soak up what makes them who they are and how being with them makes you feel. The only moment we are promised is the one we are in right now.

This week I have been thinking about community and how connection and mutual support are essential components of our well-being. Many of us will be connecting with and supporting others this weekend through celebrations of Halloween and Dio de los Muertos.

We have shifted into Scorpio season with its sensitive energy and opportunity for introspection. This correlates with our moving deeper into fall bringing shorter, cooler days and longer, cozy nights. Following the rhythm of the seasons is something we have moved away from in our modern culture, yet we are still of the earth and our internal rhythms are tied to it.

I recently came across the quote above and was reminded, again, of the power of my daily yoga practice. Every time I roll out my mat I am showing up for myself. Each movement and breath gives me information about myself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Today I filled my cup by spending time with a dear friend on a hike. As we ventured out we heard a warbling sound that we couldn’t identify. We swept the area searching for the source and finally looked up higher into the sky to see a large flock of birds swirling above us. Using an app we discovered they were Sandhill Cranes. We were in awe of the sound they made and the beauty of their flight. As the first group began to fly away we saw another large flock flying in V formation making the same beautiful warbling sound.

This week we are exploring the final Niyama, Ishvara Pranidhana, translated as dedication to the highest. It is about turning to and honoring the sacred in our lives, in whatever form that takes for each of us. I associate moments of awe and wonder with Ishvara Pranidhana.