My word!

My word, it's a new year! And I'm inspired to pick my word. 

Balance. Yes, my word for 2017.

As the new year kicks off, change is a-comin'. New administration. Ugh.

My four-year-old starts Pre-K in two days. Ugh. I know that she and I are both ready for this next step. She enthusiastically says she is going to college. I emphasize, the path to college starts with Pre-K. 

Actually, we have been a bit out of sync for the past month, my little lady and I. It's because we are growing. Outgrowing each other a bit, perhaps? As much as I am grateful for being able to be hands on everyday for the past four years, the time has come for each of us to explore other opportunities individually. It's been absolutely unnerving how N. has become even more defiant and more vocal. I reassure myself, she's expressing her inner warrior. But then the screaming and grunting becomes too long of a fit and feels unmanageable, and I want to explode. I have to contain myself. Ugh. This parenting gig is exhausting, frustrating, and HARD. No one admits that enough.  

I need to return to myself. How will I cultivate Balance in this new year? Instead of random runs and quickie yoga spurts, I will be determined to make time for myself. The afternoon of New Year's Eve, I luxuriated in the treat of a scheduled deep tissue massage. It's been much too long a time since I've had one. As the technician worked to ease the usual tension in my neck, shoulder, and upper back areas, I reveled in the soothing pain of the intense pressure points. At the end of my 90-minute muscle therapy, she recommended more frequent enhanced deep muscle heat therapy. I could feel the much welcome difference in my body after a mint and rosemary infused session that also relieved my aching sinuses. 

Now that the three of us have finally recovered from sickness that lasted from before the holidays, through Christmas, and thereafter, I feel even more urgency to welcome Balance in the new year of the rooster. Ready to take action, ready to take chances, and ready to respond with wit and practicality. 

May we all be in Spirit to choose a meaningful word for 2017, so much so that our hearts carol in appreciation of every breath, and we are more cheery, loving, and patient.

Be in each other's light

The holidays are upon us, and this year we've decided to lay low and enjoy the festivities without the crazy travel. These holidays are our first in our new home, and we want to take the time to cherish them. 

To our delight, we shared in two family visits back-to-back prior to Thanksgiving. Our pre-holiday celebrations allowed us to take the time to sit around the dining table, mulled cider candle lit, and catch up without all of the hooha. It was intimate enough to see and listen to each other while the kids had their run of the house, rocking out to their cousinly beats or toasting jumbo marshmallows in the fireplace. 

Amidst comfortable bedding and feast preparation and ensuring everyone has what they need for a successful visit, taking the time can get lost. 

Take the time. 

My cousin (whom I love like a sister) and I don't see each other regularly enough. She was hell bent on taking the time to share in partner yoga, and our daughters enthusiastically joined us too. My four-year-old cheered, Girls' Day! We took the time to share in each other, to honor our time together. 

That's what taking the time is, to be in each other's light. 

Our family visitors returned home, and the jangle dwindled to an exhausted slumber.

On a usual run through my personal Walden, I happened upon an older man who walked gingerly, thoughtfully. My run stalled to a walk. A rosary dangled from his right hand as his fingers grasped the black beads ever so humbly. These woods were his church too. I was thankful to have stumbled upon this devout churchgoer and his graceful light. 

May you treasure the rest of the holiday season and bask in the band of your loved ones. 

Let us go to the house of Spirit

Sunday morning

i went to the house of our collective Spirit

i eavesdropped on the slow drift of the falling leaves 

one by one

as they landed with a quiet brush on the ground

already a bed of crinkles and crackles

my ear bent to the gentle knock 

of a spotted black and white woodpecker above

i gazed at the Sun

and set an intention --

let every breath, 

all that i am, all that we are,

never cease to honor 

and find the wondrous light 

in each other