Instant Gratification

Hello... my name is Kim and I'm an instant gratification addict. Really, I am addicted to the production of instant results!  I also think I was raised to expect instant gratification. In school I was expected to get the answer to the question and/or problem correct as quickly as possible. In sports I was expected to excel and move up as quickly as possible. At work I'm expected to turn deliverables around on a dime and progress up the corporate ladder in a given timeframe. I read about diets that claim I can lose 20 pounds in 20 days... REALLY???

You know what I'm learning? Instant gratification doesn't work for LIFE. You gotta' learn this shit (sorry) the hard way... and guess what... it takes time. This time thing is driving me nuts. No, literally, it's making me crazy. I want this to go faster... like... be done yesterday. That expectation is nuts!

I've learned a lot about myself over the past couple years but this instant gratification "ah-ha" is new. Not that my perfectionist tendencies weren't apparent, but understanding where they stem from is an interesting exercise in self-inspection. Gut check time! How strong does a person need to be, in the American culture, to take a long, hard look internally and call bullshit (again, sorry) on yourself?

A couple of tricks to learn before attempting this... something called "Non-Attachment" is a good thing to learn. Detaching from a result, an expectation, an outcome and allowing what will be to arise and take shape on it's own without force or attempting to control. That's my own small definition and this is one of the hardest concepts I've attempted to learn.

Another great tool... or trick... to have under your belt is TIME. Yes, time. It's not going anywhere - it's been around for years. Knowing that there is time to make a decision, or time to think, or time to respond has created a sense that I can be in the moment and allow myself to relax. The problem with being an instant gratification addict is the sense that there isn't time, it must happen/be done now... NOW!

Both of these tricks/tools come to one point; mindful consideration. There are extremes, for example, sitting on your hands and not making a decision... and/or completely detaching from a situation and not taking ownership could be incredibly harmful - in multiple ways. Therefore, employing mindful, or thoughtful, consideration to the situation at that moment, and allowing the time for mindful consideration to happen, is an important skill to cultivate.

I know many people either heading into a divorce, or in the process of getting a divorce, or divorced for a while. Being recently divorced I don't fall into one of the previous categories. But instead, this limbo category where the act is done and gone, yet the "new life" hasn't fully taken off. This instant gratification junkie expected the results of a Porsche (0 to 60 in a couple of seconds) and, instead, I feel I'm stuck in a rusted out Pinto (I'm not going to even attempt a comparison). There are steps forward and back in this process... sometimes even sideways. Remember when you had to learn square dancing in Gym class? I feel like I'm starting a new dance that I haven't been coached on yet... and I'm waiting for the calls that I know; Bow to your partner, bow to your corner... Do-sa-do Your Partner... and I couldn't wait for "Promenade!".

Instant gratification girl would like to know what plays the coach is going to call... let me study... give me a clue... I want a cheat sheet... COME ON - THROW ME A BONE!!! But, the joke is on me, because that's not how this thing called LIFE works. It throws you curves, it makes you jump to the side, and sometimes it has you square dancing with the guy (or girl) that you'd rather not hold hands with. But in the end, a lesson is learned. And, hopefully, you know a little more about yourself as a result.

One of my friends has a catchy quote that always makes me stop and think, "May you pass every test." Life is many tests strung together. The trick is becoming aware of the pattern - of MY patterns. I've also heard that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Becoming aware of my patterns... and attempting to stop the knee-jerk reaction is the practice that takes time, and courage, and patience, oh... did I mention forgiveness and compassion? I've even started to let go of some of my perfectionist tendencies (I know... shock). But to break the cycle of insanity I need to start somewhere.

Instant gratification girl is still alive and kicking in the back of my mind...  and I keep looking for that piece of mental-duck-tape.

Life is an aspiration. its mission is to strive for perfection, which is self-realization. The ideal must not be lowered because of our weaknesses or imperfections.

~ Mahatma Gandhi

Have you ever been in a situation, or a place in your life that you stop... literally stop in your tracks... and wonder "What am I DOING???" The realization hits you like a ton of bricks that you've been running on full speed - like a car with a cinder-block thrown on the gas pedal. And you've run out of gas my friend.


I've had many moments like this over the past couple of years. I am more aware of some than others - just because the situation was more impactful to my life at the time. For example; I bought a house last year. I moved from a large house to a tiny place about half the size. I'm still going through the furniture and other general stuff and giving away, throwing out, basically purging and getting down to the basics. But, I digress. 


I moved into this house thinking, "It's small, not much lawn to mow, the driveway is longish but ok... I can do this." Well... October came and the wind slammed down on us from Canada and stripped every single leaf on the 5 mature trees that I have around this tiny house. Initiation by fire... or should I say blower. By December, I had purchased more power tools than I had even thought of in my life. The realization that I HAD to have a LARGE snowblower came about that same time. The first snow hadn't yet come down upon us, so there were plenty of snow blowers to choose from. The largest size was 28" wide. These blowers came equipped with a headlight and heated hand grips. Not to mention the electric start (bonus) and the controls all in one bar between the handles. The thing even had 5 forward speeds and 3 reverse speeds. Yes, this is the blower I purchased. As I watched (with three kids watching a DVD in the back of my car), three guys took apart the handles and lifted the massive power tool into the back of my boyfriends' Durango. First, thank God for my boyfriend... Second, thank God for his Durango... otherwise that sucker wasn't getting back to the house.


Back to the point. The first snowfall came and I was ready. I couldn't wait to use this monster. I got bundled up and ran out to the garage - let's DO this!! Pumped, at 5:30 am I'm ripping the snow apart. At 6:00 I'm almost done with the driveway, but losing momentum. At 6:20 I'm finishing the driveway and head to the sidewalk - at which point I'm thinking, "This is NUTS!" I finally finish at 6:45. Put the blower back in the garage and head back into the house to shower for work... hoping I haven't completely disturbed my daughter from her long winter's nap. I close the garage door and stop... dead... in my tracks. WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING??!!!???!!! I'm a single mom that just bought a house that she THOUGHT was going to be easy to take care of and apparently I... AM... SO... TOTALLY... WRONG!!!


Al-righty then... breathe... close your eyes... feel your heart beating... Life goes on... 


I take a look up and see tiny flakes falling from the sky backlit from the lights on the house. The trees  have a wonderful blanket of snow on every branch. The evergreens are breathtaking. And the humongous evergreen in the front yard is amazing. That's when I realized everything would be ok. Because no matter how hard I worked at this place it would be worth it for the simple beauty and peace that surrounded it. THAT is why I chose to buy the place.


In a perfect world, I would be able to handle whatever is thrown my way with ease and grace. I'd like to believe that I strive to be the duck appearing to float upon the water while my feet are going crazy underneath. But that's where the practice comes in. It's not the appearance of calm that matters - it's being calm within the chaos that counts. 


It has been a long time since my last post. I had this thought tonight and figured, "Why not?" Just like my snowblower incident, I needed to take that next step. Physically take the next step. I'm not attempting to solve world peace, just do what I can, where I am, with what I have at my disposal. That's how I can make a difference. That's how I know everything will be ok. That's how I believe that no matter what the Universe lobs over the galactic fence to me, I'll be able to handle it.


... I got this...

The First Class

What a wonderful night! It's the first night before the (possibly) first Early Morning Class in the Barrington area!

Of course I can't sleep!

I am SO excited!

I am so excited to share the joy of teaching on Good Friday with friends... people I love and enjoy practicing with. It's perfect. It's a new beginning!

Tomorrow morning - 5:30 am - at Nirvana Yoga Studio (410 Main St. in Barrington) we will be happy, smiling, joyous and free. We will be experiencing this feeling each and every Friday morning

... at 5:30 until 6:45 am.

Get your fix of freedom early in the day and get ready for a great weekend!

Thank you ahead of time - much love and light!

Namaste

Om Shanti Om

Sadhana (Practice)

One may not reach the dawn save by the path of the night.

-- Kahlil Gibran

Life is full of celebrations and valleys... or so it seems. The celebration of a personal victory is always more sweet after a failure or defeat. The Winter Olympics are currently in full swing. Most of the Olympians have trained their entire life to get to this point... whether they are 16 or in their 20's, 30's, or 40's. They have dedicated their lives... and their parents have dedicated THEIR lives... to sport. I again return to the thought that it takes 10,000 times to practice a skill until the person becomes an expert. These Olympians are experts because not only have they practiced their skill 10,000 times... they have done it with the intention and heart to become excellent. But, if you think that they were successful each of those 10,000 or more times you have a warped sense of reality. The number of times these athletes failed out number the times that they were successful by... millions. Meaning, each time they hit the slopes, put on skates, or... ??? ... was only part of the practice. The preparation, the training, the visualization... that is also part of the 10,000 times. With visualization, athletes visualize their success... and sometimes their failures. Those athletes that visualize their failures are more likely to fail. Those athletes that visualize their successes, regardless of talent, are more likely to succeed.

What does all of this athlete talk have to do with "real-lifers"? We do the same things. The more that we visualize our success the more likely the chance of success actually happening.This is especially important to do while in a slump, a valley, a bad day. I have visualized the day that I would come out of the darkness. The day that the dawn would appear and the sun would shine. What I didn't realize is that we create our own dawn and we choose when it will happen. Like an athlete, I have practiced creating my dawn. My practice has been over the past 5 years. I have had successes and failures. As I continue to practice and visualize my successes consistently outweigh my failures. I remember the day that I opened the curtains in the house... that was my first success. The day I decided I had what I needed to be successful on my own... another success and a huge celebration. The day that I decided to open up and have friends help me... another massive success. The day that I took responsibility for my happiness... JOY. The day that I signed up for Yoga Teacher Training... not only successful but an amazing celebration. The day that I graduated and received my certificate... fabulous! Today I was asked to teach a class at my studio...and I am so proud of the journey that I took to get to this place, here and now. I have not been alone on the journey. People that surrounded me with love, nudged me forward, that supported me when I thought I would crumble, that listened to me and the drama... woke me up early and told me the truth... I love you all!

One may not reach the dawn save by the path of the night. The path of night is how we learn, how we grow, how we become aware, how we start to FEEL. Yoga is a way to move from thinking into feeling. It is a tool that helps navigate the darkness of night. On the mat, each morning, is where I continually learn to feel. I continue to use the tools provided within this ancient practice and move forward with love... into the light. NAMASTE - I bow to you. The light within me honors the light within you.

Being of Service

I never really understood what it meant to "be of service." I always thought that there would need to be a grand gesture of going to Aftica on a Mission trip or doing something else equally extraordinary. I never realized that I could be of service just where I am. The part I was missing is that I really don't need to concentrate on what I am going to do in the service area. I needed to change my perception to always think "How can I help?"

I work at a very large company with layers upon layers of organizational structure. I inhabit a cube that is famous for housing the only Gaiam Ball Chair in the company - with the possible exception of the fitness center. All of the walls are tan and the cube fabric is beige. I lovingly call this place beige-land. 

I have been wondering for a while now what my purpose is in this place. I have had the feeling that there was a larger reason that I was in that role at that organization and I needed to wait for the answer. The waiting is difficult, searching for clues to a purpose in beige-land. The work became monotonous, boring, stale. Tasks become de-motivating and repetitious. Some people love jobs like this... I do not thrive in this environment.


As I have been patiently asking for guidance, messages from different areas pacified my antsi-ness. It started one Sunday, before what turned out to be an incredibly sweaty yoga class, my teacher (Marlene) said, "Remember... you are right where you need to be at this moment." She has probably said this many times over, this was just the first time I heard it. Then she proceeded to put together a series of poses that were challenging and completely inspiring.


Another Sunday, again after Marlene's class, I was grocery shopping and quite literally ran into the card rack and was faced with a card that said, "Do what you can, where you are, with what you have!" (Teddy Roosevelt) This quote helped as I was attempting to sell a house in an incredibly low market, then realizing that I was not going to find a new house with the quality I wanted within my budget. This quote was more of a mantra during this period in time

The message that brought the pieces together for me was during Teacher Training. Rolf gave a dharma talk that I could grab onto. He talked about a previous job where he seemed to be in constant conflict with his boss. After a while of being in conflict he finally changed his mode of thinking to "How can I help." One day he walked into his bosses office and, instead of arguing against his bosses idea, asked that question; "How can I help?" This changed the dynamic of his relationship with his boss... to the point that he attended Rolf's wedding.


I realized I needed to take these three items and blend them into a mode of operation that is completely selfless and focused on the greater good. In addition, I wanted to be mindful of how I utilized it... over-using it could cause me not to follow through on other "How can I help you?" commitments. I started to use this as I walked through the halls, met with my team, interact with my boss(es). Then I noticed things start to change. Not only for me, but around me. People became more focused on how they can help others. At the end of last year I was assigned a new role that allowed me to put this to the test. Incredibly, I have noticed that the people not looking to help others but only out to help themselves are being asked to either change or find a new activity. I have noticed the use of the word "Mindful" in sentences and to describe work. The best part is; I am seeing change in the organization that gives me hope.

This action is what it means to "BE of service." Always being in the mode of "How can I help?" is beneficial to everyone

Let it rain

The following blog entry is completely inspired by the song "Rain" by Creed in their new album "Full Circle".

I am very influenced by music. My family is extremely musical and I've been exposed to every genre of music in existence since before I was born. Both of my parents were music majors at Indiana University and my mother taught piano and flute lessons as I was growing up. I was listening to music the other day and one of my favorite songs came on. As I listened to the lyrics I made the connection of how they link to events in my life over the recent past, and especialy how I've been feeling over the last week.


So, I'm sitting in my car, listening to the lyrics;

"Can you help me out? Can you lend me a hand?

It's safe to say that I'm stuck again

Trapped between this life and the light

I just can't figure out how to make it right..."

A thought shot through my mind ike a bolt of lightning; I realize that I have been stuck in this in-between place of understanding the journey and, yet, not achieving a feeling that I know how to make this process right. I've been blessed to have avenues of support as one situation after another pops up in-front of me. Like one of those Cowboy games that pop up villians in windows and along the streets where the objective is to shoot at them before they get you!

"... I tried to figure out
I can understand what it means to be whole again
Trapped between the truth and the consequence
Nothing's real, nothing's making sense..."

As the situations seem to go from odd... to odder... to completely Twighlight Zone... I continue to focus on the present moment. I understand that I have everything that I need to thrive. I know that I am surrounded by love. I understand what it means to be whole again. In this moment nothing is wrong, there are no problems. In this moment all is well and completely sane. I remind myself that I can handle everything happening in this moment and this too shall pass.

"... A thousand times before

I've wondered if there's something more, something more

I feel it's gonna rain lie this for days

So let it rain down and wash everything away

I hope that tomorrow the sun will shine

I feel it's gonna rain for days and day, I feel it's gonna rain..."

Notwithstanding any cliche references involving weather, there are various levels of storms that we must pass through in our lives to get to the sun. There are moments of sunshine in-between storms. My favorite is when there's rain while the sun is shining. I need the rain so I can grow, so I can learn from the current events and become aware of actions and reactions. I may not gain full understanding but I know that when the rain stops all of the crud will be washed away (kinda' like the salt that is currently covering my car).

"... Fall down, wash away my yesterdays

Fall down, so let the rain fall down on me..."

Noticing what I am Noticing

Awareness is an interesting thing... As I continue in my practice I increase the awareness of how things are settling into my body. January has been incredibly stressful at work. The work days have been long and full of intensity, the situations have needed a lot of practicing ahimsa (do no harm). Indeed, I have also been practicing selflessness in my actions at work - asking questions and suggesting changes for the greater good. This has been the majority of my practice in January.

What I am noticing, as my asana practice becomes sacred space and my meditation is integrated into my daily routine, is that I am becoming more aware. I am noticing shifts of perception that are happening in seconds now that, in the past, would take days or weeks. When I started this journey I was blissfully oblivious to what was going on around and within me. I didn't feel anything unless it was extreme. For example; for me to qualify as "being sick" I needed to have a fever and be completely unable to move. However, now, I am sensing the signs leading to illness and able to take appropriate preventative action - rest!

Now, here's the interesting part. I was the recipient of information a couple of days ago that would, in the past, set off a chain reaction of events driven by past conditioning - fear, self doubt, anger. Today, during a meeting, I noticed myself drifting from intense concentration on the conversation... then immediately into nothingness... then I found my thoughts focused on the personal situation. I noticed this shifting of thoughts and had an experience of "WOAH... what just happened!"

Noticing this enabled me to make a choice: I could refocus or continue into la-la-land. All kidding aside, I was able to quickly recognize the issue and re-focus my attention and concentration for the remainder of the meeting. Then, after the meeting, something important happened... I gave myself the gift of space to honestly feel what I was feeling and not judge but accept that it is what it is. Again... noticing what I am noticing here. I'm being honest with my feelings and not judging them as good or bad but accepting them at the point in time.

I am awed...

I Do Not Create Problems For Myself

My first introduction to Eckhart Tolle was when Oprah started the sessions for "A New Earth." I read the book, I followed the series, but it didn't really hit home. The concepts made sense and I understood the words but the meaning didn't take hold until later in the same year.


As I was listening to a Podcast of a show one night and I remember Oprah asking him, "... you don't have any issues? You don't have any problems? Not a one?" Eckhart's response was, "(pause)... I do not create any problems for myself." Ever since that night, his response has stuck with me. How do you do that? What is the process in which you do not create any problems for yourself?


There are so many ways that we create problems for ourselves. The trap that I find myself falling into is wanting things to be different than they are. Interestingly enough this is one of the things that my employers have valued about me. This way of thinking has been praised and fostered through years of post-graduate employment. Man, does this get me into trouble in my personal life. Exasperating the problem-generator is my tenacity to find a solution... looking at every angle... the thought that there has to be a way.


After I read "A New Earth" I picked up "The Power of Now." At the same time I was going through Yoga Teacher Training and learning the Eight Limbs of Yoga. The underlying concept of each is being in this moment... HERE... NOW... and dealing with the situation with basic principles of conduct; the first of which is Do No Harm.


When I start to solve a problem, it is important to understand and accept the present situation. Once the problem is identified, the search for a better or different way begins. This is a good life skill to have. However, balance is necessary to not generate any problems while attempting to solve the first one.


In my work environment I have figured out that I can cultivate this skill without a problem as long as I do not attach myself to an end result. In my personal life I need to apply the same balance. Between wanting things to be different than they are then attaching to an end result the only outcome can be problems... and many of them. They multiply!!


In my personal life accepting what is remains the key. Recently I have been wanting to change a situation. It involved schedules and location - neither of which were working out for my end goal. My end goal, by the way, which I had become completely attached. My tenacity kicked in... I was going to make this work! I problem solved the heck out of the situation. I analyzed it, turned it inside out, shoved it upside down, took it apart and put it back together again. I even attempted to talk it to death. Unfortunately the end result remained the same.


This created a problem for me. I generated it, fostered it, breathed life into it... a living, breathing problem. It finally exploded when, exasperated, I realized that it just wasn't going to work. Nothing that I could do, think, or will into place would make the situation any different than it was. The vision that I had created in my mind was not going to happen. Simply, I had failed... and generated a very large, oozing, problem along with the failure.


Lesson learned: accept the present moment as it is and be grateful for it. This moment comes around only once - take it in. There are NO problems in the present moment. There is nothing to solve, nothing to fix, nothing to change. The present moment is perfect.


Eckhart does not create problems for himself because he cultivates his practice of being in the moment. Within the moment he applies the appropriate principle. With every thought, word, and action he applies the appropriate principle. He does not want for anything different and knows that he already has what he needs to be successful.


So, what do I need to do now? Apply the principle of forgiveness... to myself. Accept the moment and situation as it is. Then let my "failure" go. We must fail many times over before we finally succeed... and what I really need to realize is... I am already successful!! What I wanted in the first place... I already had!

I Want What You Have

The following post is inspired by an excerpt from "Meditations from the Mat" by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison. 

Back in 2008 I picked up Rolfs' book and started reading it. By March of the next year I was engaged in his Yoga Teacher Training.


Interesting how the universe puts things in-front of you before they happen. Even more interesting is that we don't necessarily realize it. It takes being in tune with a Higher Power to start to become aware. So, this morning, I picked up Rolf's book again, asking for a message; "What do I need to know today?"


Day 58: 
"All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied. And be a simple kind of man, someone you can love and understand..." Lynyrd Skynyrd


At the end of this entry there is the most beautiful paragraph ever:

"On the mat I have learned no to live too fast. Troubles have come and they have passed. I found a woman and I found love. And I try never to forget that there is something up above. I've learned not to lust, and to believe that what I need is in my soul. I follow my heart and nothing else. I've become a simple man who I can love and understand. I am satisfied."

THAT'S what I want.......... and I have faith that I am on my way.


At the end of the Yoga Teacher Training course, during graduation, one of the students wrapped up his experience by saying to Rolf, "I want what you have..."


Rolf's response was simply, "I want what YOU have." So, not only is he satisfied, but humble too. Going further, he also recognizes qualities in others that he wants to cultivate. There is so much to learn on this simple path.

Getting Yourself Out of Your Way

This picture was taken by my beautiful friend Kellie Wilson this past weekend in the Chicago area. The ice crystals hanging on the tree was from the fog that morning. Her gift is my joy to share. This tree resembles the Three of Life and is a perfect picture and metaphor for this blog post. Thank you Kellie!

How many times have "we" - the collective "we" - been inspired to begin something just to have it fizzle out over time? The start of a new year is filled with aspiration, hope, and what we call "New Year Resolutions." The majority of us resolve to lose weight, get healthy, stop smoking, exercise more... whatever the goal is.


We start off with a BANG! If our thing is running, we start out with a great 3 mile run that makes us so sore we can barely move our body the next day (or, even worse, that afternoon). Ever notice how full the gym is the first two weeks of January? There's an act of God if a treadmill or elliptical machine is available when you walk in the door! By February the treadmills become more available. And, if we are still sticking with the exercise program we began with in March, there's an issue finding an open treadmill only every once-n-a-while. By the time May rolls around no one is in the gym.


We are so inspired at the start of a project or goal that we literally will ourselves to do it. Some people go to the point of spreadsheets, charts, and other mechanisms to assist us in showing our progress to our end goal. Honestly....... this has never worked for me. Usually by the second week of January there is something that has "come up" to get in the way of achieving my end result. Life has effectively gotten in the way. Some way, some how, it has snuck in and something else has taken priority. Before I know it... I've missed three or four workouts and I'm off of the wagon.


I've noticed that I have willed myself into a lot of life. I've willed myself to complete my homework, eat brussel sprouts, try escargot - by the way, not my favorite but I've heard many people like the dish. I've willed myself through relationships that weren't healthy. I have willed myself into diets, exercise routines... clothes. None of this made me feel any better, solved my problems, or really "worked" for me. Something else would always take priority over the goal. I've effectively gotten into my own way.


So the solution must be to change our habit... right? I could go into the psychology of changing a habit and how many times an action needs to be done in order for the habit to change... blah blah blah. Again, honestly, it's not about what we DO. We DO a lot. What we need to DO is stop.


Yes... I said STOP. Stop and figure out what we really need to fix... which is how we are BEING.


I've used the "I don't have time" excuse... as if there were a limited amount of it. What I have realized is that there is an abundance of this thing called "time"... we need to find our way of capturing it. This is different for each individual. We can make more time for ourselves by the way we are being... not in what we are doing.


So, this year I have made the decision to take small steps to achieve my goal without a timetable. I've made the decision to get out of my own way. Which is a good thing because I have a big goal... a really big goal... it may take many years to accomplish. My whole heart is focused on this goal. I don't see this goal as a vision or an image in my mind, it does not have a color or a shape or take place in a specific location... it is how I feel and how I am being, everything else will fall into place as it should. Every day I move forward with faith. As long as I focus on this, and take action from the heart, I am well on my way to achieving my goal.


Peace, Joy, and Love to all Beings... on this journey called Life.

My Prayer for 2010

I have a calendar from 2009 that has quotes from the Dalai Lama. The last quote of the year is as follows:

May I become at all times, both now and forever

A protector for those without protection

A guide for those have lost their way

A ship for those with oceans to cross

A bridge for those with rivers to cross

A sanctuary for those in danger

A lamp for those without light

A place of refuge for those who lack shelter

And a servant to all in need.

All of us, at one time or another - in the now or future - has needed someone to be one of those "things" above. I have needed many people over the past three years to be those "things" for me. I am so grateful for those friends who have become my guides, protectors and bridges. I am grateful for those strangers that have become my lamp, refuge, and ship. I am blessed to have people in my life that continue to be servants to all those they come in contact with that are in need.

My wish for 2010 is that we all realize that each person we encounter, whether in passing or engaging in a conversation, is a person in need. I have hope for human compassion, kindness, and love. In 2010, I believe we will all find these things in people we know... and we don't. I pray that I am aware when I am in need and someone provides. Most of all, I pray that I can be of service and provide when others are facing uncertainty and loss. What comes around goes around - I'm sending compassion, kindness, and love out into the world this New Year's Day... and also to myself.

I wish you and yours a very blessed 2010!