Paradox

I'm overdue in writing. The holidays have come and gone. My parents have come and gone. A New Year has begun (even though there is no such thing as time.) My daughters are back in school. We got Juniper through this last episode with her back and now she is a "low lifer" forced into a more mellow, supervised existence. Stay low, Junie, stay low.
Our weather is HOT. It was 85 degrees yesterday. While the warmth of the sun feels good it is also a reminder that "anything goes" these days in terms of weather. The plants are confused as to what season it is - as are all of us. Is winter over? Do we put the coats back in the closet? But no! It can't be! It's January! We need more rain! We haven't had enough time to chill! We haven't had the opportunity to hibernate and go within. It isn't natural!!! ...What is natural?

Last night I did almost two hours of YIN yoga and then I slid into bed like silk. Feeling relaxed, open, and peaceful I woke up that way too. I called my dear friend and she was sitting next to the shell of her mother who had passed away only hours before. Later in the morning while walking the dogs around the neighborhood I talked with my other dear friend who told me the results of her PET scan revealed spots on her bones, only months after she finished grueling chemotherapy and radiation for lung cancer. Now she has more treatment to do. I slapped my cell phone shut and shoved it into my jeans pocket. SHIT!

Birds were chirping. The sun felt  warm and soothing. The sky was blue. Orange and avocado trees were bursting abundantly with their fruits.

Hold paradox in every moment and do not waver!! Do not waver! Do not waver!

I took over Robert's class at The Gables last week. I am filling in for him as he is on vacation. Two more classes to go. We stretched in our chairs, tilted our heads, rolled our wrists and elbows, rounded our backs, lifted our knees, gently twisted our torsos. I offered a reading on enthusiasm. I got the impression that one woman didn't care for me. But I also got the impression that she might not care for anyone. Limited to a walker I suspect her world feels small. Is she resentful? Angry? Has her life been a good one? Are there regrets?

Compassion. Compassion. Compassion.

The seven other women were open, receptive, smiling and enthusiastic. Help me have a good attitude as I age! Please!

The fifth grade yoga went well on Friday. I had each child pick a yoga pretzel card and lead the group in the pose from the center of our circle. We went on an imaginary journey to our "beautiful place" and they loved it.

My home yoga continues. For the month of January I have two women. A semi-private class and they are both thrilled. They get loved and pampered while they stretch and hang. How lucky!

From the outside it appears the world is falling apart. Old systems are breaking down. Violence, greed and corruption are being revealed at high levels. People are losing jobs, homes, and security. Is there ever really security?
Or has it always been an illusion?

A toast to a New Year. A rebirth. A new way of Being in the world of materiality. To the next step up in the evolution of our human species...or not.