Family



Deer in Winter, Midwest

This week, being Christmas and all, has reminded me of how grateful I am for my family.   After a full decade of living several hours away from my own family, we are once again living closely, in the same town of the same state.  I had forgotten the blessings of sharing our daily lives.

While visiting and catching up every few months had always pleasant and positive, nothing compares to sharing the genuine ins and outs of daily existence with each other, the positives and the negatives, the real nitty gritty of life.  For this authenticity, I am thankful. 

I am also thankful for my partner's family, who I've grown to be a part of. They are the big, lively, fun, vibrant, and never-a-dull-moment oranges to the small, quiet, low key apples of my own family.  I like the contrast and the yang they bring to the yin I am used to. They have embraced me fully, apple and all. 

Family doesn't have to be biological, but can also be those who have came into your life along the way, including friends who become like sisters and brothers.  And I have some really amazing friends...who may sometimes not even realize how incredible they are.  I'm not sure how it happened, but I am lucky enough to be surrounded in a friend family of fellow yogis, artists, poets, writers, musicians, humanitarians, givers, seekers, students, teachers,  preachers, actors, singers, dancers, healers, rebels, mothers, fathers, nurses, veterans, peacemakers, rebels, excellent listeners, incredible advice givers, those who graciously let me emotionally vomit all over them and those who emote aching beauty and unconditional love.

These friends help me see things clearly, guide, console, inspire, tell great stories, help me make memories, make me laugh and keep teaching me over and over again.  They remind me not to take things so seriously and then validate me when I do take things seriously.  Even if we do not see each other as often as we'd like, they are in my minds and hearts every day and we share something special each time we interact and dialogue. They are my family. 

Yoga is something we can do each day on our own mats, in our own space, by ourselves, but its principles and goal of connection are taken out into the world, with our families and our friends and beyond.

So, Happy Holidays to all, to our families and friends.  Let them know how much you appreciate them.

And I hope Santa brought you a new yoga mat!

Question of the Week: What is something valuable your family has taught you?


My tiny yang and big yin kitties