merry happy everything
Find hope in new horizons. Be kind to yourself as you wrestle with what it means to begin again.
Morgan Harper Nichols
Although I am rarely at a loss for words, I can shamelessly confess that 2018-2019 nearly knocked both French and English out of me. I was brought to my knees and lifted way up; I fell into deep dark holes and was caught by cozy compassionate safety nets; I grieved and loved and lost and fulfilled not one but two dreams teaching for Wanderlust in Europe.
Quite literally all the feels.
But – as I often inquire – is this just simply the process of life? Do we look back every year and think YIKES in hopes for a better, softer upcoming 365 days?
I believe the answer depends on our perspective, which is why this work in yoga and mindfulness continues to be so meaningful for me. It has helped me realize that we are walking our own unique paths; that Universe or God or Nature – whatever you want to call it – has our back, which is especially clear when we choose to trust and align our actions with our heart’s intentions.
Whatever that means to you, I encourage each of us to take the remainder of this holiday season to reflect on everything – the joys and sorrows, highs and lows, the in-betweens – and to celebrate it all. That we continue to learn from and nourish our Selves, each other, and the planet that nurtures us unconditionally every day of every year.
I’ll leave the rest to the brilliant Mary Oliver:
I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
With your one wild and precious life?
I celebrate you. Thank you for being here.
Read the newsletter for nourishing veg inspo, 2020 with The Good Life Retreat in Costa Rica and Dordogne, conscious [delicious] shopping discounts, an old friend’s new song, and good vibes.
Onward.
Photo by Yasmina Schoueri at Wanderlust 108 Paris, France.
2 Comments
You’ve had quite a journey 2018-2019, Sasha! I, too had quite a roller-coaster kind of life during that same time period. I relate to so many things you’ve written about as you went along ~ trying to cope, figuring things out, and finding the blessings, beauty and life lessons among the chaos. I really appreciate your blog – honest, insightful – and fun to read. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2020. Virginia
thank you as always virginia! means so much to hear that. one year/day/moment at a time. much love to you and happy holidays/2020.