2010 Recap (so far)

2010 started out with a bang. I took a long roadtrip and spent the turn of the clock in the middle of the desert near the Salton Sea, with a group of people I barely knew, but knew I loved immediately, under a beautiful full moon, ready for the new year. My friend told me not too much later that this year would be her "year of boldness." It was a mantra of sorts and I kind of like the idea of having a mantra...speaking of, check out a mantra project here: www.mantratrailer.com

So, after two months of contemplation, I've decided that this year will be my "year of possibilities." I'm keeping the door open for the unexpected, because ultimately, the surprises keep happening whether I'm really ready for them or not. I guess that's supposed to be part of the fun right? I feel lucky in the fact that so far the surprises seem pretty positive. I want to be surprised, and I guess in the process I'm surprising myself.
Some things to be grateful for already:
*the above mentioned road trip
*a yoga practice that is changing the way I see the world and my place in it
*a good home with people I love and get along with in an awesome location
*a healthy and happy pregnant sister
*an amazing group of old friends
*an equally as amazing group of new friends
*a renewed sense of passion about my work and excitement as to what comes next with it
*work on a new project I feel personally drawn to
*ten years of great memories here in CA-->ie my heart
*the lack of money in the bank to show me that happiness and self full-fillment has very little to do with how much money I make
*the part of me that keeps trying to love, accept and respect myself for who I am so I can keep loving, accepting, and respecting others too
*the peaceful feeling I have in knowing that there isn't a single thing I regret having done or having happened in the last five years. Mistakes even. I wouldn't accept a million dollars to go backwards in time today.

What's Not Wrong?

by Thich Nhat Hanh


We often ask, "What's wrong?" Doing so, we invite painful seeds of sorrow to come up and manifest. We feel suffering, anger, and depression, and produce more such seeds. We would be much happier if we tried to stay in touch with the healthy, joyful seeds inside of us and around us. We should learn to ask, "What's not wrong?" and be in touch with that. There are so many elements in the world and within our bodies, feelings, perceptions, and consciousness that are wholesome, refreshing, and healing. If we block ourselves, if we stay in the prison of our sorrow, we will not be in touch with those healing elements.
Life is filled with many wonders, like the blue sky, the sunshine, the eyes of a baby. Our breathing, for example, can be very enjoyable. I enjoy breathing everyday. But many people appreciate the joy of breathing only when they have asthma or a stuffed up nose. We don't need to wait until we have asthma to enjoy our breathing. Awareness of the precious elements of happiness is itself the practice of right mindfulness. Elements like these are within us and all around us. In each second of our lives we can enjoy them. If we do so, seeds of peace, joy, and happiness will be planted in us, and they will become strong. The secret of happiness is happiness itself. Wherever we are, any time, we have the capacity to enjoy the sunshine, the presence of each other, the wonder of our breathings. We don't have to travel anywhere else to do so. We can be in touch with these things right now.