Well, actually I'm heading out with the little reds to a retreat.
Although I hope we all advance.
I'm leading the retreat for a church in Virginia. I'm not used to working for churches that have lots of financial resources. This one obviously does since they're paying for all three of our plane tickets, accomodations, meals, and also giving me a hefty honorarium. Suweet!
The theme of the retreat is "Landscapes, Languages, and Love." I will definitely give them their money's worth. I'm really excited. Lots of cool activities planned for them.
I'll let y'all know how it goes.
Interesting to lead a retreat at a Hilton Hotel in the Outer Banks...
Yes, we will be advancing while we retreat.
Peace,
RevMutha
p.s. I got up and went to yoga at 6 a.m. When the alarm went off I thought "Oh no. Not happening. God, if you want me to go, get me out of this bed." And then I got up. I'm still astonished. And grateful.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
from 40 days to 40 days
I finished my 40 days to personal revolution on Saturday.
Today the 40 days of Lent begins.
I believe that my Lenten discipline will be to continue the yoga practices cause they seem to be working for me. Stronger, more flexible, more open.
21 days til I leave for Palau. I am praying that the trip gives my precious hubby time to totally heal.
In the meantime, life goes on.
Peace,
RevMutha
Today the 40 days of Lent begins.
I believe that my Lenten discipline will be to continue the yoga practices cause they seem to be working for me. Stronger, more flexible, more open.
21 days til I leave for Palau. I am praying that the trip gives my precious hubby time to totally heal.
In the meantime, life goes on.
Peace,
RevMutha
Friday, February 12, 2010
My how things change
I wrote my last blog entry on Tuesday.
Wednesday night, my precious hubby was admitted, via the emergency department, to the hospital with a perforated diverticulum. I spent Thursday morning in the hospital with him and then he insisted that I go to my Lifestyle session. As I was driving to the yoga studio, I was thinking about everything that was happening and how I really had revolved...Normally, I would have gone into overdrive and started making lists of what to do if...if hubby needed major surgery, if we couldn't go to Palau, if I couldn't find child care, if I couldn't make it to church on Sunday cause I needed to be at the hospital...
But I didn't do any of that.
I thought about it but thought that it would be wasted energy. I will know what I know when I know it. I will make the decisions I need to make when they need to be made. Acceptance. Breath. Find space. Breathe.
And making my vision board was a cool experience. I'm not finished with it (poetic) but I will keep working on it.
Hubby has made miraculous recovery. Seriously miraculous.
So thank God for antibiotics, good physicians, and answered prayer.
I go to my celebration Master Class at 6 p.m. then I'll come get hubby from hospital and take him home. We will curl up in our bed and watch the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics.
At least that's my plan. But we all know how plans can change.
Shanti, gentle readers.
RevMutha
Wednesday night, my precious hubby was admitted, via the emergency department, to the hospital with a perforated diverticulum. I spent Thursday morning in the hospital with him and then he insisted that I go to my Lifestyle session. As I was driving to the yoga studio, I was thinking about everything that was happening and how I really had revolved...Normally, I would have gone into overdrive and started making lists of what to do if...if hubby needed major surgery, if we couldn't go to Palau, if I couldn't find child care, if I couldn't make it to church on Sunday cause I needed to be at the hospital...
But I didn't do any of that.
I thought about it but thought that it would be wasted energy. I will know what I know when I know it. I will make the decisions I need to make when they need to be made. Acceptance. Breath. Find space. Breathe.
And making my vision board was a cool experience. I'm not finished with it (poetic) but I will keep working on it.
Hubby has made miraculous recovery. Seriously miraculous.
So thank God for antibiotics, good physicians, and answered prayer.
I go to my celebration Master Class at 6 p.m. then I'll come get hubby from hospital and take him home. We will curl up in our bed and watch the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics.
At least that's my plan. But we all know how plans can change.
Shanti, gentle readers.
RevMutha
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Last days of revolution
3 in-studio yoga sessions, 2 at home practices, and 1 lifestyle session to go. This week in the lifestyle session we are making vision boards. We have to bring magazines so we can cut out pictures. My initial reaction was "That's cheesy." And I'm sure it will be if I want it to be. Or I can embrace it like I've chosen to do with other aspects of this program and think about how I see myself keeping the changes I've made. I think I'm going to choose to just go with it and see how the experience is. I'll do my lifestyle session on Thursday at noon so I'll let y'all know how it goes.
There has definitely been some revolution. I am much more flexible, I am stronger, I am more relaxed, I've made some wonderful friendships, and I've learned how to make chinese dumplings!
So the program has been successful for me.
Peace,
RevMutha
There has definitely been some revolution. I am much more flexible, I am stronger, I am more relaxed, I've made some wonderful friendships, and I've learned how to make chinese dumplings!
So the program has been successful for me.
Peace,
RevMutha
Monday, February 8, 2010
Who Dat
This has been a long time coming!
I was born in New Orleans. I remember my mom's crush on Archie Manning when he was the Saints Quarterback. I have a fleur de lis tattoo.
You get the idea.
I am so damn happy this morning that I can hardly stand it.
Usually, I enjoy the super bowl but have no real vested interest.
Now I know how FANS feel when their team wins. Especially when their team is the underdog.
I think there was even more excitement with the Saints victory--thinking about everything that New Orleans has been through in the past 5 years--the awesome spirit of generosity and hope that Drew Brees and his wife brought into the city--it just meant a whole lot to a whole lot of people. New Orleans got a break.
Some funny quotes: "Hell has frozen over and the devil is serving hurricanes!"
I don't know about that, but I know that dis is one good ole day fo sho! Who dat say dey gonna beat dem saints? Dis here year our year! Dem Saints has done marched in so go grab another plate and another drink and laissez les bons temps roulez!
Geaux, Saints!
RevMutha
I was born in New Orleans. I remember my mom's crush on Archie Manning when he was the Saints Quarterback. I have a fleur de lis tattoo.
You get the idea.
I am so damn happy this morning that I can hardly stand it.
Usually, I enjoy the super bowl but have no real vested interest.
Now I know how FANS feel when their team wins. Especially when their team is the underdog.
I think there was even more excitement with the Saints victory--thinking about everything that New Orleans has been through in the past 5 years--the awesome spirit of generosity and hope that Drew Brees and his wife brought into the city--it just meant a whole lot to a whole lot of people. New Orleans got a break.
Some funny quotes: "Hell has frozen over and the devil is serving hurricanes!"
I don't know about that, but I know that dis is one good ole day fo sho! Who dat say dey gonna beat dem saints? Dis here year our year! Dem Saints has done marched in so go grab another plate and another drink and laissez les bons temps roulez!
Geaux, Saints!
RevMutha
Thursday, February 4, 2010
grace
I was on the receiving end of grace last night.
Yesterday marked the 15 year anniversary of my mother's death.
I went out to dinner with this woman who I admire GREATLY. I truly am awed at God's goodness by the amazing people that I get to call friends. This woman has no sense of hubris about her multitude of accomplishments. She is who she is and tells it like it is. She's amazing. At some point during the evening, I mentioned something about my mother and she was asking me questions about her. When I shared that it was the anniversary of her death, she asked for her name. She was going to pray for her and celebrate what a wonderful woman she must have been. During the course of our laughter and conversation, it came out that both my mother and this woman were big fans of Salvatore Ferragamo shoes. My friend had actually come to St. Thomas early and had gone to a custom sandal maker. She invited me to join her this morning to go back to the sandal maker and pick up her new shoes. I can imagine that this would make my mother very happy. I also joked that I might have to also get a pair of custom made sandals as a way to honor my mother. Either that or a Mont Blanc pen. Or maybe both!
Grace.
RevMutha
Yesterday marked the 15 year anniversary of my mother's death.
I went out to dinner with this woman who I admire GREATLY. I truly am awed at God's goodness by the amazing people that I get to call friends. This woman has no sense of hubris about her multitude of accomplishments. She is who she is and tells it like it is. She's amazing. At some point during the evening, I mentioned something about my mother and she was asking me questions about her. When I shared that it was the anniversary of her death, she asked for her name. She was going to pray for her and celebrate what a wonderful woman she must have been. During the course of our laughter and conversation, it came out that both my mother and this woman were big fans of Salvatore Ferragamo shoes. My friend had actually come to St. Thomas early and had gone to a custom sandal maker. She invited me to join her this morning to go back to the sandal maker and pick up her new shoes. I can imagine that this would make my mother very happy. I also joked that I might have to also get a pair of custom made sandals as a way to honor my mother. Either that or a Mont Blanc pen. Or maybe both!
Grace.
RevMutha
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
In my house?
On March 8, I'm going to be a hosting a lunch for a bishop from Africa in my house. No pressure or anything. But it has to be at my house because the next day I leave for Palau and I can't deal with the stress of it being somewhere else. I'm inviting some other movers and shakers in the diocese to join us and so far, all have accepted. I asked the woman who is coordinating his trip if he has any dietary restrictions. She said "No but he is very uncomfortable in restaurants because of the cost." So I'm guessing I need to be fairly low key.
I will have to consult with my GBF about menu.
I was thinking Southern cuisine but 2 of the guests came to my house for the Christmas Clergy party and I served Southern then. Darn.
My bishop will be attending, too, so that's cool.
I'm thinking I should be more stressed about this. But I'm not. I got the email this a.m. from the lady who is hosting the bishop's visit asking me if he could come to Rochester for the day and could we pay for the tickets from NYC. I said "Sure." Then I got on the phone inviting people to lunch. Piece of cake. Fun, really. No stress--I just think it's cool. Must be the yoga.
Off to St. Thomas, VI in the early a.m.
I'm never crazy about flying over the ocean. Since my wonderful hubby spoils me and we fly first class to Palau, it's never that bad. I think the alcohol helps. No such luck tomorrow. Oh well, it will be good experience for my trip to Africa this summer. I'll keep y'all informed. And I welcome menu suggestions for the lunch. I want it to be low key but delicious. Like me!
Peace,
RevMutha
I will have to consult with my GBF about menu.
I was thinking Southern cuisine but 2 of the guests came to my house for the Christmas Clergy party and I served Southern then. Darn.
My bishop will be attending, too, so that's cool.
I'm thinking I should be more stressed about this. But I'm not. I got the email this a.m. from the lady who is hosting the bishop's visit asking me if he could come to Rochester for the day and could we pay for the tickets from NYC. I said "Sure." Then I got on the phone inviting people to lunch. Piece of cake. Fun, really. No stress--I just think it's cool. Must be the yoga.
Off to St. Thomas, VI in the early a.m.
I'm never crazy about flying over the ocean. Since my wonderful hubby spoils me and we fly first class to Palau, it's never that bad. I think the alcohol helps. No such luck tomorrow. Oh well, it will be good experience for my trip to Africa this summer. I'll keep y'all informed. And I welcome menu suggestions for the lunch. I want it to be low key but delicious. Like me!
Peace,
RevMutha
Breakthrough!
I did my first shoulder stand today!
And stayed up the entire time we were holding the inversion pose!
Since I only have a week and a half of revolution left, it's pretty exciting. I also attempted "crow." Didn't achieve it but at least I attempted it whereas usually I just laugh when the instructor says anything about "crow."
Today's practice left me feeling really fulfilled--I felt like I had achieved something important. I never thought I'd like yoga. It didn't seem like "me." But "me" changes. I'm starting to understand that my willingness/desire to change is important to/for me.
I saw a bumper sticker one time that said "Change is inevitable, growth is optional." This 40 days thing is a growing experience. And what I appreciate about it is that it can always be a challenge for me. Yoga is like Tai Ji. You never master it--you just practice it.
Probably a lot like Christianity. But we don't tend to talk about Christianity in those terms.
Maybe it's time we did. I'm just sayin'.
Peace,
RevMutha
And stayed up the entire time we were holding the inversion pose!
Since I only have a week and a half of revolution left, it's pretty exciting. I also attempted "crow." Didn't achieve it but at least I attempted it whereas usually I just laugh when the instructor says anything about "crow."
Today's practice left me feeling really fulfilled--I felt like I had achieved something important. I never thought I'd like yoga. It didn't seem like "me." But "me" changes. I'm starting to understand that my willingness/desire to change is important to/for me.
I saw a bumper sticker one time that said "Change is inevitable, growth is optional." This 40 days thing is a growing experience. And what I appreciate about it is that it can always be a challenge for me. Yoga is like Tai Ji. You never master it--you just practice it.
Probably a lot like Christianity. But we don't tend to talk about Christianity in those terms.
Maybe it's time we did. I'm just sayin'.
Peace,
RevMutha
Monday, February 1, 2010
A different kind of yoga class
I wanted to go to a Foundations class today (in addition to the regular Open Level Power Vinyasa class I'll go to at 4 p.m. I know--I'm being ambitious. Credit 40 days.)
I had already had this instructor in a restorative class and an open level class and I like her. When I walked into the class, I could tell the yogis were of a slightly different ilk. Like maybe an adult retirement community.
God bless them. I didn't exactly get out of the class what I had hoped--I had hoped to get some individual instruction on doing shoulder stands or maybe coming into crow. But I think most of the instructor's energy was focused on praying that one of the gentlemen in the class didn't keel over. He moaned and let out "ARGH"s on each and every pose, including folding forward.
I admire that man. He didn't hold back. And he's in a yoga class even though he's probably well into his 70s. The instructor talked about the parallels in living a good life and having good balance. Having good balance and being aware of how your body moves is critical as we age. People get unsteady, fall, break hips, get pneumonia cause they can't move around, and boom! Welcome to heaven!
I'm looking forward to going back to Lyndsey's class in a little while. I'll get some good sweat going and breathe and FLOW.
Namaste,
RevMutha
I had already had this instructor in a restorative class and an open level class and I like her. When I walked into the class, I could tell the yogis were of a slightly different ilk. Like maybe an adult retirement community.
God bless them. I didn't exactly get out of the class what I had hoped--I had hoped to get some individual instruction on doing shoulder stands or maybe coming into crow. But I think most of the instructor's energy was focused on praying that one of the gentlemen in the class didn't keel over. He moaned and let out "ARGH"s on each and every pose, including folding forward.
I admire that man. He didn't hold back. And he's in a yoga class even though he's probably well into his 70s. The instructor talked about the parallels in living a good life and having good balance. Having good balance and being aware of how your body moves is critical as we age. People get unsteady, fall, break hips, get pneumonia cause they can't move around, and boom! Welcome to heaven!
I'm looking forward to going back to Lyndsey's class in a little while. I'll get some good sweat going and breathe and FLOW.
Namaste,
RevMutha
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