Grace in Small Things: Day Seven, Birthday Edition

Today is my 24th birthday...second birthday on the road. Well, I guess this really isn't the road anymore, since I've basically settled here, but you know. It was yesterday I was writing this post about my 23rd birthday...wasn't it?

Graces:

1. My amazing friends.

Here and at home and the other places in the world they are right now.

The girls who will always be there, no matter what--ladies, you know who you are. You're very far from me right now, but I hold you in my heart always and I love you very much.

My boys at work and in Guildford. I don't know what I'd do without you sometimes. You are wonderfully magnificent; you have given me a family here and for that I am incredibly grateful.

2. The most incredible opportunities.

To learn and live and grow in such a beautiful place. To know the people I know, to have been able to go the places I've been. To touch lives and be touched by life. I've had a very charmed 24 years, it must be true.

3. Wonderland.

Let us raise a glass to Wonderland. Here's to you! And to staying in it, always.

4. The way yoga has changed me.

Yoga is rebirth. It's messy and it's bloody and it breaks you open. Splits you from the inside out. It breaks me and rebuilds me. And it breaks me again. I sit straighter now, and I move with more intention. Keep shoulders down and back...open. Always open. Taking deep breaths; drinking in air and essence and the constant swirl of energy that is always present.

My practise is disjointed and misplaced. Once a week in the studio, here and there on the weekends and after work, trying to carve out the phsyical space in a room that's just too small. But I practise in the elevator trip; going up two floors, standing in tree pose. And I practise in taking the stairs and remembering to breathe. And I practise sitting at my desk when I notice my choice to allow someone to start to fray my last nerve, and I practise in not saying those things my ego wants me to that do not serve me or anyone. I practise mula bandha while sitting in the car; creating core strength and bracing the spine. I practise when I remember the concept of yin and yang--nonduality. That binaries do not exist and that things that are seemingly opposite are merely two sides of the same coin.

My practise is not perfect, and I crave more studio-time; I trust that this will come. The money will be there, the schedule will work out, the universe provides.

Most of all, though, yoga is one of many things that reminds me to Live on Purpose.

5. Authenticity.

Is a bit of a buzz word, but ignore that for a moment. What I'm talking about here is living life authentically. And that means different things for different people--different things for everyone, really. Living in a way that resonates with you, that makes you feel breathless and free, that lights that seemingly elusive (it's not) soul-fire. How do you know when you "find" it? Is something that people have asked me, and the answer is simple. How do you know Love? Beauty? Grace? Peace? Faith? You just do. When you know, you know, and you embrace and revel in the mystery.

"To understand that a little girl with more courage than she knew, would find her prayers were answered, can that not be called happiness?"

Yes, it can.