✨ Happy Start ✨

Welcome Madiba!

Mike and I celebrated New Year’s in Chicago. We always love visiting the Windy City, but this particular trip was extra special.

A whole bunch of Shaws gathered in Evanston to watch the Rose Bowl. While I am happy about the Michigan victory, holding the baby was the real joy!

Anisa and Abdoulaye (yep, the winner of Art Prize, 2023) welcomed their son, Madiba, into the world on December 13. He is healthy, happy, and so beautiful.

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“And suddenly you know: It’s time to start something new
and trust the magic of beginnings.”
~ Meister Eckhart

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Being Ourselves
Loving Ourselves

Happy start to 2024!

Recently I read something about the success rate of New Year’s Resolutions. Let’s just say, it was not encouraging.

This got me thinking about all of the hope and determination that is generated at the new year.

I am definitely supportive of personal growth and evolution; in fact, it’s one of the main reasons I practice, and teach, yoga. I believe in our ability to transform.

And yet, resolutions often don’t go according to plan.

This year, perhaps we can shift our lens a bit. Instead of trying to “improve ourselves,” we might try softening into being ourselves. We can do this by building in moments to pause. We can feel back down into our belly and find our breath. We can re-connect to the earth below in order to ground and return to presence.

I also recently listened to a fascinating podcast about how the way we think shapes our own pathway. Our inner dialogue matters.

This year, let’s allow our hearts to lead the way. ​

“Put down your petty grievances,
Your jealousies and comparisons,
Your burdens of guilt and blame.
You have something more important to carry:
Your own life purpose,
Your fullest flowering.”

~Elizabeth Lesser ​
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With love, light and longing for peace,​

~ m