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Leading with Light and Love

7/25/2024

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Still trying to convince Javi he ENJOYS sailing 😉

Deep Summer

Hi friends! 
How is your summer season going?

In our charming towns, things are super lively! We have been filling the deck for yoga classes at Lakeshore Resort, the cove was PACKED with boats last Sunday, and the restaurants are breaking records. I feel so fortunate to live here. 

And, when our small villages are bursting at the seams, it’s good to remember . . . small acts of grace and kindness can go a LONG way! 🥰
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“I've learned that people will forget what you said,
people will forget what you did, 
but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
~ Maya Angelou

Small Acts 
Big Impact

I recently read an interesting article about the power behind small acts of kindness. 

Dick Kazan, a 79 year old man in California, greets people passing by his home with a smile and wave. Every morning. 

That’s it. 

And guess what? People love it! In fact, folks have talked about the positive impacts that ripple out from this small gesture. The kids are really all in! Many smile and wave enthusiastically in return. 

What I was especially intrigued by though is the reasoning behind Mr. Kazan’s outreach. At 46 he was materially successful, but he also understood he was not a very nice person. 

Now, he delights in the small, intentional acts of kindness because he knows they build community and connection. 

I try and remind myself of this, and the Maya Angelou quotation up above 👀⬆️, during moments of challenge. Yes, in the heat of busy summer, people may challenge us at times. But, better to lead with light and love because we all need the moment of grace. 

So, take a deep breath everyone. Enjoy the moment. And remember to be kind, Unless you can be fantastic. Then, be fantastically kind! ♥️

Let’s all lead with love and light,
~m
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Home from Nicaragua

7/18/2024

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Third Time was Charming!

I am back from my third coffee related trip. This time, visiting El Recreo Coffee Estate outside of Jinotega, Nicaragua.


Each of these farm-direct trips have been amazing. This one? Wow!
Super special.

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Being there with a crew of coffee folks made the experience extra enriching. And, getting to know the hard-working team at El Recreo was a beautiful bonus. ​
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“Our purpose is to put a name, a face, and a place
to every cup of coffee you drink.”
~ Bob & Michelle Fish, Co-Founders of One Bigg Island in Space

Escaping Our Own Mind
Listening with Both Ears

There’s lots I want to share about my time in Nicaragua.

First, the coffee farm we stayed on is GORGEOUS!
No matter where we were throughout the 360 acres, everything was:
  • Lush | the plants, trees, flowers, birds, streams, and waterfalls are EPIC
  • Vibrant | the tortillas are handcrafted in the kitchen every day beginning at 3 AM so the workers have meals 3 times per day; the farm school is humming with laughter and learning; the health center is stocked and staffed; the chapel is a place of refuge.
  • Socially responsible | the farm operates on solar power; the regenerative farm practices are visible everywhere: worm composting, repurposing invasive bamboo, etc.

All that said, it’s the PEOPLE who made this trip so memorable:
  • We shared meals with the Administration Team who manage the farm.
  • We served lunch, coffee, and cake to the workers in honor of birthdays happening in June and July.
  • We were taught to make tortillas in the kitchen that serves all of the workers (Mine didn’t look so pretty, but served hot off the griddle, it was pretty delicious!)  
  • We met the kids in the farm school and watched them delight in our gifts and hear them count to 10 in English! (Yes, we did count to 10 for them in Spanish as well 😉.)
  • We helped distribute bonus packages to workers who have been on the farm more than 3 months and more than a year

On top of all that, I was able to lead yoga classes in the morning for whomever wanted to attend. If you’ve been in class with me, you know sometimes I give this unusual yoga cue: “Try listening with both of your ears.”

While you may not think of our ears as having anything to do with yoga, this is a quick way to separate ourselves from the constant chatter that rattles around in our head. When we focus on trying to hear with both ears, we get outside of our head and into the soundscape that surrounds us.

I teach in a lot of different environments, so sometimes this cue is less helpful.  Who wants to tune into the noise of a highway or the loud lawnmowers and leaf blowers buzzing around? 🤪

But at El Recreo, this was the BEST cue imaginable.

We listened to animated bird songs and bubbling waterfalls.
I hope that soundscape stays with me, because it’s an imprint my nervous system needs! ♥️

So, take a moment to settle into a peaceful place and try it!

Try listening with both of your ears.
Reach far away for a sound.
Then, bring your listening within to explore your own breath.
Enjoy 5 - 10 rounds of expansive, even breathing.

See how much better you feel?! 🥰

Yoga does not have to be complicated to be impactful, and it can happen anywhere!

With love and light,
~m
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My Blog about Burundi

7/11/2024

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“Boots on the Ground”

Surprise!
​

While I am off in Nicaragua, visiting a Farm-Direct partner for One Bigg Island in Space, I thought I’d share a little more about my experience in Burundi.

Bob and Michelle invited me to write a guest blog for their site; I’m excited that it’s now live.

Simply click here to see and read more about going on an initial exploratory visit in search of people and farms that are value aligned. It’s all about People, Planet, and the Community! ​
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Hope to see you at Red Dock on Sunday | 3 - 7 P!  🎉🎤🥰

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Happy 4th!

7/4/2024

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Sweetness of Summer
​
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This holiday, I hope you experience something beautiful and delightful. Amidst all of the busyness and the celebration, let’s pause and be present with one another.  

Let’s take a moment and soak up the goodness that surrounds us.

When we tune into our bodies and our beings, we turn down the volume of the chatter in our brain. And when that chatter dissipates, we can hear ourselves, and one another, more clearly. ​
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“I’m glad I understand that while language is a gift,
listening is a responsibility.”
~ Nikki Giovanni

Lessening the Stress
Elevating our Lives

The 4th of July may seem like a funny day to think about getting quiet within. 😉

But, when so much else is heightened around us, it’s even more important to have the tools that keep us grounded and connected.

Today, a short note.
A sweet reminder:
  • Take a  moment to feel your feet on the earth;
  • Soften into your belly and find a few rounds of expansive breath;
  • Try listening with both of your ears to the soundscape around you;
  • Repeat whenever you feel stressed, or out of sorts, or simply want to return to center. ♥️

And, a quick heads up. No newsletter next week.
I’ll be back in coffee land; this time Nicaragua! 🇳🇮
My classes at Satya, Lakeshore Resort, and Yacht Club are STILL ON! 💪🏽

I look forward to sharing stories of my adventures 🥰

Happy holiday,

~m

P.S. Mike’s Band is playing at Red Dock, right when I return! 🎉
Sunday, July 14 | 3 - 7 P
Guest Vocals by my dear friend, and fellow traveler, Michelle Fish
Trust me, you WANT to hear her sing!! 🎤 I hope to see you there!
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    Author

    Michelle Shaw:
    A student, and a teacher, who's
    insatiably curious and loves living well. 

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