“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” ~ Alexander Graham Bell Destination Unknown
Next Right Steps Hello yogi friends! As we near the beginning of 2024, I hope you find time to rest. And reflect. While resolutions are popular this time of year, I enjoy creating spaciousness so I can get clear on my intention(s). The yogic concept of Sankalpa helps me along the way. San: a connection to the highest truth Kalpa: vow While making a pledge to live into our best self may sound like a heavy lift, I see this as an opportunity to explore our own growth:
These are just a few of the questions we can begin asking ourselves in order to gain clarity. And here’s the thing: living into our highest truth doesn’t mean we know the exact outcome, let alone the pathway forward so we can get there! It’s true. Our destination might be unknown. The pathway forward might be unclear, or rocky, or a massive set of switchbacks. But, if we stay focused on living into our best self, and use that vow as a lighthouse, then we have a built in GPS guiding us every step of the way. My New Year’s wish for us all? Create spaciousness around ourselves. For our introspection, our growth, and our pathway forward in 2024. Stay committed to the light within and keep moving towards the light. May there be peace, ~ m
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 Four of the rockstars bringing us our cups of coffee Solomon Demeza, Pascual Hernandez, Martha Vazquez, Miquel Angel Cruz
“In the midst of darkness, light persists.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength to Love, 1963 Season of Darkness
Season of GROWTH! I am extra happy we are connecting today! Winter Solstice is my favorite day of the year. I love that everyday from now until late June grows a bit longer and a bit brighter. Sure, for those of us who remain in West Michigan for the duration of winter? That can be almost impossible to believe, let alone see. 🙄 But, it’s true! Even in the darkness, the quiet, and the frigid temperatures . . . a new cycle is beginning. Those amazing daffodils that finally emerge in spring? They don’t begin their growth in April. 😉 This is the season to welcome in more stillness. Allow ourselves to explore what it is we want to nurture and grow. Can we invite ourselves to do a little less, rather than always push into more? How about choosing foods, friends, and activities that are both nourishing and nurturing? Even if we can’t find long periods of rest and restoration, where can we carve out small spaces to pause and become still? Think of this time as the chrysalis of the butterfly. A time to cocoon. True. This may look like nothing is happening, but our time of rest creates our transformation and our growth. This is the time to dream. To explore what we really want and need. To see what is ready to emerge into the light. With light and love, ~ m 🦋 
“We are traveling the globe to find coffee farmers that are doing the right thing for their people, for the planet, and their communities.” ~ Bob Fish, Co-CEO of Biggby Coffee, Co-Founder of One Bigg Island In Space Spilling the Beans
People. Planet. Community. Hola! I hope you are wondering why in the world, or HOW in the world, I ended up on this incredible trip?! Seven years ago I got a text from Michelle Fish, whom I did not know, asking if we could do some private yoga classes together. That initial yoga class has turned into years of practice together, an incredible friendship, and so much more. 🥰 Michelle’s husband, Bob, started what has become BIGGBY Coffee. Bob and Michelle decided they want to have ALL of the coffee beans, used by ALL of the BIGGBY Coffee franchises, come directly from a farm, and farmer, they have a direct partnership with. They call this project: One BIGG Island in Space. Yes, I did say all of the coffee beans. And, by all the beans . . . I mean over 2,000,000 pounds per year. 😳 (Fact: There are over 200 labor hours invested in producing and processing a cup of coffee long before it gets to our lips.) And, while a direct parthernship sounds good, what does that truly mean? In this instance, having a direct partnership with . . . means that Bob & Michelle have extensively walked the farms, eaten and lodged with the farmers, and visited the farm multiple times. (Fact: So far, Bob & Michelle have travelled to Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, and beyond in search of farm-direct partnerships. They have many more travels scheduled for this mission.) Right now, more than 35% of the beans consumed by BIGGBY Coffee fanatics are coming directly from these farm-direct partnerships. One BIGG Island in Space is on track to reach 50% farm-direct by 2024. Their goal is to reach 100% farm-direct by 2028. I love that One BIGG Island in Space is all about:
In other words, these partnerships are about finding the right people, who are doing good things for both the planet and their communities. I am deeply grateful for the groundbreaking work being done by One BIGG Island in Space because thanks to their efforts, I can feel good about where my coffee is coming from. And, now I am seeing firsthand that the people who did all the work to get it to me? They are truly empowered by these partnerships! Con luz y amor, (With light and love,) ~ m P.S. The Winter Solstice Yoga event is almost here! Saugatuck Yacht Club: Thursday, December 21 | 6:30 - 8:00 PM. SYC | 15 Park Street | Saugatuck Registration Required | Space permitting 
“The only way we can make the most of our lives is to make the most of our moments.” ~ Cleo Wade Time to Check In
Gain Clarity | Find Flow Hello friends! Last week I wrote about how each one of us contains multitudes. And, whenever possible, we should err on the side of kindness. Deciding whether or not to go to the football game had me reflecting on my own writing. I was an athlete through college. I have coached young children, middle school, high school, and college. I love most sports! Several years ago, I made the decision to no longer watch football. While it’s an unpopular decision in my household and with our families, I have enjoyed my departure from this particular sport, and I have stuck to it. But, when I heard my husband’s enthusiasm over the phone about these tickets?! (His voice sounded like he was a kid in the biggest candy store. 😉) I told him I would talk to Jen and see if she was interested. With zero hesitation, her answer was, “Heck yes! I’m in!” To round out our group of four, Mike suggested we invite our dear family friend, Evan, who is a freshman at Hope College. He is from Park City, Utah, and he can’t wait to get to a game at the Big House. Unfortunately, we were unable to make that happen for him this year, but now we had this unexpected opportunity simply handed to us. So, I took a moment and paused. I needed to get clear within. Three of my favorite people on this Earth were super excited to go to this game. I love a road trip and an adventure. I believe in getting out there and doing things because that’s one way relationships deepen and memories are created. Going to the game would go against my personal code of ethics (whether or not that code holds any logic is an entirely different discussion 🤣) I’d have to let go of several of things I was looking forward to with Jen. I value my sleep, but we would be getting home in the middle of the night after the game. We had a busy Sunday already scheduled, so we’d have to rebound quickly and continue showing up. Of course, you already know what we decided. (Go Blue! 💙) Here’s the thing. In this instance, I felt okay setting aside my self-imposed restrictions. It was worth it in order to take part in this big adventure! And, as with most things in my life, if I decide I’m going to do something, I am ALL in. The important part for me was in the pause. The brief few moments where I checked in with myself. If I said “yes” to this, I wanted to embrace the entire experience. And, I also wanted to show up fully for all the people and events we were committed to on Sunday. Once the “yes” came through, I started creating ways to sprinkle more fun into our excursion. Little details that I enjoy! Great food for our pre-game tailgate. Snacks for the late night drive home. Michigan gear for all of us. I know this example of a decision making process is specific. In the big picture of life, it does not matter whether or not we went to this game. I also fully appreciate that this example may not relate directly to you and your life, at all. But, let’s all zoom out. In the hustle of the holiday season, please gift yourself a moment, however brief, to check in. That moment to pause, and breathe, and connect with your body. I promise, it will help you get clear, find flow, and foster presence. And, be kind to yourself. Yes, being disciplined can be good, but not just for the sake of being rigid and tough on ourselves. With fire and love, ~ m |
AuthorMichelle Shaw: Archives
November 2024
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