Sweet Celebration

One of the VERY Best ♥️

This past weekend we celebrated my Dad’s 84th birthday! 🎉

The top photo was taken during my parents’ recent visit to Sleeping Bear Dunes. I grew up going to Crystal Lake for one week, every summer. I loved the change of pace for my family during vacation, and I still love the traditions we built there over the years. “Up North” has a VERY special place in our hearts.

During our birthday celebration, my Dad modeled his new Hope Gear. Dad’s ready for Game Day no matter if it’s soccer, volleyball, or basketball. 💙🧡

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“When we start to see the invisible gifts embedded in so many facets of our lives,
we can’t help but pour it forward,
​and that spirit of service becomes a natural expression of grateful living.”​

~ Audrey Lin

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Hi friends!

September in West Michigan was stunning! Blue sky, sunny days, cooler nights . . . my kind of weather! As we turn the page into October, I hope this loveliness stretches on and on and on. Oh, and we could use some rain. ☺️

Speaking of stretching, I have been feeling stretched a little too thin lately. It’s undeniable that there’s a lot going on in my world, and in THE world, so today I want to take a minute and remind us of the power of rest. 

When I start to feel a little ragged, or rough, or weary, my patterning can take me into some places I don’t feel great about. I’m less patient. More easily frustrated. I feel a real desire to withdraw. 

And maybe that last one can be the gentle nudge I need. 

I don’t need to withdraw completely, but I can gift my body and my being an opportunity to rest and reset. Maybe I feel I don’t have “time” to rest, and yet I know that time spent in constructed relaxation will pay dividends. 🙌🏽

In yoga, you may think of Savasana as something we only do at the end of a class. But, Savasana is a powerful tool for our nervous system ANY time of day! 

I love how Lizzie Lasater talks about It: 

“Savasana is one of the most powerful tools I know for nervous system management.
You lie down.
You cover up.
You take your physical comfort seriously.
You remember what safety feels like.
You notice the urge to fix and plan.
You smile at your spinning mind.
You soften.”

Yep! I need more of that.
And, why do I resist gifting myself that? 🤔

Hmmmmmm. That may be a discussion for another day. 😉

So, if you’re feeling run down, stretched thin, amped up, exhausted by it all, or just a little worn out . . . why not give Savasana a try? 

I can’t wait to put on my eye shade and get underneath my blanket. 🥰

Full of heart light and love,
~m