Welcome April and with it the feeling of spring and new beginnings (even with that snow yesterday!) I’ve been blessed to be walking exactly that in my life…new beginnings in love with self and others, new beginnings in health and wellness I guess just new beginnings in general. This picture was from a trip to San Francisco a few years ago. Who doesn't find a pair of sparkle Tom wedge shoes a perfect complement to any outfit. Yes, that's a true Jodi style outfit, just like the always non matching socks. Life is grand when we find pleasure and gratitude in the simple things.
Well the day has finally come. Yesterday I stepped back on my yoga mat as a student not a teacher. I was so grateful to share my practice and welcome in April. My heart was on fire, as I worked for 75 minutes mind, body and spirit all a-glow and in flow. I took a break from my mat as a student and a teacher. I needed the break and knew that when the time was right to get back on it that it would present itself. I had no “reason” for the break other then I felt called to rest. We don't often listen when we are called to rest, it brings up beliefs of being lazy, of not being productive, of being unhealthy. Yet, I finally heard my body and listened. The time off has been a bunch of things, many lessons learned. Now, hearing the calling to get back on it, and meeting a kindred soul who presented an opportunity to join him in a class - I knew the stars had aligned and I followed my heart. It was an amazing experience. My body was so aligned and in tune and it felt like I’d never left my mat. To think I'd have initially called myself lazy for respecting the need to "do nothing". I'm so proud of myself for listening and trusting. I truly enjoy those moments. Being in the flow and being the flow. I feel the validation of the trust I put in my gut/intuition when it told me it was “break time”. I didn’t question it and I knew it would tell me when it was time to start again. Such a beautiful dance when we operate from a space of love, kindness and compassion towards ourselves and not in fear, doubt and judgement. Truly the space of being in flow with creator and creation.
Last week’s post left me with questions, which some seem to have been answered. The little signs here and there, new opportunities presenting themselves, so many moments of contentment. Some moments of release and some of sadness. I sat in the space with no answers and welcomed what would come my way without expectation of knowing. I feel like I’ve won some grand prize and I’m so grateful for it all. I look forward to the month of April and what it will bring. The connections, the lessons, the opportunities. I can feel their presence swirling around me and just waiting for the right moment to introduce themselves to me.
Where are you sitting this week? Do you find yourself with your heart open? Ready for spring and its new beginnings? If you take a moment to look back on last week were you gifted some answers, if you had questions that you asked? Did they come in ways that supported you or possibly in ways you didn’t expect? I know mine sure did and I smile as I reflect. So thankful for this journey and the many challenges it can bring. All the little moments that make one's heart smile. Facing some fears and knowing that it's okay to make a different choice this time around. To trust, and go out on a limb and know that you'll be okay regardless of the outcome.
I'm now onto my 11th post! WOW. How exciting for me to be continuing in the flow. I trust that as you finish reading this you find yourself smiling and taking a breath knowing you're exactly where you're supposed to be. This week's swim in the ocean was a delightful one. One filled with rebirth, familiarity, a float going with the flow of the waves, peaceful and supportive. As always sending you so much love and aloha from my heart to yours. I trust you joined me in the calm waters of rebirth. Until next time...Jodi xxoo
Another week is upon us. I didn’t post last night as I was at a meditation. It was a great experience and the energy in the room very intense. I shared a ride home and didn’t have to drive and was caught up in staring at the skies and welcoming in the new moon. The end of March is here, I’m not too sure how that happened but it did as time always does. I’m very grateful for all the moments I’ve experienced in March. The new connections. The challenges to grow, the love, the healing, the joy, the connections. As well the release and letting go of the things that didn’t serve me but were comfortable. I welcomed in the New Moon in a safe space yet one that was unfamiliar and could have been uncomfortable yet it wasn’t. Astrologically speaking (I’m no expert and always learning and growing my astrology mind) with the New Moon in Aries my energies feel recharged. It’s a fresh start and a rebirth and with Venus in retrograde and becoming a morning star again I also feel reflective but able to move forward not stalled. New things need to be explored, taking a fresh new approach to life. That is the dynamic that the month of April will bring with the New Moon in Aries. The seeds have been sown for this month.
I struggled with a topic for the blog this week. So I decided to speak on the energies of the stars and planets. What came from that was some great questions that I’ll take this week to explore. Where is it that I want to go? What do I truly want? What are my desires? What is my mission, my journey? Where is it guiding me? What fears do I have and what ones are holding me back and which ones should I challenge? Who am I really? All of this will also be reflective in the physical and emotional ‘spring cleaning’ that I’m doing. I feel that this will be a week of swimming in the ocean and letting the waters move me and follow their flow.
I’m open to the lessons and the opportunity for learning that will come from the spring cleaning. For challenging the fears and embracing the lessons. I trust that you too will also be in the space to see and feel and value. That you can ask yourself some questions as you sow these new seeds and take a fresh new approach and ask what you really value in yourself. So much love and aloha sent your way. Jodi xxoo
"Only within the void does the truth enter." A line taken from the book Windhorse Woman by Lynn V. Andrews. I've read many quotes on what I call "void space". Nature abhors a vacuum - a quote from Aristotle has always spoken to me about "void space". His meaning has been explained as any empty space must be filled. I sit with both messages resonating deeply within me. Sitting "in the stew" as I've spoke of before is where I feel the truth enters for me. My definition of the "void space". It's in that uncomfortable space where I feel what's meant to be felt. That feeling is often truth. Many times I've caught myself lying to myself. Sometimes just a "little white lie" and other times a big fat one that's almost unbelievable, yet I believe it. In these times that I lie there's a reason for it. Either I'm choosing that I'm not ready to listen to the truth, to let the void space happen. Or I am still learning the lesson and need to continue down a path. The choice I then make is to listen to my gut telling me to "stay the course" even when I know the truth of the situation and want to get out- I want to run. Knowing this lesson is a tough one and I need to stay because I don't want to start over and learn it again. That I know I'm ready but it's scary. It's in those moments the lessons are learned and staying is the answer.
To give an example- the scenario might be that I know someone is lying to me but in order for me to learn I need to continue on with the relationship. Holding space in their presence and in doing so growing myself, being a mirror and seeing into my own mirror. Trusting my gut telling me not to run; that even though this is tough, staying is the answer. Not the easy choice but the one that serves me best. That when the lesson is over I'll innately know and can leave then. I'm not speaking of a scenario where the other parties' lies are harmful in a physical or emotional way. The lies are part of their story and being detached and not "calling them on it" is a practice. Acceptance of where they are at and loving them unconditionally if that's what my gut calls me to do. I know the thought comes up for me "Who am I to judge the space they are in". I can only know where I'm at and be authentic in that. If my gut says stay, then I trust and stay. Knowing that act of staying for me is a valuable one and on the other side of it will be the void space. The truth will come and then the calm emptiness before the space is then filled with the next lesson.
The period just before my birthday was one of these voids. It was a profound one and I entered into my birthday light and so open to accepting the love that was shared with me. I send much love and gratitude for all the kind and loving wishes that you all sent me. Here I sit a week later and I'm still basking in the glow of their light. Knowing things are ebbing and the void has begun to fill once again. I smile knowing I'm ready for the next lesson to come my way. Until it shows itself I'll soak up all the moments, like the waves in the ocean. Moving me along, caressing as they ebb and flow carrying me. Eyes closed I surrender to its beauty and soak up the energy. Thank you for floating alongside me again this week. Happy Vernal Equinox, first day of Spring. May you have planted some beautiful seeds that come to fruition this year. To your moments where there's void space, I hold my hands to my heart and bow my head. Namaste. May it serve you on your journey. Sending so much love and aloha Jodi xxoo