Always something to be grateful for

"There is always something to be grateful for..." My friend's words run through my mind, over and over again.

I think back on how much my life has changed in the past year. During this time last year, my friend Corey, from Phoenix came down and had dinner with my family and I. I am very grateful for him...that he cared enough for me to spend a day with me and my family. He was the one who was always there for me when I needed someone the most in those times. I can remember a little over two years ago, when a dear friend nearly died...and how grateful I was and still am, that he survived and is living on in a very meaningful way. I received a post card in the mail this week, and I cried...I thought that this person did not want anything more to do with me after a huge transition took place in my life....I am grateful that you thought of me....(If you are reading this).

I've been through a lot of change in the last year in particular. I began to realize that I was not thinking for myself. I was always seeking the approval of others. My goals in life became deformed, and were not exactly 100 per cent my own. A domino effect of events began to occur, which pulled me out of the place that I was, and (not lightly) sat me into the seat I am in today. I believe that for every person, there is a different path. God, to me, isn't an old man with a white beard who has preference over one denomination or religion than another. God, to me, is the air I breathe, the blood running through my veins, the wind, and the trees, the waters and the skies...God is the whole universe...a part of you, and a part of me...and we are each a part of one another. God is where I have turned since the times have gotten harder, and it teaches me to stay turned to God, even if times are seemingly not so rough.

To see someone as unequal to oneself is damaging...How can we heal this state of the world when we do not feel oneness? It is true, unconditional love for one another that will heal us; World issues cannot be resolved through war...don't you see?

For the past 8 months, I've been so fortunate to be a part of a community which offers itself fully, not only to within the community, but also to the outside...today I attended a free, donation based practice at YogaOasis with Darren Rhodes, where every dollar given would be given to the Community Food Bank. Together, over 400 dollars were donated, and for every dollar, grants that they have will times it by 9...so, today, my community helped give over 4000 dollars to the CFB in order to help those less fortunate than we, eat. The greatest thing I've learned so far in this community is how to love, and how to forgive...not only others, but also myself. There are dark places inside each and every one of us that only need to be tended to, loved, nurtured, and fed...not avoided, ignored, hated, or starved...When you shine a light into a dark room, the darkness cannot help but dissipate...it's a law of the universe...and it is just the same inside of each and every one of us.

I have finally decided to begin teaching yoga. I will begin by offering free classes; by giving the gift of yoga and community. I start next Thursday, at my home, at 6pm...it is official, and I am grateful to have found something that I am 100% passionate about. All I want to do is help people, help people heal, help people love, help people find who they really are...I don't care whether I get payed or not...as long as I can be a light in the lives of others...the same as the lights in my life who have done all the same for me.... <3 Happy Thanksgiving.