Mark your Territory

How do you leave your mark?

I believe that the importance in life is rooted in the relationships we develop. The most important relationship is the one we have with our Self. As the great Louise Hay once said, "You will be in a relationship with YOU longer than anyone else on the planet." This is a very strong statement reminding us that every choice we make, will impact us (you) greater than anyone else. That being said, I ask you to become really aware of how you treat yourself. Try to catch every compliment and criticism you give yourself daily. Don't judge it, just be aware. Once you become conscious of how you treat yourself, you can begin building a loving, accepting relationship with YOU. Become your biggest fan! Heck if you don't think you're extraordinary, how will anyone else think you are?!Leave your mark! Befriend every mirror you spot. Walk up to your reflection and say, "Hey You! I love you! You rock. Keep up the extraordinary work!" Put love everywhere. Love, by the way, is contagious. The only issue is that most people don't believe in sharing it. Well "sharing is caring" and nothing in this lifetime is more desirable than being loved. But it has to start with YOU. Dust off that pocket mirror from the bottom of your purse and start spreading the love. You're EXTRAORDINARY and capable of manifesting everything you put effort into. Don't believe anyone that tells you otherwise, because honestly, there's no room for two in the relationship with YOU. 

Give Kind

Keep

Initiating

Nice

Deeds

 

"Only an act that's loving & kind,

gets recognized beyond the mind"

- ME

 

Like Mother, Like Daughter

As a parent, you hear that expression all the time! In my case, I hear it especially when I'm commenting on my daughter's high energy, her fascination with strangers, and her eagerness to "interview" anyone who makes eye contact with her. She may be as outgoing and talkative as I am, but she has key qualities that I've always wished for - fearlessness and persistence.
Growing up, I was the kid voted to one day run the country. I appeared to be confident, courageous, and persistent. Lesson #1: Don't judge a book by its cover. Confident - though I was always outspoken, I was only cocky within my comfort zone. Courageous - the closest I ever came to a roller coaster ride was standing beside the cotton candy booth. Persistent - that was selective. When it came to expanding my shoe collection - I never gave up! Math assignments, on the other hand, were easy to abandon. So seeing that Chloe (my 4 yr. old), doesn't give up easily and won't bow out to any foreign experience makes me very proud.
As parents, our responsibilities go way beyond the supplying of basic needs to our children. We're their mentors for life, which means our actions and reactions are of considerable influence. When Chloe repeats a word/statement I once blared out in a high octane moment, I feel awful. I'm accountable for her behaviour pretty much until she enters adulthood. It's my belief that our children are deeply effected by our emotional behaviour. So whenever I don't communicate with my child from a place of pure love, I suck! It's very cute to see her physically mimic me through yoga, but it isn't so cute to see her mimic me when I'm emotionally disconnected from my best Self. How do we provide our children with our best Self? Well, I breathe! Right before I'm about to verbally explode, I TRY to stop, breathe, and breathe some more. On an 80/20 scale, it alters my delivery.
As we coast through life in high stress mode, it's so easy to lose our patience. As I share my parental challenges to be better, I'm sure I'm not alone. I'm sure most parents struggle with the desire to be more patient, more tolerant, more understanding with their children - whether they're toddlers or teens.
This post is to remind all parents that as long as we're doing the best we know how, then we're good. It's also a reminder that our children look up to us therefore every act of kindness, every hug we give, every interest we show, goes all long way.

I'm Possible

"Nothing is Impossible. The word itself says 'I'm Possible'.

- Audrey Hepburn

 

The only thing standing between the possible and the impossible is fear. Fear is mental manifestation nestled in our thoughts. Our thoughts become our beliefs, hence the expression, "You are what you think". So if you want to believe in the 'I'm Possible' factor, you need to change your thoughts. Stop proving what you can't do and start improving what you really want to do. If you've always wanted to flip your body upside down, while balancing on your hands, but are scared you'll fall - set up a crash pad! Remember the most successful people didn't achieve greatness on their first attempt (even Steve Jobs failed a few times before getting it right). Live out your "I'm Possible" desires one small step at a time. After all, it's the journey that means the most, so move slowly, diligently, with caution, not fear. Let your heart lead the way (like in Bakasana pose above) and all good things will fall into place.

Tribute to Teachers

Astavakrasana/Eight-Angle pose

In school, they're called 'teachers', in the corporate world, they're called 'mentors', and in the yoga community, they're called 'gurus'. No matter how we choose to label them, their impact is immeasurable.
Take my 3rd grade teacher, Miss Rita Laberee, for instance. She had such an impact on my life that I remained in contact with her throughout high school. Then in 1999, I was privileged to work closely with Diesel Canada President, Lou Adler. And at my first yoga conference, I was forever enlightened by Seane Corn.
As an average student, I preferred the teachers who believed in me, rather than those who compared me to my academically gifted older sister. Throughout my career in fashion, I appreciated the bosses that accepted my mistakes because they were inspired by my passion. And in all the yoga classes I've ever taken, I'm continuously inspired by the teachers who remain authentic and don't take themselves too seriously (ever if their clients include celebs)!
While on the hunt for a yogic awakening during my vacation in Miami, I discovered there was a Jivamukti class (a rare find) at one of the studios. I booked my babysitters and made sure to attend the class. With only me and the studio owner as students that morning, I felt so grateful for the intimate session. As the teacher, Ganapati, guided us in Astavakrasana pose (PS - this was not a pose I was able to do yet), I struggled to get my legs parallel to the floor - actually I could barely get my feet off the floor, let alone straighten my legs! With a compassionate look, he encouraged me to keep practicing.
A week later, he was back on the class schedule, so I made sure to return. Once again, we were only two students and once again he guided us in Astavakrasana pose. He carefully studied my actions, as I was determined to balance in the pose for a few breaths. "Hug your tricep with your left leg, cross your right foot over the left, lean your torso forward, and at the same time, lift your butt back, extend your legs out to the left and squeeze your thighs....and keep breathing!" That was it! The eager student within me showed up with confidence and persistence. But it was Ganapati's clear instructions and encouragement that made it all possible.
You never forget the A-HA moments in your life when you go beyond your expectations. You also never forget the teachers, mentors, and gurus that supported your growth with compassionate guidance. To every teacher who comforted me when I felt discouraged, all the while championing my aspirations and restoring my confidence - I'm eternally grateful. To Ganapati (who until two weeks ago was a complete stranger), thank you for cheering me on while I experienced another unforgettable A-HA yoga pose. As September begins, with back to school, I'm reminded of all the teachers who constantly show up to make a lasting difference - THANK YOU.