Namaste. And so it is. Choice.  I've been pondering choices lately. I am not so much interested in sharing the types of choices in this space. I am more interested in sharing a concept: choice is life.

What do I mean? Well, consider it. Aren't our choices, both the small ones and the big ones, what make up the fabric of our life?
Whether we did or didn't want something to happen, we are still in a position to choose. We may choose what to "do" next. We may choose what "not" to do next. Or perhaps we may choose being over doing. Meaning, we choose to be peace, positive, possibility...and allow our being to inform our doing.

When we are rooted in being infinite peace and love, we are clear and confident in our choice, no matter what we choose. These are the choices that are life affirming and life altering. Choice is life.

If you have not yet seen the movie "The Choice" I suggest watching. It captures the power of our choices and how they impact our life so beautifully. A love story, no doubt...based on a book by Nicholas Sparks. The story plays out based on choices made as well as those not made...

Today during yoga I was reminded again that not choosing is also a choice, and a very powerful one. Not choosing happens in 2 ways.
The first way is by making a conscious decision not to choose. The second way is by being unaware of what we are not aware of and having habitual patterns/ways of being choose for us.
​Think of it as sleepwalking through life or allowing other peoples expectations to control us.
Notice if you are falling into judgment or blame after reading this. Exhale and see it for what it is. Learning. Choice is life. All experience is an opportunity to awaken so we may choose differently.

My prayer is that we continue to expand our awareness with practices like yoga and meditation and also by having friends and mentors who lovingly hold up the mirror for us. 
As we expand our awareness to include all of our choices, may we have the courage to choose the options before us that are life affirming. May we choose the options that help us become the best version of our self.

May we create a life filled with so much peace, love, joy, and gratitude that it overflows to all who cross our path.  

Choice is Life. Our Choice is Our Life.

Namaste, 
Stephanie

Finding Our Way, by Stephanie
In the next few weeks, many of us will experience "transitions" as we head back to school, back to work, back to life…back to "reality".

In addition to this time of transition and change, many of us are feeling the heightened energy around us. It's real. For some, it's really hard to ignore and/or overcome.

During these times of transition and heightened energy sometimes we lose our way. We may be riding the roller coaster of feelings: depressed, overwhelmed, tired, confused, afraid...anything but relaxed!

How do we Find Our Way?
By returning to emotional balance...equanimity.
As I talk about in Chapter Two of my book Reclaiming JOY, the emotional roller coaster is not sustainable and keeps us stuck. We react and often cause more turmoil.
This simple practice, called BRFWA, brings us back to a relaxed state where our emotions are in balance.
From this place of emotional balance or equanimity, we are able to ride the emotional wave without drowning in it. In equanimity we find our way back to peace and clarity. Once clear, we are able to take action that keeps us on the path of peace.

BRFWA Explained: 

Breathe: As a wave of emotion comes over you, slow down your breath. Allow your breath to flow freely in and out. 

Relax: As you slow down your breath, your mind and body will begin to relax. Soften your muscles, let go of mental and physical tension.

Feel: As you relax, you are able to soften into what you are feeling. Stay open to the sensations and emotions moving through you in this moment.

Watch: While feeling, you watch your experience closely, neither grasping what is pleasant nor pushing away what is painful.

Allow: As you watch, you allow the process to unfold. You accept yourself and your experience exactly as it is, dropping the need to change it in any way.  

BRWFA is the practice of being present. Being present is what we learn during meditation. 
Looking for more support? Consider cultivating an on-going meditation practice.
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WHAT IF YOU...by Stephanie

On Thanksgiving I shared this on Facebook. I feel it's something to be reminded of daily...
My wish is that YOU take a moment to be grateful for yourself--for who you are-- and the small steps you take everyday to get up and move forward, no matter what circumstances you face.

Think kindly upon yourself. Everyday upon rising fill your mind with thoughts of gratitude, grace, compassion, self-love. Our thoughts do become our life.

This said, I am reminded of a passage from page 43 of my book, Reclaiming Joy:
"At our core we are light, not dark. While we may have shadow aspects of ourselves that we consider to be dark, this is NOT who we are. As we stay committed to reclaiming joy...to allowing ourselves to be who we are, we realize the light is always there. The light patiently waits for us to stop, look, and listen- to stop driving and start thriving. The light is what pulls us forward. The light is what illuminates the dark. And, yes, we do need both. We would not "know" one without the other. My friends, it is in the space of acceptance where we transform our perspective and therefore our thoughts of darkness into light."

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