YOGA BEAUTY WELLNESS

HOW often are we in a state of longing for something that seems to allude us? maybe it's losing weight or finding love. maybe it's a promotion or beginning a new business venture. whatever it is, there it is — somewhere beyond you. within your grasp but exceeding your reach. for the past few years, i've longed for a relationship. i felt i deserved that. as beautiful as a human being as i am inside, i know that beauty radiates without. however, no one seemed to honor my shine enough to want to have it in their life, romantically, of course. the fault had to lie with me, right? i constantly interrogated myself, asking what am i doing wrong... why hasn't he came... what is my single self suppose to learn that my relationship self cannot... my longing caused a great sense of anxiety and lack. i felt less whole and more unwanted. although i am surrounded by the love of those closest to me, not having the love i felt i needed and the love that needed me made me suffer...

SUNDAY is my favorite day of the week, hands down. it is a sabbath of sorts, and for me a day of reverence for GOD and for the beauty of my life. as a part of my sunday celebration, i often take a long, hot lavender bath while reading Rumi under candlelight. this is a spiritual practice for me. the eternal words of Rumi connects me in ways that only poetry can. so with that being said, i'm elated to share the poetry that speaks to me from the heart of this wise sage and Sufi mystic. "Disciplines" (from Coleman Barks RUMI Bridge to the Soul: Journeys into the Music and Silence of the Heart) do not expect to be always happy on this way. you have been caught by a lion, my dear. the friend dumps plaster on your head. think of it as expensive perfume. inside you there is a monster that must be tied up and whipped. watch the man beating a rug. he is not mad at it. he wants to loosen the layers of dirt. ego accumulations are not loosened with one swat. conti...

GRATITUDE is the governing attitude of my life. no matter what happens, i stay in a constant state of giving thanks. i know that whatever i'm going through could easily be worse and that all things happen to teach us something — accept the lesson, experience growth. reject the lesson and you will stay stuck, of this i am sure. with thanksgiving being two days away, everyone is in conversation about what they're most thankful for. while my list is quite extensive and ranges from my love for my family and friends to the extensive book collection i own, i want to talk about the single most important thing i'm giving thanks for this thanksgiving. this thing has been a constant source of strength and inspiration. it has been the foundation of my peace, joy, and the love i give to myself and to others. it is the wealth of my life and my connection to all that is and will ever be. i am talking about my spirituality. spirituality is about being open and connected to spirit....

those who know me best, know the intimacy that words and i share. i am a poet, through and through. what frightens me more than anything though, is that i believe i'll never be able to love anyone like i love writing. that may come from me understanding that words will never leave me—they are faithful. here's a poem i wrote recently...  untitled  let this love be poetic, like nothing i've known before.  let the alliteration abide as assuring as the autumn air.  let this love be meaningful,  connotation and denotation wise.  may it be complex enough to be beautiful,  yet simple enough to be understood.  let it be all that i ever thought love was  and more of discovering what i never  dreamed it to be.  like falling rain, let it be  cleansing, nourishing, sustaining,  and for my growth.  let it be true and ethereal.  let it be sure and eternal.  may it heal the cosmic parts of me  that were abused in ...

the love of love  as a single individual, i understand the hype and organic beauty of relationships. one of the great truths of life is everybody wants to be loved, valued, appreciated, and held by their beloved. relationships offer a chance to get to know someone, and at the same time, an opportunity to build something meaningful together. this is the ideal. however, i don't want to talk about romantic love perse. i want to discuss the foundation upon which that love is built-- the love of self. what does it mean to love yourself? does that love come naturally or is it cultivated? if you were to ask someone if they love themselves, the obvious answer would be "yes, of couse." but is that the truth? in my solitude, i have learned how to fully embrace myself lovingly and without critique. this is difficult and it is definitly a work in progress, but worth every effort. all sustainable love is like that. it must be cared for and attended to. our first lov...

sunday , i began a six-week journey into learning insight meditation at the beautiful and tranquil dojo of bebe wolfe. although i've had some meditation instruction from my mentor william green, i have never been as consistent with the practice as i would like. you see, meditating is spiritual work. you must be wholly dedicated to it in order to reap the rewarding results. a daily practice is absolutely essential. as a person who is deeply interested in the spiritual, i believe that meditation is a fundamental tool to discover some sense of clarity and balance. with all the trappings of technology, our daily, never-ending to do list, and our chaotic, obsessive thinking, we must find quiet. it is in this stillness that we gain the repose necessary to stay in the present moment and live fully in the now. insight meditation allows you to you to become more intimate with your breathe, and thus your life, through sitting and walking mediation. although it is based upon buddhis...

beloved, i am only eternal within your arms for it is there that i feel god. doubt turns to faith. fear recedes into confidence. your love is my sanctuary giving rise to spirituality long forgotten. your love is my solace i weep for the beauty of it. deepness unbeknownst to me until i looked into your soul. there a mirror showed me how worthy i was of a love as divine as this. storm clouds gathering. rain drops falling gently now. i need shelter your love is that for me. ground shaking fiercely from the ecstasy we create. our kingdom come your love is that for me. no where to hide. your love strips me nude. skin glittering in your sunshine wholly sinful. your love is that for me. nirvana. after-life. reincarnate. heaven. hell. truth. the end. revelation. your love. is that. for me.