Every End Is a Beginning

"Every end is a beginning." Tai Gong Diao, taoist sage

"The relationship between yin and yang produces a circular evolution in which every end is a beginning." Everything is constantly in the process of becoming its opposite: day into night, young into old, life into death.

In yoga class we were reflecting on the transformation of the seasons, of winter into spring. The strength of the sun is returning. We can feel a shift in energy. This is a joyful change for most of us. But even in the more difficult changes, such as happiness into sadness, one can find acceptance because eventually that sadness will pass once again into happiness. We can accept endings because they are also beginnings. Allow life to ebb and flow.

As the month of February ends, March begins. What is ending and what is beginning in your life?

Winter Blahs to Bliss

Now that the winter has established a firm toehold, I was even happier that I had registered for a yoga workshop called The Art of Blissful Being: Transforming Winter Blahs to Peace Filled Aahhs!

Two hours of deep breathing, relaxation, stretching and gentle yoga poses and there was a whole lot more bliss in the room than when we arrived this afternoon with our yoga mats rolled up under our arms. One of the suggestions that Monica, our instructor, had for us was to write down 5 things that we are grateful for, every day, for the next 40 days. She even supplied the cutest pudgy notebooks to record our gratitude in.

Here are my first 5 things:

1. a husband who cooks (delicious meals I might add)

2. a warm cozy house despite the cold temperatures outside

3. inspiration for creative projects that bring me joy

4. my digital camera that makes taking photographs so convenient

5. an endless variety of foods at the grocery store even in the winter months.