What can I learn from this?

I'm going to start by saying I'm not a blogger.  Well, I suppose after this post I will be a blogger, but prior to this I have not been a blogger.  :)  However, being a Yoga teacher/Yoga studio owner/Reiki Master I figure it might be a good idea to share some of my thoughts, teachings, etc. here.  I guess the cool thing is I can type my thoughts and you can read it....or not.....it doesn't really matter.  What does matter is it will get my creative juices flowing and will make me a better Yoga teacher.  Win win I think!  :)

My teacher, Cathy, taught me that there is a lesson in everything.  Many conversations I had with her always lead to the question, "and what do you think you can learn from this?"  When she used to say it I loved and hated it all at the same time.  I knew it was coming, that's why I chose to talk to her, but at the same time when she said it, it made me crazy because I would have to think!  I would have to dig deep.  But, after a while, I started saying it to myself.  

So, my first blog thought.  You really don't know how much you love something until it's out of reach.  I know, we've all heard it a million times, but I experienced it this week with salad.  Yes, salad.  Seems like a silly thing right?  But I love salad and until this week I didn't realize how much.  

I've been working really hard to eat very clean lately.  Lots of fruits and veggies, most from my local CSA, and lean protein in small portions.  I've done really well.  I feel amazing and lost some extra pounds, yay and yay.  So, when I went to Punta Cana for my cousin's wedding I decided I was going to try, as much as possible, to continue that trend.  To that end my first full day there I had a BIG salad off the salad bar.  And then I was still hungry so I got another plate of salad.  Well my friends, without going into graphic detail, after spending the next two days dealing with a VERY bad stomach, my mother says to me, "Oh, you should never eat raw veggies in a place like this." Thanks mom....day late.....dollar short.  However, the next five days were spent salad-less.  And I began to crave it, and by my last day there I was so excited to get home JUST so I could have a salad! 

I got up this morning (I got home late last night) and started my day with over easy eggs on a bed of fresh spinach.  For snack I munched on celery with salsa.  For lunch a big big salad.   And it was all delicious!!!!  Crunchy, juicy, flavorful.  I'm in fresh veggies heaven.  Now I'm planning dinner and you know it will include some sort of raw veggie!  And, I will never again take for granted how much I love salad, especially made from my fresh CSA veggies. 

So.......in conclusion.....what can I learn from this......be mindful of what I have and don't take any of it for granted.  From now on when I sit down with my salad I'll eat it mindfully, savoring each and every bite.  When my grown daughter comes up and randomly hugs me, I will close my eyes and enjoy it as long as she holds on.  When I kiss my husband goodbye before work I will not be hasty but rather stop and do so with appreciation for all that he is.  You get the idea, right?  You just never know when you won't be able to have a salad.  :)

Oh yeah, the other thing I learned......don't eat salad in Punta Cana!!!!!

Peace, Love & Happiness

Discover the Wonders Yoga
155 Broadway Road
Dracut, MA