Did you see the sunrise?

Did you see the sunrise this morning? It was very pretty. A lovely pinkish orange pastel sunrise with a few long medium blue/grey clouds stretching across the horizon. The colors were a lovely background for the outlined trees on the hilltops as I drove into town this morning. Once the sun peeked over the horizon, the brilliance of the sun reflected off the sides of the buildings and bridges as I drove along the freeway creating an illusion of warmth - creating hope for a sunny day.

Now - the sunrise today was NOTHING compared to the sunrise we had last week. That was a sunrise. Flaming reds, bright oranges, and dark fuschia pinks covered the horizon and spread half way up the sky until the colors turned to brilliant shades of lavender and blue. As the sun rose, the colors shifted and changed - a beautiful piece of living art that will never be recreated - ever again. The outlined trees on the hilltops looked like a painter's dream with a drama of color in the sky behind them. It was a sunrise that made you stare. A sunrise you call you daughter about and say, "I ordered that special for you." A kind of sunrise you go back into the house to tell your Mom that she should step outside and look at the sunrise. It was spectacular.

Usually though, we get sunrises like we had this morning. Pretty. Pastel. Hopeful and restful. Today is just a Tuesday. Did you see the sunrise?

Winter mornings in the country

The wind is gusting outside. It is dark and cold. The windows of the chicken houses glow from the red warming lights. Tree branches wave in front of the chicken houses confirming the sound of the wind.

Inside, the antique wood stove has warmed the front room to 74 degrees. The kitties are happy to lay on the quilt on my lap as I read a book about Alaska. The first pot of coffee is almost gone. I have another hour to read before my husband wakes - so I can finish this pot of coffee and have a fresh pot for us after the sun rises.

Winter in the country. A time to rest. A time to look at the seed catalogues as they arrive in the mailbox. A time to reflect on what is good and what is not. A time to make plans. Time. Winter. Cold. Wind. Rest.

Happy Valentine's Day

I woke up early this morning thinking about my friends on Valentine's Day. New friends, old friends that I don't see anymore-but think about often, friends who moved to other states-but we still stay in touch via cell phone and e-mail, my husband, my sisters, my Mom, my aunt, golf friends, yoga friends, high school friends, college friends, a friend who lost her Mom this year, previous co-workers, new co-workers and then there are the friends who fit in multiple categories...they are truly special.

I have friends (OK - 1 friend) who knows me well enough to tell me when I'm being stupid and then there are my friends who teach me in more subtle ways.

I have my new yoga friends (students in my classes) who are becoming my friends. I know some of them by name, I know others more deeply, and there are those who are yet to be developed as friends. They are teaching me to be a better teacher and they have no idea how much they mean to me. There are many nights when I would rather go home and collapse after a long day at work but I go - I teach - and I walk away feeling like a Queen because I get hugs, I get thank you's, I get "I liked the music tonight," I get questions, I get feedback. I get so much as I receive the many positive vibrations.

I am so blessed to be surrounded by people who are talented, bright, intelligent, and who like me. That is the part that woke me up early and made me think of the riches in my life. What an incredible place we live in where people are brought together who enrich our lives by becoming a friend. I have a new friend who might say that I sent this request out into the universe, and this is my gift. Wow - what a fabulous universe.

I believe that my friends are a result of my philosophy that for every action there is an equal re-action. My intention is to be a positive link in the chain link effect - to honor and respect others so people feel good about themselves and can pass that feeling on to the people in their lives. The chain link effect can also be negative and is easier to explain. Example: If I am mean or rude to "Person A" during the day, Person A will probably get mad and bring that frustration to people in his/her life that day. In a chain-link effect, Person A's frustration will trickle down to others (Person B's) and Person B's likewise will trickle down to Person C's, etc, etc, etc.

While I don't believe that I am the cause and effect of all of the negativity in our world, I do feel that the chain link effect of negativity is portrayed on the news stories about the violence in our world. Wouldn't it be easier (and better) to treat each other with respect and honor so that the chain link effect goes up in a positive way instead of affecting each other negatively?

But I have digressed and I need to start my day - so I close by thanking all of you who are my friends. Happy Valentine's Day.

Wisdom in Small Bits

How odd it is to be writing for the public. This has been my dream for all of my lifetime. In 1979 this would not have been possible - yet here I am in 2008 - behind the times because this is my first blog. Yet - I have done it and now I have to go to the gym. There are only so many minutes in the day and this is my time to take care of my body. See you later.