Yummy – practice that is! I actually slept through the night last night and it was glorious. I woke up feeling a thousand times better than I’ve felt in days and happily began my morning pre-practice rituals. I’ll tell you life sure does seem so much sweeter when you begin to feel better after a yucky tummy bug…Spending several days being ill, feeling tired, worn out, and unable to do much of anything can really bring me down – but when the sickness starts to dissipate, I feel like a million bucks, and have a much greater appreciation for all the little things!

Maureen and I walked to the shala together this morning, which was quite a treat. However, once we got there she realized she couldn’t stay for practice as she’s not feeling well – she spent all day resting and feeling yucky right next to me yesterday – she has some nasty sinus issues – I felt really badly for her as she rolled her mat back up and headed back home – really hope she starts to feel better soon.

While practice was rather challenging physically because my body feels weak, I enjoyed it nonetheless. The energy in the room was soothing, and Saraswati’s voice was so calming. I’d say today was a practice – not a fantastic one, but one for which I am grateful to have had.
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Three passions have governed my life: The longings for love, the search for knowledge, And unbearable pity for the suffering of [humankind].

Love brings ecstasy and relieves loneliness. In the union of love I have seen In a mystic miniature the prefiguring vision Of the heavens that saints and poets have imagined.

With equal passion I have sought knowledge. I have wished to understand the hearts of [people]. I have wished to know why the stars shine.

Love and knowledge led upwards to the heavens, But always pity brought me back to earth; Cries of pain reverberated in my heart Of children in famine, of victims tortured And of old people left helpless. I long to alleviate the evil, but I cannot, And I too suffer.

This has been my life; I found it worth living.

-Bertrand Russell

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Yesterday I received some very sad news – a friend of mine that I grew up with very recently lost her boyfriend. He was quite young with a whole life ahead of him. I cried when I found out, Nicole loved this guy so much and they had such grand life plans. It couldn’t have happened to a less deserving person either – for Nicole’s brother lost his very young wife only two years ago – as she has helped him get through the feelings of loss, anger, frustration, and all else that comes with grieving, now he will be able to help her do the same. I will be going home to visit my family over Christmas and I really look forward to seeing her then – catching up on the years that have passed since we last hung out and giving her the biggest hug ever! I love you lady!