Life in OM

Life in OM: And So This Is Christmas...

 
  
  

This time of year means so many different things to so many people. Maybe it's a time for sharing cheer with your friends or giving something back to those in need.

For me, Christmas has always been about family.

No matter where I have lived over the years, I always make my way home for Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas day with my loved ones.

There have been additions over the years that have added greatly to our lives and there have been gaping holes left by those who have passed on.

Those spaces have been filled with the wonderful memories my grandfather left behind and Christmas is certainly one of the times I feel his presence most strongly.

It's a time to reminisce and find joy in conversation, food and tradition. To sit around the table for hours, eating together dishes that are older than a few of us combined- recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation with love and family in mind.

It's a time to remember and look to the future at the same time. To share happy tears and a feeling of hope. All the while basking in a feeling of contentment in the present moment.  There are not too many times during the year we can share all of those experiences at once.

It's a time to look at those around you with appreciation and cherish the time that you have, share gifts and share ourselves.

At it's most basic, you know that warm, fuzzy feeling you get when you look at that lighted tree or that fireplace with stockings hung above it- yeah that's what Christmas with family feels like.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

What does Christmas mean for you?

Happy Holidays to all!!

 

The Best of 2009 Blog Challenge, Dec 11, "The Best Place" #best09

December 11 The best place. A coffee shop? A pub? A retreat center? A cubicle? A nook?

(The best date ever because it's my birthday today!)

My best place this year was a newly discovered English pub in Kensington called Earl's Court Tavern. Many a night we found ourselves in this warm, cozy pub having a cider and a traditional ploughman's and fish and chips.

It's a beloved memory of England and it felt like my neighborhood. When we were there it meant we were relaxing and taking some time to just enjoy each other's company before we started out on a fresh new day of our vacation.

The Best of 2009 Blog Challenge, Dec 9, "Challenge" #best09

 

December 9  Challenge. Something that really made you grow this year. That made you go to your edge and then some. What made it the best challenge of the year for you?

 

This year has been an extremely turbulent one for me. My fiancee's military orders kept changing from staying in this country to moving abroad what felt like weekly.

I would catch myself hoping one thing would happen and then being bitterly disappointed when the exact opposite occurred, only to have to change again in a month.

Keeping a level head, being objective and calm was very difficult and it was by far my greatest challenge.

I had to learn to let go and not get wrapped up in the future but focus on the present moment. I had to learn to not have expectations but just deal with what happened as it came into my life.

I became much less stressed and upset as I accepted that life is full of change and most of it is completely out of my control. I can only live each moment to the fullest every single day and that is what I intend to do.

The Best of 2009 Blog Challenge, Dec 8 "Moment of Peace", #best09

December 8 Moment of peace. An hour or a day or a week of solitude. What was the quality of your breath? The state of your mind? How did you get there?

 My moment of peace is my daily meditation. As my physical yoga practice has decreased due to injury this year my meditation practice has taken off.

 I light my Tunisian jasmine candle, sit at my makeshift tv table filled with Buddha's, Ganesha, mala beads, stones with  inscriptions of love and peace, and an OM. 

 It's a place where I let go of everything and find a sense of stillness. The warmth, the smell of the candle focuses me. I close my eyes and relax into my breath. If I'm feeling anxious or stressed I start with some alternate nostril breathing, mental or physical.

Once I feel the tension leave my body I move back to my regular breathing.

I set my timer for at least 10 minutes but I revel in the times I can sit for 20 or 30. If I'm in a bad mood it leaves me, stressed I find calm, distracted I am able to refocus.

I literally crave these moments of peace and I savor every second.

The Best of 2009 Blog Challenge, #best09

I stumbled across this fabulous blog challenge and thought it would be a great way to look back on my year and see all I've done. It's been an amazing year for me so I am looking forward to doing this. If you are interested in doing this challenge please click on the photo above, it will take you directly to Gwen Bell's blog.

It started on Dec 1, so I am a few days behind but I am going to play catch up with this post.

December 1 Trip. What was your best trip in 2009?

My two week trip to England and France in October was best with Las Vegas and New York a close runner’s up.

December 2 Restaurant moment. Share the best restaurant experience you had this year. Who was there? What made it amazing? What taste stands out in your mind?

It’s a tie between a restaurant in Paris, France and a restaurant at Paris, Las Vegas. In May,  I had a delightful French meal with my boyfriend at the Eiffel Tower restaurant in Las Vegas. It was so different because our seats faced each other and out the window so we could watch the Bellagio fountains at night. In Paris, after I got engaged at the Eiffel Tower I had my first meal with my fiancée at a small French restaurant on a quiet street off the Champs Elysees. Both were unforgettable.

December 3 Article. What's an article that you read that blew you away? That you shared with all your friends. That you Delicious'd and reference throughout the year.

What comes to mind is that story that was super popular this year of the two young men who raised a lion and once he was too big to handle they released it to a reservation in Africa. When they went back to see the lion years later he recognized them both with hugs and kisses. I have quite a soft spot for animals and it proved that love goes a long way and is not easily forgotten – one of the many reasons why I personally am a vegetarian.

December 4 Book. What book - fiction or non - touched you? Where were you when you read it? Have you bought and given away multiple copies?

Pema Chodren, Comfortable With Uncertainty. Everyone should own a copy. Pema speaks to your soul in simple and logical ways that just make sense. She holds amazing wisdom.

December 5 Night out. Did you have a night out with friends or a loved one that rocked your world? Who was there? What was the highlight of the night?

There's been so many of these this year but it had to be the night I got engaged at the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It was just magic and I am so lucky to have met a wonderful man who would do all of that for me.

December 6 Workshop or conference. Was there a conference or workshop you attended that was especially beneficial? Where was it? What did you learn?

Sadie Nardini is a NY yoga teacher I was introduced to earlier this year. She wrote a book and accompanying workshop called Road Trip Guide to the Soul. She's very real and down to earth. Her book is very useful for someone who is trying to figure out which direction to take their life and follow their passion

December 7 Blog find of the year. That gem of a blog you can't believe you didn't know about until this year.

This is probably not the normal response but my blog find of the year was my own. I started writing this blog on wellness, yoga and everyday wisdom. I've been pleased with the positive response I have gotten with it so far and I am looking forward to growing it over the next year.

Life in OM: Random Goodness

This has been a manic week so I am taking a moment to savor the good things in my life:

Red Velvet Cheesecake at Magnolia Bakery in NYC. (I will be back Dec 12!!)

A long lazy stroll in the sunshine with my honey - whether it's from the Arc du Triomphe to the Louvre in Paris or around Dupont Circle.

Having my Mom and her hubby support me and my fiancée during an excruciating Marine Corps Marathon.

Catching a glimpse of my Gramp's glasses and remembering exactly how he used to greet me in them, right down to his voice.

Doing sun salutations in the quiet of my new yoga room.

Laying in bed at night listening to my  beloved dog and fiancée snore away.

Anticipating a wonderful Christmas with my whole family.

Watching the first snowflakes fall.

Seeing my sweet yellow lab with snow all over his nose.

Reading on the couch, fire going and Christmas tree lit.

Yummy Sunday Dinner.