31 Days in May!

We've reached the end of May... the final day of my writing challenge!

Looking back I didn't do too poorly with it.  I actually surprised myself a little.  I only missed about eight days, so I guess I achieved somewhere around 75% of perfection!  More importantly, what this month has encouraged me to do is keep up with writing more frequently, which is a delightful consequence of challenging myself to write every day for the month of May.

I have received some wonderful feedback over that past 30 days, and I'm so grateful to know that some of my experiences, which were translated into words, have touched your hearts or lifted your spirits in some way.  So thank you for your support.  It really helped me through this month and motivated me to keep going.

We are in Ontario right now, somewhere north of Toronto sitting in a cabin over looking a lake.  It pretty much took us two full days (minus an overnight rest) to get here, but after a full night's sleep and a little time to take in the view, it sure was worth it!  This is a beautiful setting.  I'm feeling very Canadian sitting here writing, overlooking our natural landscape, and feeling the peacefulness of being completely immersed in nature, while listing to the morning birds sing and taking a deep breath of fresh, clean air.

We are here with Jeff's family, his two brothers, sister-in-law, their kids and of course his parents, as we're here to celebrate his parent's 50th wedding anniversary.  Now... 50 years - that's something to celebrate! 

Thus, in the middle of this vast and expansive scenery, we find ourselves in the midst of three generations; and it comes to mind that if our parents represent the past, and our children represent the future, then here we are in the balance of the two, weighing what has come before us, while trying to manage and shape what is yet to be.  We are the present.  It seems this is the key to everything:  AWARENESS of the PRESENT MOMENT.

As the month closes, I find myself contemplating time.  Time is slippery thing.  Forever moving.  Always elusive.  It is uncatchable; except perhaps, in those still quiet moments when we are able to sit in the seat of our own inner soul, and fully immerse ourselves in the present, when we become one with time per se, without thinking, analyzing, or judging - a moment of pure active observation: YOGA.

Life can feel overly full at times; but we are blessed with this unique opportunity to be on this planet, at this exact time in history, conscious beings, alive, awaking up more each moment.  I encourage you to make time in your day to seize those fleeting occurrences of calm, and remind yourself it is truly a gift to be alive!  

As Guruji would continually bring to our attention: "you are given, maybe, one hundred years, don't waste your time!" 

Love for Moms

In India your Mother is your first Guru.  Mothers are honoured and given the highest respect.  It is incredible to experience the transformation from woman to mother in the land of India, as your status in society is immediately elevated with the birth of your first child.

Motherhood is a privilege reserved exclusively for women, and the ability to nurture and bring forth new life is a manifestation of Shakti (divine power) and is thought to be a great gift inherent in the female form.

I adore the way becoming a Mother is esteemed in India.  Culturally, I don't think we have the same reverence for our Mothers here.  I think many women feel becoming a mother will ruin their independence and depress their lifestyle.  We don't tend look at Mothers with the same eyes of admiration and respect, and instead many women are made to feel marginalized and no longer desirable after they have children.

However, Mother's Day is definitely an exception to the norm.  This is one day where we collectively stop and take the time to appreciate and honour our Mothers.  We give thanks for all the sacrifices they made, all of the organizing, driving, cooking, cleaning, volunteering, loving, and nurturing.  We make an intentional gesture to show our deep love and gratitude for their steadfast patience and endless hours of devotion to us over so many years.  No matter how old we are, to our Mother we will always be a small child, and she will love us as much as she did on the day we were born, and probably much more.

So today I am going to thank my Mother for being my first home, my arms refuge, and constant defender.  Thank you for your endless hours of time and energy you poured into all of my hopes and dreams over the years.  Thank you for sacrificing your own needs and desires to answer my every wish and prayer.

Thank you for always seeing the good in me, even when it was covered in a cloud of darkness, and for always giving me the best advice, even when I didn't ask for it.  I know we might not always see the world the same way, and that I don't always remember to say "thank you" or "I love you" but you are my first Guru and teacher and I am ever grateful for your presence and guidance in my life.

Now that I am a Mother myself, I can appreciate your dedication and devotion to your family so much more, and your generous heart and unconditional love is a daily inspiration for me in my own journey through Motherhood.

I Love You Mom.  Happy Mother's Day!