We Need Love to Grow

Wow! These last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind both physically and emotionally for me. I traveled to 5 places and slept in 7 different locations! As I visited with lots of family, friends and students, the time was full of bittersweet reminiscing as well as the excitement of exploring a new place, Montreal Canada. 

I worked a bit during this time as well as I led a 6 hour mindfulness workshop in the summer acting conservatory at Michael Howard Acting School in NYC and taught a class at my old studio, Hastings Yoga.

Just as I noticed the dichotomy of being in the familiar and the new on my extended trip, I noticed a combination of the same with my work. Meeting new students in the summer conservatory was exciting and being back at Michael Howard Studios was a poignant reminder of how long I had taught there before I relocated. Teaching many of my old students at Hastings felt both new and bittersweet as we reconnected once again.

The waves of emotion over these last couple of weeks have definitely been strong and I tried to gracefully ride them by connecting to compassion and love. This became my message for my students. 

Desmond Tutu described it this way; “We are made for love. If we don’t love, we will be like plants without water.” 

I shared a personal story to go along with this quote. One day several months ago, before class began, one of my students placed a red hibiscus flower on the edge of my mat and then took her seat on her mat. After class she explained that the flower came from her father’s hibiscus plant, that she inherited upon his passing. She proceeded to tell me that sometimes hibiscus buds fall off without blooming but she would kiss all the buds on this plant and then the next day they would open. A little love helps them bloom she told me. 

I can’t help thinking that a little love helps all of us bloom. In fact we cannot grow without it. No matter if the seas are calm or rough, we can offer ourselves compassion and love as we ride them. I wish for all of you to practice self love and compassion this week regardless of what the waves bring. I am practicing right along with you.