It's amazing how quickly life moves and changes.  It is why I choose to live each and every day as if it matters.  It does.  None of us know when our lives will end, what we do know is that we are given today and today is a gift.

Sheryl and I have been together the past few days and we have been putting the finishing touches on our new workshop that will not only wake you up to all that your life has in it today, it will also saturate your senses.  Sheryl and I are both very sensual individuals and we have some great experientials that will have you "coming to your senses" in a big way.  We sure hope you will join us on May 16 and 17th!  Come play.

Love,
Anne & Sheryl

 

 

 

Sheryl and I have been discussing courage, adventure, passion and trying what may seem uncomfortable at first.  For many of my friends it would be out of their comfort zone and possibly even distasteful to think about attending a personal growth workshop or going to an art film or book discussion.  I could do these in my sleep.  For me, activities that involve emotional, spiritual or intellectual growth are just plain fun.  I have always loved events that challenge my mind or that make me stretch spiritually.  I love them.  Sports, games of skill or meaningless social activities put me in a place of discomfort.  I can be bored, anxious and agonizingly clumsy.  I avoid situations in which I am required to have dexterity or coordination.  That is until I arrived in Florida for a three month time span.

 

My husband connected with an old friend who lives in the Tampa area.  He and his wonderful partner (also named Anne) quickly made us a part of their lives.  They adore games.  We played ring hook, cards, Black Jack at a real blackjack table with real money at someone's home, we played Wii bowling, Wii golf, Wii tennis and Wii baseball.  We laughed and laughed and laughed.  I was way out of my comfort zone and I loved it!  It made me think of what else I have been missing by deciding I cannot do it or it is for other people, not for me.  These past three months I have felt more alive and freer than I have in a very, very long time.  What have you decided is "not you"?  What if you tried doing one thing this month that is "not you"?  Would you feel more alive?  Would you breathe a little faster and smile a little more?  I am betting that you will!

 

Sheryl and I were both touched by a contestant on "Dancing with The Stars" when he said, "Most of you will not have the opportunity to face your fear of performing dance on national television but there is something you are afraid of doing.  Go out and do it!"  I would say the same thing, "Do something that you have a little fear about."  Then get ready to feel alive!

 

Have a great month.  Remember, come play with us in May.

See you on the court!
Anne

 

 

 

 

Ordinarily  I feel most fully alive when I'm engaged in an activity, or full of ideas about what's next on my agenda.  Whether it today's to-do list, planning a future event or outlining a goal, I love it when my mind is busy and my emotions are engaged.
 
But this week, I'm in Florida visiting Anne where we're envisioning our next Becoming Fully Alive Workshop.  It's been years since I've been here and Wow! such a change of scenery.   I'm walking barefoot on soft, warm sand by the ocean, drinking in the intense colors of the flowers and watching the breezes wafting through the palm trees.  With all this and our days undefined by my regular schedule - I realize that my mind is on vacation and I'm experiencing that bliss of no-thought that is usually so hard for me to achieve in meditation.

 

This morning Anne and I were talking about breathing - in yoga and in mediation - and that's when I described my favorite part - the rest before the next inhale, and again before the next inhale. And I realized that's what I've been giving myself these past few days ... a rest between episodes of thinking and planning.  A rest in Presence.

 

How long has it been since you've experienced that rest?  Could you alter your routine to pause and experience something unfamiliar ... a different route you drive home?  A different street to walk down?  A change of pace?  What could you give yourself this week to allow your own Presence to awaken?

 

Love,

Sherle