This month's theme at RP is gratitude. On the heels of last month's theme of Real Life, the two ideas seem to have collided. I don't know what could possibly be more "real" than Mother Nature tearing through our coastline and upending the very real daily lives of millions and millions of people. And yet, there was much to be thankful for.
As we prepared for what my husband expected to be a "tempest in a teapot", I packed lightly, leaving my Sunday night work home along with my cat Artemis and shuffled my two girls into our car for what should have been a normal 48 hour country respite. Instead, we watched in horror as lower Manhattan, Staten Island, New Jersey, the Rockaways and beyond were ravaged.
Helpless to return to our home and businesses (all in the evacuated Zone A), we holed up in upstate New York, awaiting clearance from officials to get back to our "real" lives.
During those days out of the city and for many days after I pondered the apparent disconnect between what's normal and what isn't. Why, for instance is it ordinary and real to be running from place to place, grabbing snippets of quality time, working 24/7 on our mobile devices and somehow "un"-real to have a lack of structure and relatively little to do other than get through the days with enough food and protection from the elements while spending down time together. The forced vacation allowed for snuggle down time with books, card games that had been long forgotten and some unlikely cooking experiments. It occurred to me during this time that my personal real life is defined largely by my virtual life. Emails, social media and the invisible but very real network of communication that tethers me to my family, business, clients, staff and community. And somehow it's all sort of un-real.
Now, weeks after the event there are still remnants of this other real life. The one that is possible when the power goes down and the light bulb of resourcefulness switches on inside your mind's eye. These times are inevitably the ones where memories are made. In the end, Hurricane Sandy will be a story we tell. The tragedies, the triumphs and the moments of togetherness in times of despair. The sparks of humor, creativity and kindness we shared with each other. Things for which I am truly grateful.
This Thanksgiving season I am also grateful to be with family and the Real Pilates community and to be able to help others who truly need help during this time. I wish for each of you the opportunity to step out of your normal routine this week and enjoy a very different type of schedule and pace. Your daily routine, foods you eat, and company you keep will be a whole other version of your life. But no less real. And quite likely, even better. Much to be thankful for, indeed.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Take the time to show someone you care about their health with our Real Pilates friends and family Gift Card special! When you purchase a gift card (for group class packages and/or private session packages) this month, you get an additional package for 10% off. Give the gift of Real Health & Fitness, and don't forget to gift yourself! 
