Yoga Journey

For the past six months I have been on a journey of self discovery and study. I decided to embark on a 1,000 hour yoga teacher training through D'Ana Baptiste's Inbody Academy. I am rounding out the program and beginning a mentoring process. I have been so fortunate to have this miraculous opportunity and more benefits have been garnered than I could ever describe. I am lucky enough to volunteer bi-weekly at West Jordan Middle School teaching yoga to a group of lovely middle school children. Teaching brings me great joy and seeing the improvements in these young persons lives is truly breathtaking to watch.

I encourage each one of us to undertake a self-study practice in the new year, however that manifests for you. For me it was through a consistent practice, learning under some incredible instructors, reading a lot, journaling, meditating. I have realized many things about myself that I wanted desperately to change. I have realized that instead of fighting against those things, it was really about letting to rather than accrual. What we resist persists, right? I would like to recommend a book for everyone to read in the new year. It is called "A New Earth". Please read this book. I would love to have people to discuss it with! It has made such an immense difference for me and has been painfully revealing in exposing the grip that the ego mind has on us and how deeply this inhibits us from our happiness potential.

I have learnt that I was a slave to my past, immersed in samskaras (stories one tells themselves over and over and becomes attached to. Particularly lies we tell ourselves, truly), I identified with my past and my manifestation of what that looked like. Our past is really our perception of events. We formulate stories about things in the past to lock us in to these ideas of being a victim, being wronged, the unjustness of it all. I have also realized that the future is merely an illusion; it does not exist. The only thing that is real, not a story or a illusion, is our present. This moment right now. The second you read this sentence it will have passed. Enjoying the present moment without our projections of our past to cloud it with an idea of this worry, fear, obsession with what we will do or what will happen in the future, to truly be present is the idea. When you can look at a tree with complete clarity of thought, immersed in presence, you will truly see its beauty. These moments are, quite sadly, rare. I am quite dedicated to releasing these grips of past and future to enjoy this moment before it passes me by. A thought for the new year, perhaps.


I began this journey because I felt hopeless and lost and wasn't sure of who I was outside of being a wife and mother anymore. I was still grieving. I have become rather disinterested with figuring out who I am and completely interested in the idea of being exactly who I am right now, in this moment. I realize now how often we change and that we are fluid and every thing that we encounter, every person, circumstance, happening changed our consciousness. We are never the same person. Be open to that idea. I encourage everyone to entertain the idea of being open to every experience, conversation, etc. We all sort of bump in to one another and impact each other. You are never the same. I encourage self study but also encourage this release of searching and a submission to just being and living in that space.

It is difficult for me to articulate this experience in a linear fashion because it's anything but. Life is not a beginning, middle and end. It is spiraling. We are spiraling. I know this may all sound like a bunch of hippie, new aged rubbish. Maybe it is, who knows? But if anything I have said resonates with you, let me know! Let's let our consciousness collide a bit!

Etsy Shop Launch

I am very proud to announce the launch of my Etsy shop...."With Grace Design"...

Feel very welcome to take a peek at my items! I'm adding more. I just made some FABULOUS earrings yesterday that I am very excited to list later on today. Check back often as more items will be added!

The concept of my shop is low-impact, handmade items. I try to re-purpose whatever I can and anyone who knows me knows the excruciating guilt pangs I get simply by not recycling a piece of paper. I feel it is our responsibility to care more for the environment than about appearances. I feel we can find so many wonderful solutions for items we would normally cast aside to instead purchase mass produced items from a factory across the world. I hope that you will support me in my quest for fashionable life with the lowest impact possible.

My favorite materials to work with are recycled wine corks, recycled frames, low impact eco-felt and cruelty free feathers. I also like to re-purpose any beads or bits from jewelry that is broken and needs a second life.

I am proud of this venture and excited to see what it will bring to our lives. Mostly, it is an amazing outlet for some of my meager creativity and a chance for me to have a little adult time amidst the ever rice cereal covered, vomit stained, poo-changing (yet blissful) existence of a mommy!

I love to create and see the fruits of my labor! I hope you enjoy my items and that they can bring something special to your life or the life of someone that you love!

http://www.etsy.com/people/WithGraceDesign?ref=si_pr

Powerblock TV

I have emailed Powerblock TV and Trucks TV with hopes that they will help Joe with his project truck! Joe also has a 37 Chrysler Royale and a 67 Chevy Malibu that need help but has expressed if he could work on one, the truck has the most symbolism. Please comment on this thread! With your comments I will send a link to my blog back to the production team of both shows in hopes they will grant my wish to have assistance on Joe's truck! VOTE FOR JOE!!!

Aquarium

I had a phenomenal 25th birthday this past weekend. Oh, you didn't know? Yes, Sunday was my quarter life! On Saturday we went to the Aquarium and to my favorite vegan restaurant for some amazing Chinese fare. Later in the evening we went to the ever-fabulous Wild Grape for some adults-only cocktails with Tara and Madison. All in all, a fantastic day! Here are some pictures from our outing.

Crafty Crafts!

Felt...you've got to love it! Very eco-friendly, extremely workable material. I am trying out some new, fun felt projects that will soon be on my Etsy site! Here is a sneak preview!

I am loving the heck out of the two-toned design!

Tooth fairy pillow out of white velour! I hand embroidered the face. So cute! Ashlynn hasn't sprouted a single baby tooth yet but when her first one pops out I will be prepared!

Cork boards...

I am a very big fan of all things "green" and highly advocate repurposing whenever possible. I have begun making message boards (but you could use them as a jewelry board and they are wonderful for keeping track of pesky stud earrings). The boards are made of recycled wine corks and repurposed picture frames. I am experimenting with different sizes and each one is unique and gorgeous! I will be posting them to an Etsy site soon. Here is a sneak preview!