Today Carly and I went to GGY – Grace and Glory Yoga – to attend their Thanksgiving Day Practice. We started our day at Church, as usual, listened to the story of the First Thanksgiving and gave thanks. I have so much to be thankful for in my life right now. I enjoy starting this day by giving thanks. I know it is something we should be doing everyday – but I know I get caught up in all my story and my thankfulness sometimes gets pushed aside. I find that when we do this somehow God has a way of gently or sometimes not so gently putting it in your face. Reminding you to slow down and appreciate all you have. Today was one of those moments where I was reminded that every single breath is special and needs to be cherished.

Practice this morning was in honor of Kate – a shining star – in our community and her husband Joel- who is fighting cancer. Allie, our fearless yoga teacher/leader created this class in honor of MoShaveMovember. Funds for the class would be donated and t-shirts were made, as well as fake mustaches for all. I asked Carly to come because I know that with college classes she hasn’t had time for yoga, practicing next to her is amazing, and of course the continued Mom thing about teaching your kid good life lessons. You could feel the building buzzing with energy as soon as you walked in. I felt as if the building had come to life. A vision from a cartoon. The place was filled with everyone in grey t-shirts, fake mustaches, and big, huge, real hugs. A photo wall with cute sayings. There wasn’t a person in the place not smiling from ear to ear!!!! And this was only the beginning and all before the practice even started.

All of the GGY teachers and Allie were in the front of the room – where we were. Allie had co-created (my new fav term) this incredible practice that included all of them and Travis – my bud from YTT. They said what they were thankful for and the practice began – a brief but powerful and valuable meditation (led by our very own YTT – MTFarrell) about ‘Gratitude’ and child’s pose. Off we go. No clue as to what was to come. But when the teacher’s spoke about what they were grateful for it was directed around this COMMUNITY and how yoga has impacted their life. Tears were already beginning to flow. Boom I could feel the lump in my throat grow. This yoga and this community HAS been a “game changer” in my life. The flow began with constant assists from the teachers in the room. There was barely a pose where someone’s loving touch wasn’t on you. Their words resonated through my core and my love for a room full of like minded people rocked my world.

snippets of what I remember

– I like to have fun and you all look pretty funny smiling back at me with mustaches
– I’m grateful for all of you
– This has made me a better mother, wife, friend and person
-This is what is possible

and my favorite
-make a list of all those things you are thankful for (the easy things) and make a list of all the really hard things – be thankful for the hard list- it is what made you who you are (paraphrasing my very own K. Whitmore)

Allie ended the class and spoke to seeing what’s possible all around you. She didn’t want credit but was clearly moved by the love in the room. How powerful and amazing of a moment. It is hard to put into words – but here it is.

I felt like the earth was shifting – maybe not a lot but it actually moved from the amount of unconditional love and authenticity from the people in the room. From a world full of, hatred and competitiveness, this room of yogis proved that if you open your eyes and live your life from a place of love and support – the world truly can be a better place. I felt my heart open wide and burst with joy for the people around me showing up for someone in our community. A room full of “sweaty huggers” that are doing their part in changing the world. The little nudge that makes all those big scary dreams seem POSSIBLE. A piece of rubber that becomes your magic carpet. And oh to think of what else is possible when like-minded people come together for each other, is truly a dream. I told my daughter – make sure you always ‘show up’ for others – no matter what is looks like.

And them Joel came in and the earth did move a whole lot. Just being present for him was a game changer for me for sure. Sitting next to my daughter I felt that this was a lesson I could have never taught her in life. Right there, right then we all learned the true power of it’s not about us. Let your story go, be a stand for others, and every minute, every breath, every action, DOES count!

And that was my thanksgiving morning 2014. BOOM! Just like that…