turning 80 & word of the year

Yesterday my family celebrated my sweet Grandma Nana's 80th Birthday. It was a great time. I know I'm very blessed to have such a wonderful family. Grandma Nana did a pretty good job raising her four kiddos, I'd say. I have so many happy memories of going to Grandma's house as a child. I sure hope I've inherited some of Grandma Nana's kindness, spunk, & sense of style! She is such a wonderful lady who has touched the lives of so many people. Love you, Grandma Nana!

And, to top the evening off, my sweet Mama bought a karaoke machine, so we spent the night singing and laughing together. Nothing's as good for the soul as spending time having fun with loved ones!
With that, I've decided my Word of the Year for 2011 is JOYFUL AUTHENTICITY (I know this is two words, but I'm breaking the rules). I want to reconnect with that childlike adventure every child has. I want to play. I want to explore. I want to laugh. I want to be filled with pure happiness. I want to be silly. I want to break the rules. I want bliss. I want to be myself fully in every action and interaction I have without any judgement or worry of judgement from others. Who says being an adult means we have to let go of all these things, anyway? I want to look back when I'm 80 and have no regrets!

Peace, Love, Lipstick,
& Namaste'
Leslie

simplicity

For the past two years, I've chosen a word of the year to focus my energy on throughout the year. I haven't totally decided on my 2011 Word of the Year (I know, I'm a little behind), but I had been contemplating simplicity. Although I don't think this will end up being my word, I find it interesting that I was thinking about using it, and the first week of 2011 has definitely been simple--forced simplicity one could say. I came down with a monster cold/flu last Thur. We spent New Years Eve at home on the couch with a movie. And, I've pretty much been at home every day since then. I made the mistake of trying to go to work yesterday, but that didn't go over very well, and by 10:00 a.m., I left and headed to the Dr. before coming home. I don't have the energy to do anything besides sleep, read, and surf on the internet. I cannot smell a thing (this is killing me as I LOVE my sense of smell). I cannot taste anything (which is also killing me as eating just isn't as fun when you can't taste it!). I literally haven't left the house since last Saturday except for my short jaunt to work and the Dr. Anyway, 2011 has been simple so far. This wasn't exactly what I was invisioning when thinking about the word simplicity, but it's what I got. Anyway, I will continue to ponder my 2011 word of the year, and I am very much looking forward to feeling back to my normal healthy self.

Do you choose a word of the year? If so, I'd love to hear your choice.

Namaste'
Leslie

adventure

In my last blog post, I officially declared my 2010 word of the year: ADVENTURE. Today, when I got my latest Yoga Journal mag, I took it as a "synchronistic sign" that there was a short article all focusing on living life with a spirit of adventure. Here are a few great quotes from the article that articulate my thoughts on adventure exactly:

"At it's core, adventure is the willingness to commit to an uncertain outcome with an open haeart and an open mind. It is the ability to take a leap into the unknown with mindfulness and grace. Framed this way, opportunities for adventure present themselves to us every day: walking a new route to yoga class, having lunch away from your desk with a co-worker, organize a volunteer project, taking the kids out to dinner and giving your partner the night off.

Adventure isn't something that's reserved for the extreme athlete or daredevil. It is an epression of your heart's intention and passion for life. It's the ability to think big about who you are, how you live, and what yo can do in the world, whether you're climbing mountains, practicing Sun Salutations, or listening to a friend. It is the willingness to embrace challenge and move toward success. It is the acknowledgment that total commitment does not mean blind faith or brazen disregard, but confidence and belief in the face of challenge...

My practice of mindful adventure is not unlike my yoga and meditation practices. It takes work, but the payoff is well worth the commitment. When you approach everything with the spirit of adventure, you infuse your life with vitality and radiance. You find a level of engagement and awareness with everything around you that is deeply satisfying and joyous. Your summits await." --Matt Walker

Wishing you a year of adventure, too!

Namaste'
Leslie

2010 word of the year

With 2009 quickly coming to a close, I have been thinking about what I want my 2010 word of the year to be. I regretfully do not know which lovely blogger started the word of the year tradition (as I wish I could give credit where it's due), but I love the idea! I have never been one to make New Year's Resolutions as I am constantly setting goals and trying to grow and change in positive ways throughout the entire year; however, I love choosing one word to focus energy and attention on for the whole year.

My 2009 word of the year was action. I know I spend a lot of time in my head--thinking, and planning, and reading, and learning, and thinking and thinking. So, this year, I decided I wanted to focus on taking action. And, it was in this year that I took action and rented a space for my yoga studio. I also had smaller examples of action throughout the year, but opening my yoga studio is definitely my biggest success.

My 2010 word of the year is:

ADVENTURE

I will admit I do not consider myself a very adventurous person. I also need to explain that my definition of adventure may be a bit different than others. You will not catch me sky diving, bungee jumping, parasailing, rock climbing, etc.--this is not my idea of adventure, it's my idea of insanity (no offense if you've done any of these activities--they are just not for me!) To me, adventure means pushing myself beyond my comfort zone, reaching my edge, taking risks, traveling, exploring, and creating an adventurous life!

Do you choose a word of the year? If so, what is it for 2o1o?

Namaste'
Leslie

***I think Christinekane.com just might be the place the idea of a word of the year originated. Be sure to check her out!

2 days and random musings

Only two days until my 33rd birthday. but I will be celebrating all week long! Tuesday night: dinner out with sweet husband. Thursday night: 90- minute massage. Friday: personal day from work...doing whatever I want and feel like! Saturday: matinee of New Moon (dressed in my Twilight series attire) with a few friends and family and dinner afterwards. Can't wait!

I always try to approach Birthdays with the same child-like excitement and awe I had when I was a kid. I don't think the focus of Birthdays should be about getting one year older. I think the focus should be on getting one year better and about recognizing all the blessings both big and small that the past year brought. And, perhaps if it was a rough year, maybe just focusing on the fact that the year is over and it's now time to move on and forward!

As 2010 is quickly approaching, I've also been beginning to think about what I want my 2010 Word of the Year to be. Action was my 2009 word, and considering I finally opened up my own little yoga studio this year, I do think action was a fitting word. I have kind of been leaning toward the word adventure. To be quite honest, I don't consider myself to be all that adventurous of a person. I like the word adventure because it can encompass so many different things: risk-taking, travelling, creating life changes, etc. Do you choose a word of the year? If so, what was your 2009 word? What are you thinking your 2010 word will be?

Lastly, I just have to share a photo of my new luggage. (This is the first luggage set I've ever owned, and when I saw it, I knew it was the perfect luggage set for me: brown giraffe print with hot pink zippers, oh yeah!). I also plan to do more traveling in the year 2010, and I think this purchase will be a constant reminder of that!

Namaste'

Leslie