#365newbie: Day??? Root Down

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

It has been a little over 24 hours since I got power back after the beast that was Hurricane Sandy.  We experienced her fury but in truth we were spared a big can of whoop ass.  My yogis and readers and family in NY and NJ and Southern CT have fared much worse.  I ache when I see the destruction on Long Beach Island, NJ where my best friend and my aunt have homes.  Seeing the magnetic and bright city of New York dark was ominous and devastating.

Around here most people got their lights on and trees removed faster than the same scenario last year.  (Then many suffered for up to 12 days in the darkness.)  In CT we were prepared for the worst again because we have been there recently.  At my house we had candles, everything charged, virtually no perishables and lots of water ready for the power outages we knew would come.  We were as ready as could be for the long haul of darkness.

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: the whole world is one single family.

When the Earth roars and we lose some of our luxuries and normal life is stopped, we turn to those around us.  Twice last year and now again with Sandy I have witnessed the immense warmth and support of my local and distant sanghas.  People have been offering showers, food and wine. There were texts to connect (do you have power yet?  ours is on come over.  no school.  school is on).  There were meetings at restaurants and coffee shops of commiseration and allegiance.  Strangers became comrades, friends became family.

It is only fitting that November, both my birthday month and the one that contains Thanksgiving, is my month of gratitude.  I will be honoring this theme by writing down one thing each day I am thankful for and telling four people each day I am grateful for them.  Additionally I will be sharing some of these special individuals with you, my dear and amazing readers.  These people are the roots that keep my tree strong and standing.  I am not that weak pine that crashed in the winds, I am the strong Alder that roots down and remains tall and steady.  My family and community help guide the path for my roots to grow deeper and stronger.

To begin this month of sharing some of my special community of friends I will introduce you to two women who are unique and lovely.  Both work to celebrate THEIR people and those who support them.  Both are kind, wonderful and speak with Satya.  Both give and give again. Please go visit their pages and support both of them in all they do…

1.) Jennifer Pastiloff:  This sweet and sincere yogini has connected me to some of the most special people out there in the yoga world.  She moves through her days and the cybersangha with such joy it is infectious.  Her latest post is just a glimpse into what she brings to our community and family.  Go read it now!

2.) Jennifer Ciraulo of Blooming Lotus Jewelry:  Jennifer works tirelessly to promote the yogis in her community.  Additionally she reaches to the large group of admirers of her jewelry/malas and shares blogs, stories and yogis who inspire her. Her jewelry is all made by hand and with heart.  Currently she is in the dark in NJ making malas to support others suffering (of which she is one!) from the effects of Sandy.  Check out the wrist malas that will support the relief effort in NJ.

People like these two Jennifers help to keep me rooted and to support the wide wonderful world of yogis that I call my family.  Please support them as they have done for me!

Root down and go deep this month.  Find the people, places and things that make you feel grateful.  Write about them, share about them and comment here about them.  Who makes you feel fortunate?  What places create a home? What are you grateful for?

 

The whole world is one big family and I am grateful you are part of mine!