Mother's Day

I am so lucky, in so many ways! On this day I'm noticing just how lucky I am with the Mother I've been blessed with. The utmost respect, gratitude, unconditional love and compassion, and hope goes out for mine. I hope you can send the same to yours. And if there isn't an acting Mother or mothering figure present in your life, you can make it your connection with the Mother Earth. The Earth we inhabit is the most sacred of all....she gives us every single thing that keeps us alive and moving! She is powerful and overwhelmed, yet soft and inviting in her own way too. Take time today to show your true gratitude for the mothering power in your life, whatever it may be.

After sitting around the table at my Uncle's first family gathering since the holiday season, I was surprised by how wonderful and soothing it was to just be in the presence of loved ones. Some of us may not have as many as others, and some of us may have a number that is overwhelming to us. The principle is, it's all love and it's all for us. On Mother's day we appreciate the yin part of our life...the soft & gentle, feminine, healing, caring, tranquil, light, restful. After reminiscing with my mother about childhood times, I came to remember so many little yet priceless moments. At the gathering, I was sitting at the table that was for only current and future mothers (all women...cousins, grandmother, aunts, mother, sisters), and my brother took it upon himself to join the women table. Though perhaps it put a damper on the "woman" effect of having only females sitting, it was a wonderful balance too. I was also highly impressed that he was bold enough to pull up a chair to the levels of estrogen sitting in such a small space! I was reminded of the beauty of balance of yin and yang. When all the other men at the gathering filtrated back into the common room, it was once again yin and yang. The balance of the yang and masculine brought strength, heat, activity, fiery energy and conversation. It would be madness to think about life without the balance. So on this day, my morning consisted of a feminine, soft, quiet meditation and yoga practice (very soft asana being that I still wear a mini boot on my injured foot...a post in itself about patience and being still). My afternoon consisted of more masculinity, with productivity, energy and activity, and constructive thought. I have once again been reminded that men have softness too. And for the mothers and future mothers...strength is present even during times of weakness. Let us all be aware of our true dual natures today.