just a boy

& his friend...

sim but different

pure feeling

2:00 to 2:12 is what i'm alive for.  seriously.  honestly.
it's why i'm still here to write words into the darkness of the internet.
that absolute raw emotion that knows no words, no images,
it is just feeling.
it is raw and real and it can be painful or joyful or more often
it can be beyond emotional categorization.
that
is
being
alive.

that is being human.
that is what we're here to experience.
that
right
there.

m-i-l...

dammit Kara!

just when I think everything is good and fine and you're done teaching me, I teach something and find myself remembering you with such love and then (inevitably) missing you.  thanks for making this video so I can hear your voice when I'm missing you...

i will only sing

do it. find the time to watch this,

you won't be sorry you did.

oxygen in cups

For the most part, being generous with my time and being kind-hearted towards my challenges comes naturally (thank goodness).  But occasionally, I find myself struggling to be generous and my first reaction is often frustration.  Why can't I just be loving?  Why can't I just feel good about giving my time / attention / money / etc. to this?  Why does it feel like a struggle here?

If we are being honest with ourselves, we admit that we cannot give that which we do not have.  If our own cup isn't full, we can't pour into everyone around us.  If our own needs are not being met, we are not going to feel very good spending our time and attention and funds meeting someone else's needs.  The whole "put your own oxygen mask on before assisting others" on a plane scenario (I know, I hate hearing that one, too).  But it's true.  

What I'm getting to here is that you are allowed to fill your own cup.  We are obligated to find our own oxygen before we can help anyone else find theirs.  We need to take a step back and assess our own needs before we can meet everyone else's.  And let me be the first to say, this is really hard.  I know everyone depends on you.  I know your to-do list is a mile and a half long.  I know you don't feel like you have time for this stuff.  I know, because I'm right here with you and I feel the same way. 

Please, take half an hour today and do the things that fill your cup.  If not for your own wellness then do it for the wellness of all those hearts who depend on you.  Whatever brings you joy, do more of that.  And know that we are right here with you, and we're learning right here with you, to put on our own oxygen masks before we assist everyone else.  

Our goal is to always have our cups so full that they consistently spill out into your life when you're here in the studio.  We really do find joy in helping you create, in helping you feel warm and fuzzy and loved and wonderful.  Stop by and create with us and you'll see what I mean.  We just stinkin' love what we do, and we want to share it with you.  And we strive to be a place that brings you joy, that helps you relax and reset and fill your own cup.  So you can keep on being awesome and pouring into your kids, your family, your coworkers, your community.

Happy Sunday, y'all.

really.

a meanness

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

-Rumi

love & progress

3 more weeks!

15 more days!
it's like the end of a marathon,
where you start to notice that you're totally exhausted,
and maybe your form isn't the best anymore
because you're totally exhausted,
and you start making a few more mistakes...

but the cheering gets louder,
and you start to think about the delicious snacks after you cross the finish line
and oh yeah, the finish line is so close!
you've accomplished so much!
you can do it!
you can do it!
you can do it!
*rah rah rah*
fall is a-coming!

where

to go?
where to grow?
where do we grow (and go) from here?

"the soul

always knows what to do to heal itself.
the challenge is to silence the mind."

step one:
be gentle.
soften.
hold yourself like you hold a child.
stop powering through.
rest.
take a break.
ask for help.
admit when it is too much.
stop powering through.
listen.
breathe.
stop powering through.
be human.
make mistakes.
be sweeter to self.
stop powering through.
listen to your body.
listen to your desires.
make it ok to feel the things you feel.
stop powering through.
be gentle.
be sweet.
be sukha.
be rebirth.
be kind.
do all things with love.
only love.

#

get quiet, live loud.

"I closed my mouth and spoke to you in a hundred silent ways." -Rumi

"listen,

you must never express your anger or frustration using your body,
and you must never allow your emotions to keep you from remaining in control of your body.
it is not ok to hit anyone or anything in this studio,
it is never ok to hit anyone at all regardless of where you are.

it is unacceptable to hurt anyone else because of your own emotions.
you must apologize, now."

#shittheartteachersaid
#truth
#kids
we're all still learnin' things, y'all.

life sounds like!

when the world comes to gather me in

oh hey, heaven is the place we know

heaven is the arms that hold us

long before we go

(ben howard)

life sounds like

i'm alive i'm alive i'm alive i'm alive i'm alive i'm alive
so-hum
(i am.)

(week 4)