Dancing Through Life

Letting go of yesterday:

I was 6 years old dancing around my grandparents store;

I was 9 years old taking my first dance class;

I was 13 years old auditioning for my first agent;

I was 18 years old dancing around the world in a concert dance company;

I was 25 years old performing on stage in New York City;

I was 28 years old booking my first big role in TV;

I was 30 years old starting a production company with the love of my life (whom I met while dancing in New York City);

I’m 35 years old, publishing my first book…

Now, I’m 3 days away from 40;

Ready for a new chapter and of course, continued dancing—through life!

The Birthday Extravaganza Begins!

Waking up midday from a joyous slumber;
Proof that last night’s dinner party was a triumph.
Friends (that are more like family) gathering around an outdoor table to celebrate life;
An evening designed by artists and worthy of a Vanity Fair spread;
Soon, I’m sure.

Give More Light

You question my determination;

You challenge my peace of mind;

You call bullshit on my answers;

You accuse me of condescension;

And then you hope to surround yourself with my positive energy?

I will share my light with you, because I know your attack on my character is a plea for inspiration; I’ve been there, too.

We all need a role model.

Joy; It's Right Here

I woke up joyful;

It’s hard to find fault in a morning that begins with puppy kisses.

My 40th Birthday is near;

Three decades of laughter, creativity, adventure, and opportunity with family and friends.

It’s like a chocolate chip cookie, and every bite is loaded with chips!

Acting

The art of lying in an effort to capture attention, influence, fame, and fortune.
I’m in.

Present

The moment I jump to after raging for five minutes because my closet door is jammed shut and I can’t gain access to my yoga clothes.

Breathe, wear whatever you can find, and namaste.

Sunshine

When the sky is bright,

My soul is light;

Radiant energy manifested into a smile,

Attracting positive affirmations from everyone I come in contact with.

Errands

A day spent running around town;

Leads to an evening by the hot tub with a glass of wine.

Club Kid

I am not;
But I will do (almost) anything for a friend on their birthday...
Even if that means dancing the night away before a 6 hour day of teaching at a dance convention.

Told You So...

From total darkness to light and laughter;
In just one day your world can change.
Acceptance of the present is the beginning of understanding:
Every single moment is a beautiful crumb on the path of life.
And “it” always resolves the way it’s supposed too!

Principle; Let It Go

Forty is just two weeks away;

I’m ready to embrace a new act.

Standing on principle was empowering in my 20’s and 30’s, but peace of mind is calling.

My principles haven’t changed, but my outlook has;

I can walk away and still be true to me.

And I’ve learned that the squeaky wheel always gets the grease, but more often than not it comes with a load of stress on the machine: me.

Laughter

The cure to stress;

The answer to a ridiculous question;

The only way to overcome a negative circumstances;

The cheapest way to restore a more youthful appearance:

Laughter.

Present

I’ve received an unpleasant email that could have launched me into darkness and despair;

Then I smiled, because I’ve just finished yoga class, the sun is shining, and I’m with my family in LA.

If you react to things in fear, you will have reason to panic.

When you stay present, you realize life’s not so bad, and that email can wait.

Let Go and Let God, or The Universe, or Whatever You Believe In...

Taxes are due;
Waiting for multiple vendor payments;
Smoothing over a misunderstanding and work conflict;
Maneuvering three months of nonstop travel around the world––which will be fun at some point, or so I’m told;
And trying to maintain a smile on my face...because I have a fabulous life, or so I’m told;
In these moments it’s best to take a deep breath and let go.
Let go of the noise, doubt, fear, drama, anger, stress, and negative energy...and eat a burger.

Joy

The smell of freshly brewed coffee and hearing my best friend laugh;
Recalling a story from our past––what were we thinking?
Watching as she confidently steps into her role as an educator; she is a master at bullying her students with a smile and gentle, loving instruction.
Twenty years later, we’re still true to our passion.
I breathe in the moment; I feel joy.

Inspiration

I’ll

Never

Stop

Pushing myself;

Inhale,

Release,

Accept that

Transitions

In life are

Opportunities

Not setbacks.

Return to Now

Breathing in the moment;

I release the chatter in my head.

Finding space in my life for Faith;

I trust that where I am now is where I’m meant to be.

Releasing the constraints and comparisons of the past;

I know that the present will provide the best version of me.

Rejecting expectations for the future;

I will accomplish what I’m meant to in the time frame that I’m supposed to.

Health

Healing

Energy

Acceptance

Longevity

Trim

Happy

Release Number: I've Seriously Lost Count...

One of the many practical benefits of yoga is that reminder to breathe.
Something that should come natural to all of us––and of course in the literal sense it does––but the depth and level of presence is always in question.
I spend too much time in my head, and while I fancy myself a creative and clever person, my mind is controlling and (at times) destructive.
There are things I cannot control and I know I have to let them go, period.
Remember: Nothing good comes from doubt, fear, or stress.

Family

With space comes appreciation;

Unconditional love evolved into endless gratitude.

Connected by blood; bonded for life by choice.

Rage

Anger will not solve the issue;
And it will certainly leave a poisonous residue.
Let. It. Go.

You Can't Please Everybody.

Intentions will be distorted;
Words will be twisted;
Actions will be misinterpreted;
Still, I will share my experience, knowledge, and passion with the hope of inspiring and motivating change just as my mentors did for me.

Through Darkness

Through darkness there is a pinhole of light;
The beam of energy leads to a pool of unconditional joy.
You just have to make the choice:
Awake to the light or wither in darkness.

Rest

An idea that exists in my mind but needs to be implemented.

Time

You lose time in the past;
You imagine time in the future;
In the present everything is possible.

Stillness

Powerful calm; confident not because I know, because I’m comfortable not knowing.

Every dream, declared a goal, and set into action; manifested along a 20 year journey.

Energy that was—at times—overbearing, (It worked didn’t it?), no longer needy; now a confident stride.

Nothing left to prove; I am free with everything still to gain.

Ambition and creativity still abundant; I’m safe to stand in stillness, breathe, and be.

Smile

Subtlet

Meaningful

Irresistible

Loving

Engaging

Release

The euphoric pleasure of letting go;
When you can’t change the past and you don’t want to perpetuate a habit in the future;
Something lost is an opportunity to find embrace something new.

A Dream...

Is a goal your soul makes.
The next step is manifesting the goal;
action,
creativity,
collaboration,
confidence,
and a lot of faith.

Renewal

Death is a reminder of life;
The opportunity to live.
The sacrifice of one, so that all could be saved;
Everywhere you look, a chance to renew your spirit.
This beautiful gift is manifested in the blossom of a flower or the birth of a baby or the forgiveness of an enemy or the kindness of a stranger.