Saying Goodbye:

A memorial service marking the loss of a bright light;
Honoring her love, creativity, wisdom, and no-nonsense life!

Back On My Mat:

Monday’s are my recharge days;

I get back into the yoga studio and down on my mat.

Breathing through the past;

Releasing the future;

Returning to the present!

Oatmeal

I feel healthy eating it;

While it doesn’t taste as good as a salty McMuffin—the heart-health option will keep me from getting my own muffin-top in my McMidsection!

Now:

This moment is the only one that matters, because it’s the only one that’s here.

A simple fact, that requires surrendering to what is; and nothing else.

The Power:

Of a haircut;

Like a new man, I emerge from the weight of limp, lifeless locks.

Short, tight, and styled just right;

I’m a new man—one week away from 41!

Wow, that year went fast.

Push

I woke up this morning with a checklist on my mind.
What an unrealistic way to approach life.
This habit that I’ve enabled most of my life is curbed with yoga, meditation, and the constant to return to the present.
No matter how hard you push a mountain, the earth moves when it’s ready.
Breathe and stop pushing.

The Project in Front of You:

Is the most important.

Creativity is a process, and every step on the journey matters.

Stay product rather than feeling busy.

Honor Your Vows

I told myself when I turned forty that I would ease up on myself;
I didn’t need to push so much;
Work so hard;
Or invest so deeply into every project.
Here I am a week away from forty-one, and I have not stayed true to my vow.
In fact, I’ve even regressed.  Back into that aggressive, hustling, overachiever.
I don’t like that person.  Of course that guy gets things accomplished, but does he enjoy the process?  NO.
Eckhart Tolle says (and I’m paraphrasing), “By acknowledging your fears, you return to the present.”
So there it is… .
I’ve said it. Now, I have to change it.
I want this decade to be filled with joy, creativity (because I’m passionate not pushing), and balance.
I know that I can achieve this; I MUST let go.
Trust, breathe, stay present.

Six Word Essay on The Day After Easter

Too much meat; detox is necessary!

Easter

As the years pass by—and loved ones pass on—the Easter celebration evolves.

Some traditions are broken; I miss my gram’s homemade pizzelles, potica, and fudge.

Some customs remain; dressing up for church and gathering for brunch with friends and family.

New rituals are made; shampooing our carpets! With an elderly Yorkie, it was long overdue.

Whilst I was hiding Easter eggs in the backyard of one of my closest friends, I grew sad. It reminded me of my youth—and the joy that came from gathering with loved ones.

I’ve missed so many holidays with my niece and my sister. Then I remembered how special it is when they come to visit us in LA. Trips to the beach, swimming in our pool, and Disneyland—all bonding moments.

I also realized how fortunate I am to have my husband, our doggies, and a group of lifelong friends and their children! Home is where the heart is; love is found in those you surround yourself with, and I am blessed.

Passover

I could never Passover the opportunity to gather around a feast with friends and family;

Every year I dive deeper into my Faith;

And the brisket!

I Breathe; Therefore I Am.

Standing on my mat, grounded;
The energy beside me was disconnected.
This is why I practice.
When the world around you is violently spinning out of control: breathe.
When the universe brings you endless amounts of passion, energy, and joy: breathe.
When you wake up: breathe.
Be present and breathe.

Rest:

Three glorious days;
No work.
Eat, lay, yoga.
Passover and Easter; I believe in equality.
I need this break, and it begins now. . . .

Breathe In This Moment

There is nothing in the past or future that we can change;

A scary truth, yet so liberating.

That’s the power of NOW!

I breathe in and exhale;

I return to the present and trust that this moment is enough.

I Have A Choice:

Sometimes I forget this fact.

I allow myself to react, when I know that I could breathe instead.

It’s impossible to be angry in the present moment; the realization that the past is over—why worry about the future, and why be upset with anything now?

Let it go and return to this moment.

Here I find release and trust; everything resolves itself as it should.

Monday

Mindfully,
Open.
New
Directions;
Always
Yearning.

Bags:

Under my eyes and in my hotel room;

Can only mean one thing:

Another weekend on tour is wrapping up!

Loaded with creativity;

In desperate search of sleep…

The glamorous life.

Seeing Red...

The lack of sleep, coupled with the fact that I have to be positive today has me cranky and irritable.

I have to take a deep breath and remember how rough it used to be…

My life has been elevated;

It won’t always be easy, but I have a brilliant career;

Often, that means smiling when I want to cry.

I’m seeing red, but I’m going to roll out of bed and have a fabulous day!

I hope…

Construction in LA at 7:30AM

Clang, clang, clang went the hammer;
Shout, shout, shout went the foreman;
Yell, yell, yell, went the neighbor;
Who would have guessed how musical construction work in LA could be?

One Word:

Exacerbate.

Why I Yoga:

Feeling overwhelmed;

Trying to cross things off lists;

I accept that I cannot do everything.

Weighted with demands that need to be answered;

I take a deep breath and head to the studio:

Get on the mat and breath.

Returning to the present;

I find clarity and light.

Six Word Essay On Finishing A Task:

A sigh of relief; euphoric bliss!

Monday On My Mat:

The first breath on my yoga mat is a reminder of how easy it is to be present;

My hands gripping and feet fanning out,

I hit downward dog and the blood energizes my body, mind, and soul;

The peaceful vibes flow.

Yoga is my comfort.

Sunday, Goodbye:

A day at the beach;

The perfect place to say farewell to a lifelong friend;

They’re getting out of LA; can you blame them?

The years of laughter, adventures, and passionate debates…

I know our paths will cross many more times in this life, I just hate saying goodbye.

The ocean is a reminder that waves come and go, in a cyclical manner—our friendship will endure the distance, too!

Saturday Sunshine:

The bright blue sky,

The rolling hills are a vibrant, gradient green;

My soul smiles with gratitude;

Thank you Mother Earth.

I love LA!

Spa Meeting

The hydro massage on my lower back, whilst discussing Act I of our new musical, gave way to a magical idea… Perhaps all of our creative meetings should be held in a hot tub!

Inspired

When you start to doubt your path or question the worthiness of your present;
Take yourself to the theater.
Last night, I had the privilege of watching two of my best friends perform in Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
The emotionally charged program filled my soul with sadness––looking back at the baggage of our ancestral history––whilst simultaneously inspiring hope among the culturally diverse audience.
Most importantly, I left the theater with a newfound sense of gratitude, for the men and women who used their horrifically, painful past to enlighten and remind us that we can do better.
The power of art is never lost on me.

See Past the Conflict

In every unpleasant circumstance;

There is a lack of communication.

In every conflict;

See past the pain—a fellow human trying the best they can.

Let It Go.

A small betrayal;

Perhaps innocent—potentially premeditated;

A disappointing discovery, either way.

I hold the power;

Disband the partnership and lose a friend in the process?

Or

Release the drama and proceed as planned, with caution.

It requires the ultimate act of faith;

Let it go!

Reunion Week!

New York,

Los Angeles,

And the U.K.

A gathering of friends old and new;

Swapping stories from our past—laughing our asses off.

Sharing creative ideas and celebrating the journey we’ve shared;

Setting our sights on brilliant new adventures!