All is Coming....

I for one am VERY excited about 2012. Though filled with many blessings 2011 was a pretty challenging year for me personally and professionally. All across the board I feel that my strength and faith were tested greatly this year and though grateful for the lessons they taught me, I am very excited about 2012. I feel this year is going to be a great one, full of abundance and blessings. I am excited to play and create this year into being one of the best yet!

As a theme for my yoga class last week, I focused on the idea of setting your goals small and your hopes high as we approach the New Year. So often we set our goals too high that we unconsciously enter into the year not free and excited but with an enormous amount of pressure on us to stick with these big goals. I recently watched an interview with the actor Will Smith a and he addressed this perfectly. When it comes to being successful in meeting your goals he shared the following: "Lets say you want to build a brick wall. In order to be successful one shouldn't approach it from the perspective of 'I'm going to build the most amazing and infamous brick wall that has ever been built or tell ourselves that we are about to build the Taj Mahal of brick walls. That right there sets one up to fail. Rather stay present. Concentrate on laying the most perfect brick one at a time and over time you will build that wall." Let go of the result, stay present and focused on mastering the process and trust that in doing that all is coming." One of the most amazing things about letting go of the result and staying present on the process- is that you are actually unaware of what the final product will be- which opens each of us up to allowing the final wall/product to reveal itself to you rather than forcing it to become our definition of success. The magic is most certainly in the unknown.

I loved this metaphor and needed the reminder. This past year has taught me many things but certainly that life is unpredictable and change constant. We can set our goals as big as we want but staying present, focused, and faithful are the tools required to build the life we desire.

For me it is my intention this year to stay present, to do small acts each day to build and reach my long term goals. And as always to keep the faith that so long as I show up, do the work...all is coming in its perfect time and shape.

And to each of you- may you find love, joy, and peaceful contentment in all that 2012 has in store for you.

Happy New Year!

Much love and many blessings to you and yours,

Calababes

Couldn't put it any better...

Here's to an amazing New Year full of creating, loving, laughing, healthy living, gentle challenge, abundance and growth!!!!

Namaste!

What Most Matters

It's been a while since I've been on this blog but I stumbled back upon it and am glad to be here, writing to virtual computer land once again. Things have been good. Mihai is finally back from his Basic and AIT Training- that was a long 7 months apart let me tell you!! I wouldn't wish that on anyone but I also want to share with you something I learned throughout the process; distance really does make the heart grow fonder. Taking time apart from your loved one makes you appreciate how incredible they really are.

I was able to realize that who takes the trash out, the fact that he always 'forgets' to vacuum, or his idea of a home cooked meal comes in a cardboard pizza box... all of that stuff doesn't really matter at the end of the day. Yet, being in the day to day relationship it is so easy to get caught up in the small stuff and over time we allow those little annoyances to get to us causing big silly stupid arguments, trust me I knoooow!

Having taken these 7 months apart I have learned this: 1. How amazing, strong, dedicated and driven Mihai is to a country he was not born in and to his little family of three 2. A huge reminder at how strong, capable, dedicated, loyal and loving I am (sometimes we ladies need a good reminding of our true power and strength) 3. Our country is filled with very brave, dedicated, courageous men and women that serve our country every day. Their are also many men and women that are offering their own service while staying home alone and managing families and full time jobs as their loved ones risk their lives to protect our country. 4. That distance offers perspective, a fresh start, and a stripping away of silly stupid petty layers and exposing your relationship for what it is at the core allowing you the opportunity to observe the truth of your relationship.

Often times in our society we view time apart as a signal that there is something "wrong" in our relationship. Yet, I now believe that sometimes putting a little distance between your relationship can absolutely nurture your relationship and bring it back to its authentic state. This space allows you the opportunity to remember and appreciate who they really are and value your relationship from an entirely different place. I am NOT talking about the 7 months time apart that we had to take. Though full of learning it was challenging and often times anxiety provoking. I am speaking about allowing yourself more pockets of "me time." Perhaps a week with your ladies or your guys, a weekend away just by yourself, a solo night out to the movies, a yoga workshop, perhaps a new pottery class? The time that you give to yourself, away from your partner, nourishes you and makes your time with together that much more exciting and abundant.

As I sit here and type, I look around our home and yes the floors still need vacuuming, his hats are scattered all over the house, and a cardboard pizza box is jammed into the trash can from last nights dinner...."ahhhhhh!" screams my organized, detail oriented brain.. yet, I smile as I hear him and our Rudy dog snore in the other room and I hear my heart remind me...but he's here, Cala. He's home.

And that is what matters most.

Billy Joel sings whats in my heart

When you look into my eyes
And you see the crazy gypsy in my soul
It always comes as a surprise
When I feel my withered roots begin to grow
Well, I never had a place that I could call my very own
But that's alright my love,
'Cause your my home

When you touch my weary head
And you tell me ev'rything will be alright
You say use my body for your bed
And my love will keep you warm throughout the night
Well, I'll never be a stranger
And I'll never be alone
Where ever we're together that's my home

Home can be the Pennsylvania Turnpike
Indiana early morning dew
High up in the hills of California
Home is just another word for you

If I traveled all my life
And I never get to stop and settle down
Long as I have you by my side
There's a roof above and good walls all around
You're my castle, you're my cabin and my instant pleasure dome
I need you in my house 'cause you're my home

Missing Mihai

One Month

Almost at the one month mark. Crazy to think that it's been a month. It feels like just yesterday Mihai was heading off and in other ways it seems like its been forever since he left. I got his graduation date and will be seeing him on April 20th for his graduation and his citizenship swear in. As of April 21st Mihai will be a US citizen!!! We are very excited!!! I can't wait to see him and to give him a great big hug. I miss him a lot but also so proud of him. He's kicking butt and making a great impression with his courage, determination, and hard work as he always does.

Our 4 year anniversary will also be this month, 4 years on March 27th. What a great ride it's been full of lif'es lows and highs....but overall an awesome 4 years....some of the best of my life no doubt.

Getting more letters and I got a 5 minute phone call last weekend with an updated address. Apparantly he gave me the wrong address and hadn't been getting any of my letters poor guy!

Thats the latest and greatest now. Updates to follow!

LOVE

"Steady As We Go"

I walk half way around the world,
Just to sit down by your side.
And I would do most anything girl,
To be the apple of your eye.

Troubles they may come and go,
But good times they are the gold.
And if this road gets rocky girl,
Just steady as we go.

Any place you wanna go,
Know I'll be next to you.
If it's treasure baby you're looking for,
I'll search the whole world through.

Know troubles they may come and go,
But good times they're the gold.
So if the road gets rocky girl,
Just steady as we go.

When the storm comes,
You shelter me.
And I don't say a word,
And you know exactly what I mean.
In the darkest times,
You shine on me.
You set me free.
And keep me steady as we go.

So if your heart rings dry my love,
I will fill your cup.
And if your load gets heavy girl,
I will lift you up.

Troubles they may come and go,
But good times be the gold.
So if this road gets rocky girl,
Just steady as we go.

Ah
Hold me,
Shine on me.
Oh, shine, shine,
Shine on me.
Shine, shine
Yeah shine on me.
Hey shine.

Good Old Fashion Romance

I got three letters from Mihai this week and I get so excited each time I get a new one. It feels even better than Christmas morning. He is very sweet and writes a lot about the people, what fills his days and how amazing I am hahaa. These letters really help make me feel more connected to him, his experience and also have a way of just slowing things down. I wonder if there would be less confrontation in the world if people had to take the time to actually write things down. It requires you to be more selective and meaningful in what you say. When you type, text, it is so quick that I think leaves room for bigger miscommunication.

At any rate, hand written letters...I think this is an art form a beautiful romantic classic way to reach out to those you love. I think these need to make a serious comeback.

I miss Mihai but also very grateful to have him and those I love healthy safe and thriving. It will be so good to see him again and hear his voice.