Change, Patience, Gratitude...Repeat
These three words describe my spring/summer: change, patience, and gratitude. Change + patience: We bought a new home and had six weeks of waiting before we could move in (the place we'd rented for those weeks fell through at the last minute), so we had to live nomadically, staying with friends here and there. I figured it would be an adventure, but after the first few weeks the "adventure" wore off and that's when patience had to kick in. Lots of it: deep breathing, journaling, and talking with friends helped. Not having my own kitchen was the hardest part; I had to say goodbye to my green smoothies for awhile. :-( I did get creative, however, and figured out new ways to live fairly healthily despite all the wandering, and I'll share some of my quick tricks in the coming months.
More change:
Adding to that, I decided to let the studio go where I've been teaching Barre and Pilates for the past three years. It's been an incredible place, but I felt the tug of doing something new. Our new home has a separate studio just the right size for teaching and meeting clients, so...I closed my eyes and jumped. I'm thrilled to be trying something new, but nervous as well. I'm a big believer in the idea that if we don't listen to that voice inside of us (even when it feels terrifying and your stomach is in knots) and follow our gut instincts, we stop growing. As the great Abraham Maslow says, "You will either step forward into growth, or you will step back into safety." I'm all about growth, baby.
Gratitude:
I want to give a HUGE thank you to our friends who reached out during this trying time, giving us places to stay, having us for dinner, calling to check in and offer assistance. Just typing these words brings tears to my eyes...my gratitude for you runneth over. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
We're beginning to settle into our new home now and I taught my first Barre class yesterday in my new space and it was quite lovely.I've also been cooking up my new fall schedule (about all I could cook for six weeks!). See below for what's coming: Barre/Pilates classes, 7-day detox, and an Embrace Transformation 8-Week Program, starting in Sept.
Remember, change is GOOD! If you've been wanting to try something new but haven't been quite ready, now might be your time. What have you got to lose? There may be amazing lessons to be learned. Just close your eyes...and step forward.
Kale and strawberries! Stephanie