I have been asked by Yoga Peach to write a little something on Karma.  I know that Karma is a big centralized part of her belief system and if it wasn’t mine before….it sure is now.  In a world where our sense of humanity can sometimes be clouded and maybe even lost all together, let me share with you a little excerpt from my life and how it became a little brighter this weekend….

I had been looking forward to this weekend forever.  A fun filled night in NYC with a long lost friend.  I bought a new outfit.  I made sure my makeup was perfect ( I’m a certified MAC makeup artist….remember this, it’ll be important later).  I drove the 2 hours into Flushing Queens and although I made a few wrong turns in Little Chinatown, I made it there safe and sound.  I’m a purse hoarder by nature.  My friends joke that at any given time I will have a can of tuna in my purse….and this, is entirely true.  So, being the giant purse wearer that I am, I neatly packed everything into my little Coach wristlet and prepared for the night.  The night quickly turned to morning and after having too much fun we decided to head back to Queens via Penn Station.  Have you ever been to Penn Station at 1am?  I don’t advise it.  It’s a corral of all sorts and can get a bit overwhelming.  I made sure my little wristlet was tucked under my arm and after much pushing and shoving with the rest of theflock, we decided that a cab was probably our best bet.  We made it…. We brushed our teeth…. We went to bed.

Let’s fast forward to girl talk in bed from 10am to 1pm milling over the goings on of the right before…Aleve…water….repeat.  Well it’s getting late and as much as I don’t want to leave, I do have to get back to the real world.  Crawling out of bed, I see my clothes in a neat pile alongside my shoes…….my purse…..wait, my purse?  Where is that purse?  Under the bed? Under the couch? In a random drawer?  The shower? (yes…I checked the shower)  and every other imaginable crevice 5 times over.  I start sweating…my heart pounds…then I stop, I breathe, I concentrate. What am I going to do?  MY KEYS! Without them I am stranded. Why would I put my keys in that purse? I wasn’t driving anywhere! Oh right…I’m a purse hoarder.

Have you ever tried to find a lost item that you left in a cab?  It’s torturous and I think NYC may do it on purpose to taunt you.. tomake you feel like you are a miniscule guppie in a world of sharks.  It screams… “ GO BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM, TOURIST!!!”….if you CAN get back at least, without your car keys.  After filing many reports online…calling many precincts in the city (which is always a gamble because they may or may not berate you) …. And crossing your fingers….youget it.  It’s lost…it will never be found, and this is your punishment for being less than smart.

Let’s get to that Karma shall we?  Long story short, I did make it back to CT, a day and a half later.  I borrowed a car and after much driving, I acquired my new license and a new car key. I accepted my fate.  My friend and I went back and forth on…. Are we the only good people left in this world?  We wouldsurely exhaust every effort to find the owner.  Sure, I’d be ok if my purse was stolen….my expensive perfume… but my car keys? Who wants those?  But, oh well…it is what it is….we move on and again, we are clouded by the lack of humanity and we schlep back to Queens to pick up my car.

*** 6pm last night, cell phone ringing, Unknown number from Ontario Canada ***

Me:  Hello?

Customer Service:  Hi, I’m calling from MAC (see…I told you to remember the MAC makeup)

Me: Ok? How can I help you?

Customer Service:  I’m calling because someone contacted us about a Coach…..

Me: WHAT?! MY PURSE?! SOMEONE FOUND MY PURSE?!

Customer Service:  Yes…*laughter*… she  contacted us because she couldn’t track you…

Que the proverbial squealing brakes. My face beaming…..

And after a quick thank you…I called my savior and we laughed and talked and shared how it had been found. Yes, I dropped it on the ground and at first she thought it was something she had dropped…and even if it wasn’t, she doesn’t like to leave the back of any cab dirty.  She didn’t want to give it to the cabbie because who’s to say what he would do with it anyway? And after 2 days of exhaustive efforts on Google and Social Media sites (I removed myself from being searchable because of my job)…she was starting to give up until her just as awesome mother suggested so contact MAC. I drove to Astoria, we shared some more laughs, she scoffed at any idea of a finder’s fee, and after a long, hard and genuine embrace, I was on my way.

I opened my purse as we were pulling away as to not offend her and question her morals.  EVERYTHING was still in there…my Long Island Rail Card (which she could have used), my credit cards….and even,… My $3.00 cash…everything.  My friend and I just stared at each other in disbelief.  Did that really just happen? Did someone really just surprise me? She took my world and flipped it upside down.  I scolded myself for thinking the worst. Why wouldn’t I think that someone would be like me….my circle….? Why do we think such horrible things about our fellow man?  Maybe its engrained in us through things like Social Media, news outlets and the complaints of others….but if we just take a step back, breathe and believe in each other then things like this really can happen….yes, even in the Big Apple.  Karma can be a bitch…but she sure can be pretty darn wonderful sometimes.  Thank you Sharice, my admiration is overflowing. You gave me back more than just a purse. You gave me back my sense of humanity. Be Kind to One Another….

There is a comfort and joy in having old friends that I will not deny. But present and future happiness and success depends on more than just history alone. The people you surround yourself with, you almost become. We are all energy. Regardless of your individual strength who you chose to surround yourself does to some degree influence your present and future.

I had an interesting conversation about this recently with a newer friend who seems to just “get me.” I’m not suggesting giving up long time friends who may not have as much in common with you or may not quite understand your current goals and dreams. In fact, you should keep these friends.  They came into our lives for a reason and we have memories we cherish with these friends.  But friendships, like most things in your life, may need updating. Your friends should bring out the best in you, encourage you, understand you, and connect with you. Connection can be tricky and I think it’s a rare thing. But when it exists, it’s significant and empowering. If you want to have greatness in your life, surround yourself with great people. If you strive to be happy, fulfilled, confident and successful, surround yourself for the most part with people who are the same. Stick to your values and beliefs and you’ll attract the right people.  Continue to grow, evolve and dream and find like-minded people in the process.  Believe in yourself.

Choose your company wisely. Surround yourself with those who understand you and bring out the best in you. Your direction you wish to lead in life is influenced by it. And while you’re at it, have the courage to be a supportive and kind friend to those who choose you.

Reflecting back on this past year, I look back with feelings of extreme joy mixed with extreme sadness.  This year has brought new challenges I never knew could exist, some of which are very painful.  The year has also has brought me incredible opportunities and learning experiences which in turn has made me grow and much stronger. I am grateful for all of the very amazing things that have come into my life, especially opportunities through yoga and my experiences this year as a birth doula.  I can not explain in writing how much my heart is filled with happiness as I work with women and couples who bring new life into our world. I also want to thank each and every one of you for your continued support as you play a very significant roll in my Yoga Peach and Lil’ Berry journey.

Tonight at sunset began one of the holiest and most important days of the year in the Jewish calendar.  This day is the last chance to change the judgment, to demonstrate your repentance and make amends.   People who observe seeks forgiveness from friends, family and co-workers and attempt to mend their relationship with God.  You are supposed to refrain from eating and drinking (even water) on Yom Kippur and those who are even more observant do not work, bathe, engage in physical exercise, and refrain from sexual relations.

I observe the holiday through yoga by taking this day to observe culturally and reflect on my past year, my behavior, and to remind myself just as I do in every time I am on my mat to be the very best I can be to myself and everyone who surrounds me.

I understand the importance of this holiday, although I feel it is important all year long to be the best person we can be-every single day.   We must ask for forgiveness whenever we’ve done wrong, correct and learn from situations we’ve put ourselves in that may not be right, and make a conscious effort to mend relationships with all of the people in our lives.   Every time I step foot onto a yoga mat I’m reminded “To whom or what will you dedicate today’s practice to?” and reminded to treat everyone, including myself, the best we are capable.  It is important that I seek forgiveness at the time I make the mistake and make my situations right as they happen.

Yoga of Yom Kippur  I will set aside 60 minutes to practice yoga and meditation in silence today, washing away pain I carry from what I have done wrong in the past year, forgiving myself for my mistakes, asking for forgiveness from anyone I have hurt, set new intentions for the year to come, and focus on achieving peace of mind and acceptance.  I will sit in silence and meditate.  Silence and stillness is one of the best things for the mind and body.   I will observe the movement and sound of only my breathe.  I will listen to my body throughout my practice today, flowing with grace.

Acknowledge today that we are human, we make mistakes, and we must forgive ourselves and one another.  Set intentions to be your very best today and every day. Peace, health, and love.  Cheers to 5773.  XO  Yoga Peach