Cigarettes to Yoga

Riding my bike in flip flops at 9 o'clock at night may not have been the smartest idea but if may just be one of the purest and present moments I have had in awhile. It was a summer moment, bringing me back to being 12 years old.

I spent that summer on my bike. I got all over town that way. It was my first taste of freedom, not having to depend on my mom for a ride. It was an amazing summer of memories that still make me laugh. Like sneaking out of Peggy Meenan's basement during a sleepover. There were 4 of us. Being out alone, when it was dark out, when we were supposed to be in Peggy's basement sleeping........terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. We left the bikes at the house that night and walked our way to 7 Eleven. We bought a pack of cigarettes. Parliament Lights, I believe, or whatever it was that Peggy's sister smoked. That was the only name we knew. There was noage limit then. Peggy got them for her sister all the time. She was so confident about doing it....until she got up to the counter. We all had our first cigarette on our way home that night. They all decided I looked the best smoking or holding the cigarette because my nails were painted red. A compliment I held dearly I must add.

SOOOO not a healthy or mature memory but it is a damn fun and lasting one.

It was the feeling of freedom. It was the feeling of good friends, sisterhood. It was being in the present moment. Being aware of the smells, sounds, sites, people, and feelings. It was the lack of worry about the next day. That night was long. It felt like it would never end. The summer was long and it was ours.

I felt the same way last night. This time in a very healthy and mature, as well as, lasting and damn fun way.

My bike ride was on the way home from an outdoor yoga class with the MAMAs. We met in the back of the elementary school. It had cooled off a bit and we set up under the trees. It was a beautiful and serene setting. As an old friend of mine taught a challenging yet supportive and heart opening yoga class to a bunch of mothers committed to living their best lives, I was humbled.

I have enjoyed every minute of this challenge. From the moment of inspiration, to the planning, to seeing the women commit and then actually show up! I get goose bumps just thinking about it all. We, my sister Liz and I, have long term goals for the MAMAs. We have dreams, big ones. Dreams I truly believe can be a reality if we commit with our whole hearts. I am excited about all of it. I am feeling charged. This can, at times, lead to anxiety and an "overwhelmed" cop out for me. I am choosing, today, not to go there.

This summer challenge has become so much more. It is not just about getting fit physically, mentally, and spiritually. It has become, for me, about the feeling of good friends, sisterhood. It is about being in the present moment. Being aware of the smells, sounds, sites, people, and feelings. I am reminded I don't need to know where it is all leading. Today...tonight...this challenge...............  this summer...... can be as long as we choose it to be.

This summer is ours.

I love it!