Dear Friends,
Join Us For These Upcoming Celebrations!
Please save the dates for the following 6 special birthday celebrations during the next 3 weeks!
All classes are held at UUMarin (240 Channing Way in San Rafael).
Saturday, April 25th 9:30am-10:30am Stop Drop and Dance
Happy Birthdays Gina Daly and Jenn Macievich!
THEME: Represent your favorite school by wearing their logo, mascot, or colors!
Tuesday, April 28th 9:30am-10:45am Stop Drop and Dance
Happy Birthdays Alison Williams and Angela Hart!
THEME: Wear spring colors!
Saturday, May 2nd 9:30am-10:30am Stop Drop and Dance
Happy 60th Birthday Tanya Burdick!
THEME: TBD
Thursday, May 7th 9:30am-10:45am Stop Drop and Dance
Happy Birthday Marsha Cellar!
THEME: The Devil Wears Prada!
Please note there will be NO CLASSES Wednesday, April 29th or Thursday, April 30th because 22 of us will be dancing together at our 3-Day Monterey Retreat!
The Practice of Joy
The beginning half of last week was another torturous 72-hour migraine attack.
On most days, I have a stiff neck and a very dull ache in my head. I am fully functioning and able to still be very productive, however I am mindfully and continuously stretching and self-massaging my neck and head driving in the car, when sitting in chairs, and laying down in my bed at night.
On really good days, I feel light, carefree, and completely fantastic. Those are the days when I start to reorganize my closets and clean out the pantry (something I hate), simply because I feel so great.
On really bad days, like last week, I am just trying to take one breath at a time until the 3 days pass. Those days, I still show up for my obligations, but I am helpless, nauseated, weak, defeated, and in so much pain.
This is not the first time I have shared about my migraines, and unfortunately, it won't be the last time. I truly believe migraines are my God-given affliction, a suffering I was "gifted" for the past 30 years. No matter how painful the migraines are, they helped to transform me into who I am today, and:
to help me look UP
to remember to stay humble
to share compassion with others' hurts
to deeply appreciate even the smallest things
to follow a life rooted in gratitude
to spread kindness and love
to never lose hope
to be joyful.
We all have a unique story made up of our own life experiences and our different afflictions, however, we are all the same in that we live a life filled with both light and darkness. Our stories are meant to be shared with one another, as inspiration and hope, as encouragement and support, and as a method of growing and healing. None of us are ever truly alone and the secret to overcoming anything, I believe, is the practice of being joyful through it all.
"Joy doesn't have to wait until the hard stuff is over. It can exist in simple, ordinary moments alongside the mess. Joy isn't a reward for overcoming pain; it's the practice that helps us get through it."
- Lori Deschene
Love,
Grace
