Namaste - Grayslake Photographer and Writer

I've been practicing yoga for 2 years now.  I remember my very first yoga class and how challenging it was.  I found Anna's class shortly after I started going to the Yoga Effect.  I really connected with her style of teaching.  I didn't even realize she was the owner of the studio until a few months later.

"Hug in muscularly, " Anna would say.  
She even spent time with me one on one to work on my hand stand.

We shared challenges regarding change and she always had words of wisdom.  But she didn't just give me words, she showed me with her actions.  Moving is one of the biggest changes a family could undergo, not to mention stepping away from a wonderful thriving business.  Anna has handled it with such grace and peace.  

Her last class was last week.   I cried on the way to class and on the way home.  I felt it, sadness.  I allowed it to come the rest of the day.  While I made dinner I cried some more.  I made some space where it was okay to feel sad.

I was losing a teacher, a guide, a role model, and friend.

Before I would allow emotions to overwhelm me.  Then I pushed "negative" emotions away.  Now, I consciously "see" them come and go.  This type of sadness is much more peaceful.  Not the type that you surrender to but the kind you open your heart to.  It's an active sadness and the act is love.
  

Anna, thank you for sharing who you are with me for 2 years.  You are truly a gift.  Keep sharing your gift with others because you are changing the world one yogi at a time.

May you be happy, healthy and peaceful.  Namaste.

Weather - Grayslake Area Family Photographer and Writer

We went to Vicksburg, Mississippi for one day to tour the infamous battlefield.  Unfortunately, that morning it was raining.  Although our plans would probably be a wash out we decided to go any way, we had come a long way.   We couldn't change the weather but we weren't going to let it ruin our day.

Finding some cover under the trees until the rain stopped (above).
It stopped raining and we headed to the battlefield grounds.  

For several hours, whenever we looked up it seemed as though the storm would come again.

But then all of a sudden the clouds started to break apart.

We could see the sun and it was shining brightly over Mississippi.

We weathered the storm and it changed to clear blue skies.

We have little control over the outer weather patterns as we make our way through the landscape of life.  But we can become masters of the inner landscape, finding peace in knowing change is right around the corner.