A Happy Birthday Thanks

It is not quite a week since I have returned back "home", although my oldest best friend says that she cannot call CA home for me yet!  I had a most enjoyable trip back to Boston and things have shifted in a wonderful way.

While the trip started off rough - delayed flights to the point of arriving early the next morning - somehow, I kept my cool.  I had planned and packed my meals and snacks, brought plenty of work to do with me and found a corner at the airport to do some yoga stretching!

My birthday was such a day of celebration - Lindsay and Scott kept it well under wraps about having family and friends surprise me at the restaurant where I thought it would be just us three.  I was delighted and felt such a loving connection to all present. 

Each day there were visits with friends and family, but the difference was that I felt less rushed, able to be present with each person I visited.  I believe this shift has begun as a result of moving from my fast-paced, check it off the list orientation to a bit slower, being in the moment style.  Of course, this was precisely part of my reason for the move.

It has always been the case that I have needed to remove myself from my environment in order to unplug.  Same with vacations - never would rest at home, but move me to a different environment and I would be able to decompress.

There were many highlights to my week - being with Linds and Scott, seeing Dad doing well, visiting with many family and friends, attending yoga every day and attending Ali and Mike's wedding.  Ali and Lindsay have been friends since the 3rd grade, much like Jeanne and I from the 2nd.  Things peaked with my singing with Jamie at his gig and then spending the day recording with both he and Chris for a CD I plan to release later this year.

I am now 60 - cannot quite believe it, yet, I also feel refreshed and ready for this new chapter in life.  The moral of the story - listen to the inner yearnings of your heart and soul and be present to yourself and each person you are with.

With love and gratitude,
Julie