January 21st.

Last night we raised a glass to toast the new President. The group at yoga was small, having been moved from our big Sanctuary to my place--it's a bit more intimate. We spent the first 20 minutes discussing our impressions of the day, and since we were all of like mind, our excitement was evident. It was hard to settle down to yoga--living so close to DC made it possible to actually feel the wave of energy emanating from those millions on the mall-- but I know how important it is to breathe deep, settle in and be in the moment.

Keeping level is important. Throughout the last eight years, those of us that realized the magnitude of the events occurring without our control, without our input, had to learn to bide our time. Those years were very important because we had to learn to go with the flow, trust in a better time to come. To learn the truth of what is up...will come down... and pray for the time when what is down will be salvaged. This is where we are. And yes, though we celebrate, it remains important to stay level. We know in our hearts that the road is long and filled with ups and downs. We need to stay in our hearts, in this moment, in this time.





One of my favorite cards in the Osho deck is Success:

It seems so relevant today. Especially with the tiger walking on the world. It's all about riding the tiger of success, celebrating with a tickertape parade... "enjoy it, and share your joy with others - and remember that all bright parades have a beginning and an end. If you keep this in mind, and squeeze every drop of juice out of the happiness you are experiencing now, you will be able to take the future as it comes without regrets. But don't be tempted to try to hold on to this abundant moment, or coat it in plastic so that it lasts forever. The greatest wisdom to keep in mind with all the phenomena in the parade of your life, whether they be valleys or peaks, it that 'this too will pass'. Celebrate, YES, and keep on riding the tiger.

Enjoy the peak while it lasts and then enjoy the valley when it comes. What is wrong with the valley? What is wrong with being low? It is a relaxation. A peak is an excitement, and nobody can exist continuously in an excitement."

This is what President Obama was saying in his inaugural address and over and over in all his speeches since he was elected. We must stay level and not allow the highs and lows to rule our consciousness. We have learned that things are never in our control.. they never were... and we can survive and learn from others mistakes as much as our own. In many ways we are blessed with new knowledge of what is important: working with others, not trusting that 'big daddy' will take care of us...sometimes we need to seize the moment and trust our instincts and do what our hearts tell us to do-- and most importantly, not allow fear to stop us from doing it. And let us not forget Hope.. it's a real generator of change.

I am breathing in and breathing out... just a bit easier now. Namaste'