The Calvary

So yesterday the Calvary came in.... or Mighty Mouses "here I come to save the day!" Our bestest buddies came in and helped Barry with his project. And look what happened:

From here--

To Here--

Yep, they got all the Sheetrock done! In one day!!! Look at the light in this room:

And that's late in the day since we overslept... cause of that rotten football game and the drowning of our sorrows. It's also missing one of the windows that we had to send out for repair! Here's more:

That's where the built in pantry on the utility room side and built in desk and storage spaces on the room side go. Here's what we're looking at when we do our Sun Salutations:

That's the back corner window looking out to the veranda HAHAHA.... Oh how we do put on airs... the other windows look out to sky.... can you tell I am totally psyched?

If you see my good buddies today, give them an extra squeeze for us, we don't know how to thank them. They are just the salt of the earth, you know?

Off to Mud. The nail pops are a callin'

On being awake.

"If you follow no other truth, follow the truth that within your being is called joy. If you follow that, you're always going to be right where you need to be, and you will always have life within your being."

~~Sheradon Bryce Inspirational Author and Teacher

Got that in my email this morning. You ever have those insights that you know deep down inside but cannot enunciate? I've had some very profound truths circulating around me in the last few months but when I try to communicate them I sound like a fool. In fact, I have noticed a shift in my students/friends as I have been exploring these truths. I suspect some think I may be going off the deep end. LOL! I've had some interesting questions lately....

Right on the tip of my tongue (or the center of my heart) is the idea that life is REALLY as simple as I think. That dropping all knowledge that has been given by others and simply resting in the truth IS the truth. It's not that the knowledge is not worthy, in fact, I would not be where I am today without all the wonderful insights that others have brought. But there does come a point where you need to stop searching and realize what you've found. Seeking truth is fine, but resting in the truth is also fine.

So many times we think if we just get that huge cosmic AHA moment that we seek, we have reached enlightenment, nirvana, heaven, whatever you want to call it. And so when we get it, and the next day comes and we still have to do laundry, we go back to seeking. Maybe that wasn't it. But the real AHA comes when you are doing that laundry. With joy. Aware. Being one with the laundry.... seriously. Breathing in and breathing out.

"Are you the Messiah?"

"No", answered Buddha.

"Then are you a healer?"

"No", Buddha replied.

"Then are you a teacher?" the student persisted.

"No, I am not a teacher."

"Then what are you?" asked the student, exasperated.

"I am awake", Buddha replied.

Awake. Not living on auto pilot, running the same script over and over in your head. Not spending all your time rehashing what you can't do, what you don't have time for, what isn't possible because of your parents, children, spouse, past. Not walking around with a huge exclamation mark in your head.

But awake. How does the keys under your fingers feel when you type? Isn't the tic tic sound kinda pleasing? Mmmm, that sip of coffee.... and oh, that breath, how it releases my shoulders again and again.

Yoga last night was heavenly. Just when I think I'm too fat, too old, too stressed, too anything, a forward bend captures my awakeness and reminds me of how wonderful life really is. Mmmmm. Yeah. Deep Breath.

Did Reiki upon waking this morning. Mmmmm. Yeah. Deep Breath.

And now laundry. Mmmm. Yeah. Fabric softener is a wonderful enlightenment tool. Deep Breath.

Have a marvelous day!

My Newsletter Text

Happy New Year!

When we put down ideas of what life should be like, We are free to wholeheartedly say yes to our life as it is. ---Tara Brach

I know, I know, it's resolution time! Shouldn't we be putting down ideas of what life should be like? The answer is a resounding NO! The minute we start thinking of all we don't have or that we don't do or what we are doing wrong, we begin to feel that something is lacking. Either in ourselves or those around us. The Buddhist's version of the 10 commandments is known as the 5 Remembrances. They are:

I will grow old.

This body will know sickness.

There is no escape from death.

Everything and everyone changes.

All I have are my actions.

At first glance, you may think I'm just trying to bring you down..... "jeez, Linda, thanks a lot for reminding me I'm gonna die!..." but take a second look. So much of the struggle we have is wrapped around trying to change what we cannot change. Learning to accept what is, even embrace it, helps us to live with gratitude and joy. That doesn't mean we don't try and improve ourselves, in fact, once we accept the first 4 and stop fighting the inevitable, we find a large amount of energy that we were spending unnecessarily on things outside of ourselves. When we use that energy to "change the things I can change", namely ourselves, you will find it much easier to lose that 20 pounds, read more books, do more yoga, be more available to your family.... all the things we resolve to do each year.

We practice this frequently in yoga. How many times have you heard me say, "drop into your pose and then let go of the muscles you don't need to hold the pose?" In other words, let all the rest fall away and then watch the source of energy well up and give you the strength to focus on what you need. By attending to yourself, you will joyfully begin to attend to all the other facets of your life, wholeheartedly saying YES! to all that is and all that will be.

~~With peace & joy, Linda

January News

Yoga Schedule:

Classes resume at World Gym on January 2nd.
Monday & Wednesdays at 10:30am

CCPC classes resume on January 3rd.

Extra Gentle Yoga 5:30pm Tuesdays only.
All Level Yoga 7pm Tuesdays & Thursdays

Private Classes will continue to expand-- see website for details and calendar.

February Sneak Peak: On February 2nd I will be offering a full day Restorative Yoga Retreat!
If you've attended these before you know how relaxing it is to have a full day of rejuvenation. If you haven't, you are in for a real treat! 2 yoga sessions, morning eye openers--extra long afternoon restorative session with pillows, cushions, props will ease you into the quiet you need to restore your soul! 10am to 4pm. Lunch, snacks, and a special gift included! Sign up now! http://www.yolinna.com/ Space is limited.


SoulCollage Schedule:
January 19th 10:00am to 4:30pm
"Introduction to SoulCollage Workshop"

SoulCollage* is a process through which you contact your intuition and create an incredible deck of cards which have deep personal meaning and which will help you with life's questions. Come join us for a full day of relaxation and rejuvenation to usher in the New Year with a New Spirit of Self Discovery. Join SpiritedSouls, Linda & Sheree, as they lead you through this fascinating, creative journey. All materials and a warm lunch provided! Already familiar with SoulCollage*? Join us in the afternoon to cut and create. $75 Full Day, $35 Half Day. Bring a friend and both receive $10 off! Space is limited, Sign up today!




January 25th 7pm-10pm
"SpiritedSouls Card Building Fun"

Spend some quality time with like-minded SoulCollage artists as we cut and paste, making new cards in a fun, casual atmosphere. We will hold an Open Studio the last Friday of each month for us to have a relaxing space to share new ideas and continue our journey of self discovery. $15 covers cost of materials, facilitating and refreshments. Newcomers welcome.
February Sneak Peak: Card Reading Circles AND a Special Valentine Archetype Workshop! Stay tuned as we continue to evolve with this great process.

Reiki Events:
January 21st 7pm to 9pm
Reiki Energy Night at CCPC

February Sneak Peak: I am adding an extra Reiki Drop In the first Sunday afternoon of each month--Stay tuned!

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A New Year's Re-Soul-ution Suggestion:

_________ was truly interested in whatever you had to say. She was equally passionate about the things she loved, from Mountain Dew to her mate. Her love for life burned hot in her soul and she gave it space to bubble up within her. You could see it in her eyes, her smile, and in the very movement of her body. There was a vibrant aura of beauty around her and after I got to know her better, I realized that it was rooted and grounded in her total acceptance of herself. Her passion for life was centered in the belief that she was special, worthy, loved.

Let it be YOUR NAME that fills in the blank.

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*Final Big News!

As I write this, my husband is hard at work on some major renovations to our home. With Yoga, Reiki & SoulCollage being such a huge part of my life, I have begun to feel like a wandering minstrel dragging my wares from place to place. After toting magazines, cushions, my massage table, etc. I decided it would be really cool to have a central spot for all of this. One big enough to do private yoga....and reiki....and soulcollage... without having to pay exorbitant rent which will remove my ability to charge low fees for activities...you get the picture (sneak peak). We are hoping it will be finished in time for a big Open House at the end of the month. Stay tuned-- Save the Date: January 26th.....

When we are enthusiastic we are intoxicated with passion rooted in our true selves and it flows into all we do. ---Linda Saccoccio

"True religion is real living; living with all one's soul, with all one's goodness, all one's honesty." ~Albert Einstein

"Whether you think you can or you think you can't, either way you are right." ~~Henry Ford

Namaste' and a blessed New Year to you!

Linna

Yolinna Spirit and SpiritedSouls
Sheree's website and email

For more details on all these events and to view the newsletter in it's original colorful state with pictures, visit my website:
http://www.yolinna.com/

Is anyone else having trouble with blogger refusing to double space?

Woo Hoo New Year!

That "High Hopes" song keeps running through my head.

Just what makes that little old ant, think he can move that rubber tree plant?
Everyone knows an ant can't.... move a rubber tree plant.
But he's got High Hopes, He's got High Hopes.... he's got High apple pie in the Sky Hopes!


I feel that way about the New Year. H-h-h-i-i-i-i-g-g-g-h-h- Hopes! I don't know why, it just feels like it's gonna be a special year. The year where I put it all together, where all the work and study and the work and the meditations and the hopes and the work all come together. And the biggest insight of all? It's not about the work!!! Kinda hard to explain, you know?


But yesterday after we smudged the house and each other and the dog, burned our things to let go of, put fresh Reiki energy in each room and each person that wanted it (just Barry & Rhia & Me, alas, Paris and Cory weren't having any of it), put the crystals in the heart centers and said prayers of thanks and safety and peace in the New Year, I sat down and did a SoulCollage reading. Just think, last year, I was not Reiki attuned AND had never heard of SoulCollage--whoa!


Here's my reading:



Committee Card:
My Inner Mothra

I am the One who loves to create a warm, comfortable home for my family and friends. I am the one who cooks and decorates to create a loving environment. I am the one who is happy puttering around the house.

Community Card:

My Loyal Companions

We are the Ones who bring you delight and laughter. We are loyal and forgiving. We just want love. We are cute and cuddly, just wanting you to pet us and give us attention. We bring you awareness of how simple life really can be.


Companion Card:

Crown Chakra-- Dove

I am the One who is with you always. I bring you light and comfort whenever you need it. My arms are continually around your shoulders, smoothing you out, lending you support and reminding you what's really important. Open your crown and I will fly into your heart.

Council Card:

My Angel Guides (first time this card has come up)

We are your spirit guides. You can call on us for help, for comfort and we are there. We are the ones who bring clarity, light and the love of the Nativity. We watch you from above creating tranformation. Together with the Dove, we wrap you in the safety of our wings and quietly give you strength. Close your eyes, we are there.

High Hopes 2008!