the release

while it did not technically occur on the night of the winter solstice, there was a wee releasing ceremony on a bright breezy sunday morning.

a year's collection of regrets, hurts and worn-out habits scrawled on bits of paper like tiny white flags of surrender, bundled and bound with an offering of sage.

smoke and ashes lifted by the wind and carried away...

thank you.

a good year

twentytwelve:  ten things i liked about you

1. there was courage to leave the job that was smothering me
2. there was something better and brighter and way more me to replace it
3. working with meg:  more greens, more breath, more space for what's next
4. walks in the woods with my favorite person and a corgi who loves to hike
5. yogaville and yoga festivals and just plain yoga
6. kindreds
7. solstice fires, new years day picnics, country roads
8. letting go
9. becoming vegetarian
10. the karma garden

thank you.

see previous year-end-slash-gratitude-slash-foot-shots-collections here.

(p.s.  those pointy-toed ballet flats get some mileage!)

peace

"this is the way of peace:  overcome evil with good, and falsehood with truth, and hatred with love."
-peace pilgrim

"peace is always beautiful."
-walt whitman

"all we are saying is give peace a chance."
-john lennon

have a beautiful christmas, loves.

how to love a gypsy job

1.  choose the best navigation system so you don't lose your way.

2.  seek out rainbows and blue skies.

3.  eat pancakes.

4.  when you miss your home remember that love can be found anywhere and everywhere.

5.  greet the day with gratitude.  and yoga.

6.  hotel rooms are bland and plastic...find sparkle and warmth.

7.  make it a quest to discover the best pho (veggie burger, margarita, etc.) in each city you frequent.

8.  explore on foot.

9.  show a classic roadside diner some love.

10.  every town has a main street.  shop and eat local no matter where you are.

11.  when you spot a brightly painted barn on the side of the highway, slow down, pull over and say hello.

sparks

have i ever told you that my nickname (well, one anyway) is sparks?

(because my last name is parks and i can be a wee bit temperamental at times.)

coffee please

a whirlwind two weeks, that's what's in store.

lunch lately

when i accepted this lovely gypsy job of mine, i was a bit concerned that all the traveling would pose a huge challenge to healthy eating.  turns out, i've had the best time discovering whole foods and vegetarian restaurants in the cities i've visited.  and my lunches have never been more nourishing.

a different drummer

today i am 48.  a happy 48.  i am loved, safe, healthy.  and (maybe, finally) understood.

i received a birthday card from my mom and dad yesterday.  it was the first sentiment i've received from my parents that felt like true understanding.  it refers to (and celebrates) me as a "true original" and "someone who dances to her own beat".  this may seem trivial to some, but this 5x8 hallmark card represents forty-eight years of struggle on all our parts:  me, a quirky girl with a imaginative mind, daring ideas and endless curiosity, fighting (sometimes literally) to be who she is and them, concerned parents desperately wishing for a more grounded, agreeable and traditional child.

it's the best gift ever:  being loved and accepted for who you are.

speaking of birthdays, i am on the faith squared advent calendar with a little nod to another december baby.  (it may be later today when it goes live.)

the image above is a shot of rusty belle performing on the charlotteville walking mall on saturday.  how much do you love his drum built from scraps, a pan and a baby shoe?  and his swanky sunshine shoes?  pure joy.  i wish you could have heard the music.

inspired: advent

the beautiful girls over at faith squared are sponsoring the loveliest of online advent calendars.  each day of advent there is a bit of seasonal beauty and words of inspiration and grace.  i'm so happy to be involved with this project.  i've added a link to the calendar on my sidebar.

happy december loves.

hello december

inspire me.