I have so many things I want to share with you today!
I just returned to Seattle from a much anticipated and much delayed trip back down to Venice and all I have to say is, "THANK YOU, VENICE!" You never disappoint.
But, really, that's not alllll I have to say. You, and by 'you' I mean, your geography, your beauty, your people, your air, your inspiration, your motivation, your yoga, your streets, your juice, your food, oh gosh, your foooood...I've missed you. You are my people. You are my community.
I have always felt that community and support are incredibly important and a huge priority in my own life, but I didn't truly realize how important they really were to me and how important they are for YOU until my recent (well, not so recent anymore) move.
While transitioning from the little gem of Venice, CA, where I spent 10 years building a life and a community, to my slowly-but-surely growing community in Seattle, WA, I've paid extra-close attention to the goodness that community brings me and how it lights me up and fuels a fire within me.
This week in Venice was full of the things that make me feel special, important, and sparked my drive for continuing on my path in this world. We all need to feel that from time to time. It was the little things that I experienced that brought me to grin from ear to ear and tempted me to squeeze every soul I met with. Bumping into familiar faces on the streets and stopping for a good conversation, walking up to the counter at my favorite coffee shop to have my drink already made just the way I like it waiting for me, receiving huge smiles from the servers at my local watering hole as I stroll in like I never left the place, getting waves from strangers as I sat on a stoop drinking my juice, simply because they are happy and the sun is shining, making new connections with people that are honest and good and true, talking growth and life and modern love with new friends and old friends, the warm feeling of practicing with my teachers again and seeing their expression of joy and happiness to have me back, and of course, catching up with dear close friends and getting squeezed so tightly that I didn't ever want them to let go. My heart left full and ready for more and ready to give more.
And it was my reminder that a good community and a good support system are beyond beneficial in helping you achieve your goals in life, to lift you up and to cheer you on, whether that is in your personal life, work life or the balance of happiness. You need those people, always.
Just like I shared in Number 6 of the '10 Lifestyle Changes for Lasting Health', "Surround yourself with people who boost you up and believe in you. Plain and simple. Your friends and family should want the best for you and to see you happy. Seek out workout partners with similar goals, someone you can share your journey with and someone to hold you accountable."
It's so simple. And it's so true. Thank you, Venice. I'll be back.