The Green Light District

Currently I'm in the midst of a love affair with my neighborhood. I have lived in the Santa Monica/ Venice area for over a year but ever so recently I've started to fully appreciate how fortunate I am to have landed a spot at my beachside abode. Now having the ability to bike to work in the Venice area, I've been granted with the additional luxury of an opportunity to enjoy this bright, friendly beachside city. The waking hours of my mornings are perhaps some of my favorite spent here. You can be assured I will be walking those extra three blocks in order to get my favorite cup of joe, and stopping by the farmer's market to get fresh cut sunflowers. I can truly spend my full weekend days getting entirely immersed in this bustling little hub. One of my absolute favorite things about my neighborhood is that my yoga studio is just so situated that it's too close to drive, but far enough away to bike. I spend many weekend afternoons biking home from an excellent yoga class in sheer bliss. Just these past several weeks spent biking to work rather than commuting on the major freeways of Los Angeles has tremendously improved my quality of life. Don't think there is anywhere that can pull me away from this wonderful beachside community...other than San Francisco perhaps!

Photos: Jon Snyder- wired.com, yelp, mainstreetsm.com

Smile, Breathe, and Go Slowly

 

 

 

Gratitude has been one of those topics that's been on my mind a great deal lately. It's an incredible feeling when you physically feel overcome with joy out of sheer gratitude. For me it's one of those emotions that sneaks up. A number of things call forth this emotion; post Savasana bliss after an exceptional power yoga class, a gorgeous hike on a bright sunny, day, or the simple delight from a fresh, home-made meal. It never seizes to amaze me the tremendous power that this feeling brings forth. A joy arising simply from marveling over all that you have been lucky enough to receive in life, the people you have been fortunate to cross paths with, and the opportunities that have unfolded before you. As much as its become almost a fad to give this oh-so cliché pointer, simply taking a few moments out of your day, each and every day, to stop and truly revel in the beauty of your life can make it just that...a very beautiful life. 

Beginning with this new year I have been quite blessed with an extraordinary new work opportunity which has granted me the opportunity to experience many of my day to day joys; biking to work, enjoying the waking hours of the morning with exercise, coffee, and a good breakfast, and learning something which I am truly excited to gain additional knowledge. Considering my naturally risk averse nature...being a Virgo primarily and holding sole responsibility for my financial security secondarily, this opportunity and new start came through more of a leap of faith than through any amount of luck, and for that I am very grateful that I had the courage to take the jump.

These photos are a collection of the many things which I derive much of my happiness and simple joys from: beauty in nature, yoga, eclectic cities, works of art, and of course, cute men on bikes! 

Photos: www.yogadvd.net, Studded Hearts blogspot