.sita sings the blues.

Recently a lovely lady friend who blogs over at catnip and mint, turned me on to what looks like a fabulous film. "Sita Sings the Blues" is a loose retelling of the Ramayana, an epic Sankskrit tale. The filmmaker, Nina Parley, describes it as, "a tale of truth, justice and a woman’s cry for equal treatment." Anything that gets a little lady-love out into contemporary media sounds worth a watch to me. Not to mention the AMAZING-SAUCE songs featured in the movie from '20s singer Annette Hanshaw. And did you see how rad the animation style is?! Ms. Parley is one talented ma'am. 

The best part? You can watch the entire thing for FREE right here on the interwebs. FREE for REALSIES. 

.shanti.

.gratitude.

The other day I stopped at Target to get a few things on my way home. As I was checking out, the cashier asked me a question, but it was not the standard, "how are you today?" Rather, he asked, "is your day all you hoped it would be?" It really made me stop and reflect for a second, in a way that "how are you today?" doesn't.  After I took that extra second to think about it, the answer was YES and it felt amazing to realize it. I think the cashier was trying to be quirky and not necessarily to provoke self-reflection, but his twist on the usual banality allowed me a moment of intense gratitude while I reflected on my day, and I felt my smile go from face, all the way down to my toes.

Studies show that practicing gratitude will actually make you happier in the long run. In the same way that misery loves company, so does happiness. It can also reduce anxiety, help you fall asleep, and help keep you healthy.

One of my friends and fellow teacher trainees passed on this quote, which is a real thinker:

"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." -- Buddha

Okay, so I know we can't all be the Buddha, and sometimes it's hard to see the forest for the trees. But even on the worstest, most awfullest,  most crummiest days (actually, ESPECIALLY on those days!) try and think of one small thing you're grateful for: hot coffee in the morning, your pet waiting for you when you get home, or the feeling of your favorite sweater still warm from the dryer. It doesn't have to be anything big. Trust me, though. You'll thank me. 

Grateful for this doofus? Totally. :)

.shanti.

.walk the labyrinth.

I thought this was a particularly good image to start this new blog off with. Ya'know, an image of a path leading to unknown ends? A little dramatic, are we?

 I don't know if this was created to be a meditation labyrinth or not, but it certainly makes a beautiful one, either way. My husband and I came across this on a recent hike in Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, and it would make for a wonderful walking meditation.

And if you ever find yourself in San Francisco on a Tuesday night, stop by Grace Cathedral and check out Yoga on the Labyrinth. Beautiful. Delightful. Heart melting. 

.shanti.