Friday Mettā?
Monday Mettā … on a Friday
Today’s mettā is simple:
May I be in joy. May all beings be in joy.
In other words, enjoy.
When I first started taking good care of myself, I had to figure out what “good care” looked like. It didn’t look like what it had in the past: watching TV in bed for five hours on a Saturday, hungry, because I was so exhausted from the week I couldn’t even get out of bed to pour myself some cereal; pushing my body past its limits with exercise or food restrictions; complaining to a friend for three hours in the hopes I could vent it all out. At some point those things were right for me, but as I changed, so did my good care. I began to seek out joy.
I read—books I liked, and stopped reading books I didn’t. I walked a lot, at a reasonable pace and for a reasonable amount of miles. I lay in bed less, exhausted no more (it helped that I left my job and started working in hours that I chose and on work that was not draining). I left social media, which gave me more brain space, more peace, fewer endorphins, but that price was just fine to pay. I took myself on trips, whether across the ocean or across town. And I dreamed, acted on those dreams, dreamed again. I allowed myself to be in awe of one thing or another throughout my day. Laughter became a constant.
My good care began to look and feel a lot like my kind of joy.
On January 1, 2020, I took myself to Kripalu for a day-long New Year’s retreat, trying a new form of good care, to see what this kind of joy felt like. Despite living near the center for 35 summers, I had never been there before. I did yoga, ate their delicious and cinnamon-filled food, felt awkward being there alone, felt better in the gift shop, walked the labyrinth, had my first experience in the Akashic Records, and did a lot of sitting. It was peaceful and it was joyful.
Because I am easily inspired and like to try new things, I decided to run my own New Year’s Day retreat the year after. I had only been teaching yoga and meditation for 6 months and was so nervous, but found myself supported and lifted up by those who attended. It was joyful. Now, with this year as my third retreat, I truly begin my New Year in joy.
Your joy may not look exactly like mine. In my mettā today, I offer your kind of joy—perhaps it is delightful, humorous, relaxing, or special. Perhaps it is bed and TV all day. And if you’re interested, I’m offering 8 ways to joy on Sunday, as well.
Lots of love in this new year,
Rachel
🕯New Year’s Day (Virtual) Retreat
With 8 events to choose from, there’s something for everyone.
Perhaps you’re a New Year’s “resolution” kind of person. Set intentions, aspirations, and reflect by coming to our journaling session at 11:30, group tarot reading at 1:30, or creating your vision board at 2.
Maybe you like to move your body after a night of celebrating! Come to 9:30 gentle yoga, noon yoga, or Yin yoga at 3:30.
You might just want to get calm. There’s mettā meditation at 10, journaling at 11:30, and Yin yoga at 3:30.
And there’s always tea & smiles!
Schedule of Events // all times in US Eastern Time:
✨
9:30 Gentle Yoga Flow with Rachel, 30 min
A nice, gentle class to get the blood moving as we work to deepen the breath.
10:00 Metta Meditation with Rachel, 20 min
A loving-kindness meditation; it opens up the heart to spread love to those around you and most importantly, to yourself.
10:30-10:50 Tea and Smiles, 20 min- open to all!
Grab a mug of tea and make yourself comfortable. We'll just look at each other over Zoom and send the love. It's awkward and lovely and is my husband's favorite.
Break
11:30 Journal + Reflect with Rachel & Leonor, 25 min
Bring the ol' pen and paper, or your computer, and come with an open heart. We'll be reflecting and dreaming together, setting aspirations for the year to come.
NOON Yoga Flow with Leonor, 30 min
Yoga to warm up the muscles and fire up the breath.
Lunch break
1:30 Intuitive Tarot Reading and Reflection with Rachel, 30 min
Like my weekly newsletter, I'll lead an intuitive tarot reading for all, with some reflection + journaling. Bring something to write with.
2:00 Visualize Your Year with Leonor, 45 min
Leonor will guide you through creating a vision board for your year to come. Bring a blank piece of paper and something to write with. Here are some examples plus additional optional supplies!
Break
3:30 Restorative Yin Yoga with Rachel, 30 min
A super gentle style of yoga designed to release muscle and soul tension. Bring pillows and blankets to prop yourself up!
Retreat Payment Options:
$20 for one offering
$35 for two offerings
$50 for four offerings
$100 for the full day
*If cost is prohibitive, please let me know! We will work it out!
Your New Year Tarot Reading
With letters spelling out T-A-R-O, your card for the new year represents deep insight. Good fortune cycles through, with life’s challenges along the way. Keep certain of the direction you’re going in (the wheel also acts as a compass) by connecting to what you feel most aligned with, most joyful about, and most delighted in. May your challenges turn into blessings and may your blessings be felt by all.
With Gratitude,
There are three beautiful ways you can support my work writing and teaching!
Make a micro-donation, either through Buy Me a Coffee (or in my case, a love note), or after you’ve listened to one of my meditations on Insight Timer.
Come to my New Year’s Retreat, book a personalized yoga class or contact me for a Tarot or Akashic Records reading.
Forward this newsletter on to anyone who might want a little love! Ask them to subscribe! Tell them you love them!
Thank you thank you!
Much love and gratitude,
Rachel xo
In the spirit of joy and quiet, I’m taking Monday off! See you in the new year.