What lies before us and what lies behind us are small matters compared to what lies within us. And when you bring what is within out into the world, miracles happen. -Henry David Thoreau 

After a really good, sweaty, push me to the edge yoga session I stop and sit in stillness before I let myself come out of that meditative state. I stop to feel the energy surging through my body and my heartbeat pulsing in my fingertips. I stop to feel the strength, the potential, and all that is within. Then I focus on the inner voice and what it is telling me and then tears usually start to stream down my face. All that lies before me and behind me melts away as I come alive with pure prana of life, love, gratitude and possibility. Just another reason why the whole world needs more yoga & mediation. Can you imagine?!!

So the darkness shall be light, and the stillness the dancing. -T.S. Elliot 

Focus on Gratitude
No matter how bad your day, week, or even year has been there is always something to be grateful for. I often am reminded of how thankful I should be for my family, my health, all the amazing experiences I have had in life, and simply for the sun on my face. Focusing on just the smallest thing will help you to forget about all those other things you need not worry about.

Love Yourself
If you don't nobody will! Loving yourself does not have to be conceited or egoistic. Loving yourself can mean taking care of yourself mind, body, and soul. Exercising. Eating for health. Taking time out to feed you soul. Learning something new. Listening to your heart. Treating yourself like someone you respect and admire. You are awesome and it's OK to think so!

Forgive
Just let it go. Holding on to anger and resentment does nobody any good, especially yourself. Forgiveness is a tool for you to let go of the negative feelings and associations that are holding you back from your BEST life. It doesn't necessarily mean you have to let that person back into your good graces, but by forgiving others you free yourself from all that negative weight. 

Abide by the Four Agreements:
Be Impeccable With Your Word |  Your words are powerful. Use them to speak love and truth not only to others, but also to yourself. I use this agreement to remind myself to “talk nice” to myself and not beat myself up over little and big things. Remember that all we say and all we are is a result of how we think and talk to ourselves.
Don't take anything personally | What others do and say has nothing to do with you. Thinking so is wrong and will make you suffer. Their words and actions are only a reflection of their reality. Don’t let it affect your reality. Don't fret about people’s perceptions or actions towards you. The way people treat you has very little to do with you but everything to do with them, their minds and lives.
Don't Make Assumptions | Communicate clearly and truthfully and ask questions. By not saying anything and only assuming you may create conflict. Ask and know the truth to avoid misunderstanding. Don’t jump to conclusions. Always ask questions to make sure you truly know what’s going on so as to not create unnecessary conflict.
Always Do Your Best | In order to do things with joy and love you must always do your best. Your best, however will not always be the same depending on your health, mood or situation. If you can always say “I did my best” you will not regret or end up abusing yourself. Put forth your best effort in all aspects of life: job, family, friendship, finances, and health in doing so you won’t have regrets later.

Exercise Your Mind-Body Connection
Clear your head by exercising your body! That runners high or yogi glow ain't no lie y'all. Moving your body gets you out of your head and helps clear the cobwebs you've been weaving up there all day. Regular exercise produces those feel good endorphins and in turn leads to mental health and clarity. 

Breathe 
Find a moment. Stop. And Breathe. Deeply. 

The idea and philosophy of a Wild Acorn came to me over two years ago while at the yoga and music festival Wanderlust in Stratton, Vermont. Yoga had become a regular part of my life and helped bring me back to life spiritually post breaking up with Christianity and so when I heard of the festival it was one of those "I have to do this" moments.

I had been in a slump of sorts for a while. I had recently returned from serving as a Youth Development Peace Corps Volunteer in El Salvador (Going In Peace) and was struggling to find where I would fit back in to the "real world". I wasn't where I wanted to be personally, professionally or spiritually and it didn't feel like life was conspiring to help me out much. I was 28 and living in Austin with my cousin who had graciously given me a job as a live-in nanny for her two sweet babies.  It was a great gig to get me started but in no way was I fulfilling my full potential. Dozens of resumes sent out with little to no reply and an ego frustrated and ready to give up. I had no money for a vacation but I had to go to Wanderlust.

With a little luck I managed a free ticket to the festival and then booked my flight immediately. I went alone staying with a group of people I met through Pravassa Wellness Travel. This could be risky but it was a risk I was willing to take. Sounded like an adventure to me! To make a long story short, the festival was incredible. I practiced yoga with awesome instructors like Seane Corn, Rodney Yee, Colleen Saidman, Ana Forrest, John Friend, Siri Peterson and Schyler Grant. I was pushed physically, emotionally and spiritually and I began to feel the light within me glow again.

So back to how Wild Acorn came about. On the second day of the festival I went to a class with Seane Corn. Before she began teaching she talked about potential within us all. She gave the analogy of the tiny little acorn and its potential to grow into a big and mighty oak tree. This imagery resonated so deep within me. I knew I had so much power, creativity and energy trapped within within me that I wasn't fully nurturing and letting grow. I had to tap into that power and start growing. The conversion was not instant but it happened slowly but surely. I came home and began practicing yoga more diligently and decided to finally take the jump to go through yoga teacher training. I began learning about health and nutrition and started taking better care of myself. I healed the wounded relationship with my dad. I moved out of my cousins house and into my own place. And I GOT A JOB!

Since then life has not been a straight and easy road but I have never forgotten the wild and crazy power within me and each and every one of us that when tapped into can not only accomplish great things, but also bring healing and peace to your soul. Wild Acorn will be a collection of my ideas and thoughts on whole health, holistic nutrition, yoga, emotional and spiritual well being, love and life. I am honored and humbled that you would want to read, learn and grow along with me. It's going to be an adventure!