But then I saw my therapist two weeks ago and she reminded me that I had the power to make out of my life whatever I wanted. That I could create my own Thanksgiving. That I could create the day I wanted! I had forgotten that... Isn't that funny? How we forget that? How often we are in an uncomfortable yoga pose, and we forget we have the power to realign, to deepen the breath, to even -if needed- take child's pose! 

After the session with my therapist, I drove home and called my best friend Jenny. I told her that if she didn't have plans, I would like nothing more than to spend it with her. Turns out she felt the same! Then we found out Mackie, my other sister, didn't have plans either, and Jenny's friend Shannon didn't either, so we ended up creating a beautiful Thanksgiving at my apartment, catered by Gelson's! 

So to recap: I woke up early, taught class and the students were fabulous. I reminded the students that they are Sakti (literally "cosmic power"); that within all of us lies the cosmic, creative power to be able to do, to create, to become. We can always realign, change patterns, start again and rescue ourselves... We have that power within us! We did tons of bird poses, some backbends and inversions and had a great time.

Then I went home and for the next few hours I cleaned like I haven't before. I beautified my place, cleared the old, brought out new plates that I had recently gotten from Anthropology, plus my grandmother's cloth napkins, silverware and table cloths. I lit candles around the house and got Jenny's favorite flowers.  I made my space so inviting and I couldn't wait for the girls to arrive. When Jenny walked in to my apartment she literally teared up! She was so touched by how it looked and kept saying, "You did it, Maria. You really did it!" What an amazing friend she is. Then Mackie arrived with the cutest knitted shirt and it was all hugs and love. Shannon arrived just as the food was heated up and ready. We all served each other and sat down and ate just enough, without having a food coma. 

I brought out ice cream from the Farmer's Market served in my parent's tea-set from their engagement party. The guests didn't know but every silverware I was using had a special meaning to me. I was honoring my family and celebrating my new family of friends that I have been building through all these years. 

Then I got some of the beautiful Orla Kiely stationary that Mackie had given me for my birthday. I asked everyone questions about the year and intentions for the next year. We had some heartfelt sharing about what 2011 was like and where we are heading. We also had a blast picking out fairy cards and "animal messages" cards. Everyone left with a card where we had written our biggest lesson of this year and our intention for the next year!

At some moment during the evening I looked around the table and saw the beautiful faces of Jenny, Mackie, Shannon. I saw the amazing food and my apartment. I saw the life that I am creating and felt how blessed I am, and I broke into a blossom of gratitude! Thanksgiving 2011 ended up being one of the most easeful and loveliest ones ever.

May we remember that we have within us the power to change patterns and recreate our own lives. May we continue to create our lives every day. To remember whenever we feel stuck that -as the 11th century Tantrik book "The Splendor of Recognition" says, "The universe is being created at every moment."

Thank you Jenny, Mackie and Shannon!

Have a great weekend everyone! 

Many blessings!