Alas, one main thread of thoughts that has materialized over the past year is soon coming to a categorical end, closing out over the next few months as it inches closer to mootness, while I inch closer to what I consider to be a very exciting and promising married life.
Yesterday, I was lucky to be schooled by a new yoga instructor, whom Bikram instructed personally, and ran one of Bikram's two U.S. studios back in the day before the practice became a global health sensation. My instructor wasn't necessarily the most spiritual guy, but his humor made the class lighter and was encouraging as we all struggled to get ease into our "asanas" in 100 degree heat and 72 degree humidity. At some point in the class, the instructor deviated from his banter and said something a bit more serious, interesting and simple about the practice. He stated, "There is a difference between will power and mental tension. You can will your body to get into a pose, but remain in a state of mental tension. In this practice, even if your body is working every single organ, your mind should be relaxed."
I tried that today during yoga, and while I was relaxing my mind, I came up with this simple reflection (or mantra if you will):
Love has truly been the key in having this relationship stand the test of distance and time, but respect has been, and will continue to be the key in having the relationship stand the test of life.
*The picture is a shot I took over the Alaskan skies during the trip when I realized I was going to propose to my fiancee soon.
