To My Tribe

 ​It’s coming up to a year since I boarded a plane to Houston, Texas for the month-long Forrest Yoga Teacher Training. The month changed me in more ways than I can list here and as the anniversary comes near the facebook status updates have begun. People who I hadn’t yet met this time last year are expressing gratitude for the journey we began together.
 
Gratitude comes in many forms and although I have blogged about my daily ritual of keeping a gratitude journal previously this feels different. There is something very heartfelt and special about reading an update on where each of us are now, a year on from those long sweaty days spent together at Yoga One Houston with Ana Forrest and her wonderful team of assistants.
 
For me personally, a year on from training, I didn’t think I would be in Ireland, I didn’t think I would be about to start my Forrest Yoga Mentorship with the beautiful Sandra Robinson in England later this month, I didn’t think I would be about to get on yet another plane in 31 days time to travel and volunteer in Nepal and India for seven weeks. My journey following training took many twists and turns and not all were as I expected but the beauty of life is that it’s these twists and turns that help shape us. The roads we choose may not be ones of plain sailing, they may not even have been of our choosing initially but where we land can be infinitely more rewarding and infinitely more defining than we ever imagined possible.
 
It might sound corny but reading some of my friends facebook updates I am grateful.  I am grateful for everything my six weeks in Houston gave me; every connection, every hug, every assist, every share, every piece of feedback, every tear, every laugh, every feeling of love, joy, sadness, anger, fear, frustration, disappointment, compassion, kindness. It is through feeling these feelings and embracing support that I am the woman I am today. All the truth speaking, the embracing vulnerability and the visioning were a part of this journey and looking back over my journal from those days it feels as though a lot has changed. Some still rings true and other parts are no longer valid. And that's okay too. It's okay for things not to turn out the way I expected. I acknowledge that I am glad life is how it is now as it has helped me to see that there is a bigger plan, a bigger picture for me to embrace. My blank canvas has colour and dreams and visions that are brighter and more vibrant than those of a year ago and while they may continue to shift I trust that they are part of my soul purpose. 
 
It is with the greatest love in my heart that I say thank you to my tribe and to the people who continue to be in my life; thank you for being a part of the ride, thank you for being my triggers, thank you for being my friends and family, thank you for being my teachers, thank you for being my students.  Most of all thank you for being you. I hope you all continue to shine brighter than you did all those months ago before this crazy roller coaster ride began, and if the universe deems we are to meet again somewhere in this big yet small world then bring it on.
 
For me this marks the beginning of a new road, one that takes me deeper into my practice and also on a journey to the villages and mountains of Nepal and the craziness of India. I am excited, I am nervous and I am ecstatic to be doing it alongside amazing women and men, some of whom I know and some of whom I am yet to meet.
 
For now I salute you my Forrest tribe wherever you are.
 
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
(An Irish Blessing)
 
Walk in Beauty! AHO!