I had the opportunity to do a free yoga class, sponsored by Lululemon, at Wrigley Field on Friday night. My friends and I walked on to the field in awe of the stadium, the iconic scoreboard and the awesome Lululemon signs. We heeded the warning not to walk on the infield (oh, rats) or to touch the ivy. We took pictures of the scene and of ourselves to show we were there.
There was a guy named Ben playing guitar and three great instructors. The first instructor, Andrew Gurvey, was really lighthearted and he said some things that I hope will stick with me. He reminded us that yoga is not about being perfect but about participating and being in the moment. He told us to smile if we were wobbling or shaking because the poses we were doing were “pretty hard.” Most importantly, he asked us to reflect on how awesome our lives were that we were spending a nice, cool Friday night in July on Wrigley Field doing yoga. He said something to the effect of “sometimes you need to remember how awesome your life is.”
Andrew reminded me to reflect on a great week filled with some pretty “awesome” things in my life:
- I went to NYC and stayed at one of my closest friends homes and visited with her and her family only briefly, but was told that her boys might stay home from camp in protest that they did not have a chance to see me (which made me a very happy “aunt.”)
- I ran with my running buddies in Central Park and got to introduce a Chicago friend into the mix (and to one of my favorite places in the world).
- Another close, old friend visited me in NYC and we caught up, got pedicures and shared a quiet afternoon. There is nothing like old friends to make me smile.
- I had dinner with 3 more dear friends and laughed the night away.
- I went out to By Pond Farm and visited my brother and his partner. This is one of my favorite places on the planet due to it’s owners, the setting, the garden, the food, the landscape and my animal nieces and nephews. We saw some of their friends who are my friends, too. These friends told me that they read my blog to start their days. That made me smile.
- My stepmom visited and told me of her plans for a new start in life which represents a major step forward since my dad’s passing nearly 5 years ago.
- I met up with a man who is starting a business that I may get involved in and drank in some of his passion.
- I went to BlogHer13 and met tons of interesting and inspiring women and connected with a friend who runs one of the brands that was at the expo, as an added bonus. Look for an awesome Wild Ophelia giveaway here in August!
- I ran with friends on the lakefront on an unseasonably cool long run and we saw so many friends. It was a lakefront lovefest for Chicago runners compliments of Mother Nature.
- On the last day of Blogher13, I met Aihui Ong from Love with Food and got to tell her in person how much I love her product. She offered the opportunity to come and see her next time I am in San Francisco! Yes, please!!
- I did yoga at Wrigley Field!
For these and many other reasons, I recognize that my life is in fact “pretty awesome” and I am very grateful.
What awesome things happened to you this week?
PS. Don’t forget to enter my Liza’s Crunch Granola giveaway!