The weather has finally changed and it is cold and rainy. This definitely impacts Yoga-urt and we had our slowest weekend in a very long time. 

I’m not panicking though. I knew it was coming. And, overall, November has been much better than I thought it was going to be. 

Since December is our slowest month (coldest and darkest), I’ve been planning some specials to hopefully keep people coming. We’ve partnered with 3 vegan chefs for some really tasty treats to be announced soon, that will ONLY be available in December. It’s pretty exciting!!!

This past weekend, we tried a few of the specials out and I found myself styling the treats. I never thought that I would be a food stylist, but there I was. I also never thought I’d own a frozen yogurt store so I guess it is par for the course 🙂 

As for me, I finally feel a little refreshed. I had 4 days off of my day job and only worked at Yoga-urt one of those days, so I had some time to relax, to be with family, and to attend a yoga gathering/class on Saturday night with Sean Corne which was very inspiring. 

I felt somewhat reconnected to how I felt during my yoga bubble year that I’ve gotten so far away from during the last 2 years of work, work, and more work. I want it back! I’m not filled up right now and it is more important now than ever for me to get filled up so I can not only take care of myself, but so that I have more to give to my parents who need it desperately, my team members, my co-workers, my family, my friends, my community, and now the fight to retain our rights as Americans and especially vulnerable people.

That is what I will work towards in 2017 – fill myself up so I have more to give. 

I may start with a yoga retreat at the end of January in Mexico. I just saw the posting today and it called to me. I have not taken a vacation in around 4 years or so. It’s time. I will sit with it for a week or two before deciding, but something about it feels right! 

I go back to work at my day job tomorrow. We have many deadlines so it is a bit crazy, but this long weekend helped and I am very grateful for it.

As a business owner, I struggle with how much I should share about my thoughts on this very divisive election. I want to scream from the rooftops as I feel very strongly, but is that okay to do? Moby seems to have no problem with this and I applaud him, but he is Moby. I am not.

This week changed things in a way I never could’ve imagined. I can’t believe that I am hearing about things like the KKK, gay conversion therapy, swatiskas, tearing families apart, and separation based on color. WTF. Is this real? 

I am shocked like so many other people about how much hate, racism and sexism there seems to be in America. It is scary and it seems like it will likely keep getting worse.

What I do know is that Yoga-urt is a place of love. EVERYONE is welcome there no matter where you are from, whom you love, and what you look like. As long as you are kind to all, you are welcome and always will be.

Yoga-urt is not a political place and yes, that was a conscious decision that I made from the beginning. It was created out of my love for yoga which is about love, community, and finding inner peace. Yoga-urt makes people happy, and I feel more than ever that Yoga-urt’s job & duty is to continue to make people feel happy and safe and loved. I feel so grateful that on a daily basis, I have an outlet to do just that. 

This week has been tough, but I do believe that love is more powerful ultimately than hate. We are at such a critical time and it’s important that we protect our rights, turn to our communities for support, and be kind to one another. 

I’m so glad that I have yoga in my life, as it will help me stay centered through this crazy time. It’s my opportunity to turn off the outside world at those times when I desperately need to, and focus on my breath and my body. I hope that you all have something to do the same as we all need that right now. 

Namaste – The light in me sees the light in you.

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/colorful-serenity-prayer-by-sharon-cummings-sharon-cummings.html

I wish I could say things are getting easier, but in addition to everything else, my parents are struggling with some major health challenges. It’s been hard for my whole family but we are doing what we can to get through it. It sucks 😦

But I do want to say that when I am feeling down or questioning what I got myself into as I have a lot lately, that’s when our customers truly touch me. Just yesterday, one asked if I was the owner and they were really excited when I said yes. She told me how she and her friends drove from Culver City just to come here and how much they love it. This happened a few times this week with different people and means the world to me. It’s the pick me up I need, and helps to confirm that all of my hard work and sacrifices have been worth it.

Thanks to everyone for all of your kind words. They really mean a lot to me!