I am such a bird nerd. Seriously. I could spend hours just watching them flit about the feeders in my back yard. And this week they have been super busy.

Working from home, my kitchen table doubles as my office space. Even though we have a dedicated work space, I prefer the kitchen table because it gives me a clear view of both of the feeders in my back yard. All week long I've watched them come and go, chase each other around, or patiently sit and wait for their turn to feed. For me, it's one of the most grounding and reassuring things to see — an array of birds doing their bird thing. And with the migratory birds like the Red-Winged Blackbirds making an appearance, it's a sure sign of spring in full motion.

Watching nature do what nature does has had me thinking a lot about change. About how the season shifts, slowly and surely, without forcing anything. And about how I meet the shifts and changes in my own life.

I'll admit that lately I haven't been as proficient at it as I once was. But what can I say? I'm at that age in my life where A LOT of things are changing, and I'm just doing my best to hold space for what's present, meet it honestly and with compassion, and lean into the practices that I know help me ride those waves of ever changing experience.

This is one of the biggest gifts I've gleaned, and continue to learn, from my Yoga and Ayurveda studies. How to be present, and how to meet change. Not perfectly. And not by forcing myself into something. But willingly introducing little things that support my process of evolving. No different than the Bluejay or Cardinal waiting patiently a small distance away while the Downy Woodpecker takes its turn at the feeder.

And that's really the whole teaching, isn't it. We wait. We watch. We choose the moment. And then we move.

For me, that looks like gentle movements in the middle of the kitchen while the kettle boils on the days when my mat practice feels too daunting. Or choosing my walking route through the woods instead of along the busy sidewalk. Choice is powerful. The practice is in remembering you've got it.

Ayurveda has a simple principle that ties all of this together beautifully. Like increases like, while opposites balance. Whatever you're feeling right now — heavy, foggy, depleted, stuck, or just a little like that Cardinal waiting for its turn — adding more of the same will only deepen it. But one small thing in the opposite direction? That's enough to shift the tide. A walk in the woods instead of scrolling. Warm tea instead of a third coffee. A few breaths before the next thing on the list. Waiting patiently instead of pushing onward or thru.

I wrote more about this on the blog this week if you want to go a little deeper into this: On The Blog​

And speaking of things I've been sitting with... I have a question I've been wanting to ask you.

I'm thinking about hosting a mostly silent retreat this summer. Somewhere quiet, peaceful, and surrounded by nature, and hopefully, birds. A few days to slow down, breathe, practice, and just be. I don't have all the details worked out yet, but before I go any further I wanted to know, is this something that would interest you?

This kind of time together, unhurried, quiet, held by nature, is something I dream about all the time. And I'd truly love to do more of it. So if it is something you'd be interested in doing too, I'd love to add you to the list of people who hear about the retreat first. Just hit reply and let me know you're interested, and I'll make sure you're on the list of first to know when details are finalized.

Chat soon.

Big love, M