Amber - Bikram will help you to Believe

I'm not sure if I can ever describe what inspires me. I don't think inspiration can be wrapped in a box. It is not something that is the same for everyone. It happens when your heart and mind are ready. Dictionary.com defines inspiration as divine guidance or influence exerted directly on the mind and soul of humankind.

As many of you know, one of my lifelong friend's sister was diagnosed with Leukemia last year. She went through one round of chemo. Paul was a bone marrow match and they were able to do a bone marrow transplant. Everything was looking up. Just a few months later, she relapsed. She went through a second round of chemo. The family has remained strong and supportive. Everyday they are in my thoughts and prayers. The miracle is, today she is cancer free for about three weeks!

While the family was going through this, I felt a bit helpless. You can't really do anything other than offer your prayers. I contacted the local Leukemia Society chapter and started a team in her honor about two months ago. The walk is in October in Reston, VA. I would love for any of you to walk with us. Please click here to join or donate. She is an inspiration...

Inspiration comes in all shapes and sizes. Today started as any normal Saturday would. I woke up, I walked the dogs, and I laid right back down on the couch. I got up an hour later and packed a bag for yoga. Today was a bit different because Karen and I had plans after. Yoga was great as always. There were about five new students in the class. I felt great! After I showered and got changed. I didn't want to offend anyone while I was out and about. (mind you, after yoga - you rarely actually smell. It is a different sweat.)

Karen and I decided on Whole Foods for lunch. I made this glorious salad with lettuce, feta cheese, pineapple, honey dew and cantaloupe, sunflower seeds and a balsamic vinaigrette. As I have mentioned before - I crave fruit when I finish class. Not just any fruit... the juicier the better. We then went to Michaels. We walked around for about 45 minutes or so and bought nothing. Then we went to Ann Taylor Loft. We walked around there for awhile and pretty much bought nothing (except these super cute sunglasses!) Then we were going to go to Starbucks, but I decided I wanted to make a pit stop at the book store. Anyone who knows me would tell you that "Amber doesn't read." Well, something changed that day in February. Amber does read. Every day in fact. So, I bought two things. I really want to read "Beautiful Boy" by David Sheff. Probably my most important purchase was a journal. I have written about doing daily reflections to improve outlook or writing down something you learn for the day. The problem is, I don't do it myself. I believe that looking back on the day and pulling out the good parts and writing about what I am grateful for, I can change my thought. I began reflecting at that point. So, Karen and I went to Starbucks. We sat outside and just talked. We talked about everything. We looked through a cook book she bought and salivated over the food. We talked about going to Rome. We talked about yoga and the changes it has brought about.

I woke up one morning in February and have not been the same since. I have a new outlook on life. I do not dwell on things I can not change and I change the things I can. I have learned that memories are more important than things. I have no problem spending $4.25 on a cup of coffee that turned into a memory of a time I shared with a friend. There was nothing more perfect in the day than that hour.

In the book, "The Secret," the main theme is the power of attraction. I know that when I have the moments like I had today, I can radiate happiness from my core to everyone around me. The day I met Steve, I was on top of the world. He always talked about my love of life. It may have taken a few years to find that love - but I did. My love of life has manifested into more. My love of life starts with having love and hope in my heart. My love of life grows through my friends and family. Kathryn best described me as being in love with love. I am in love with love. When you have days like today - share them. The worst thing that can happen is you may brighten someone else's day. You never realize just who is going to notice. After about an hour in Target, Karen and I were checking out. The cashier turned to us and said, "You seem very happy. I wish you nothing but happiness the rest of your days." It goes back to the power of attraction and how just a smile on your face never goes unnoticed.

If you don't believe me... Everyone has a story of someone they know, that when you first met them were not the most physically attractive, but as time went on you only noticed their best qualities. Chances are, they were happy and they made you feel good being around them. It was their personality that changed your view.

Yoga works on changing you from the inside out. You do this through the same things I preach about weekly, determination, passion, commitment, endurance... etc... As you are able to change your outlook and your thoughts, you become a magnet for happiness. You will become surrounded by happy people. Those who are negative will either be inspired by you or turn away from you. Henry Ford said, "Whether You Believe You Can, Or You Can't, You Are Right" Believe in yourself. Kiki and her family believed in the treatment and it is proving to be right. Believe in your change, whatever you want it to be... and you will be right.