A Meaningful Life

Summer.  I bring that word to the forefront of my mind; reflecting, I think...aah...lazy days; the sun's warmth radiating from bright blue skies, and the smell of freshly cut grass; fewer commitments; a step back to a slower cadence.
It isn't uncommon that we all are blessed with seasons of relaxation, fun, nothingness...and although I love these times, there is something that calls me back to a more purposeful living. I long for routine and structure.
God has given us charge over our lives...We have the gift of choice.  And if we are wise, we choose to fill each moment with meaningful activity; dare I say it?  The word is work.  Work is to enhance our lives.  It isn't a curse or a result of the fall, but an indispensable component to a meaningful life.
We honor God when we invest and involve ourselves in work (service) to cultivate, transform and change all we can by His power for His good. Work. Hebrew: Abodah (ab-o-daw'). Service.  Beautiful words.
We hear lots about our need for rest, and the need to create balance in our lives. Perhaps the focus isn't really about rest and establishing balance, but about seeing work from a different perspective; seeing work/service as a gift and blessing to our lives.
As I think more about this, I also understand that work was never meant to give us our self-worth.  That only comes from the person of Jesus Christ.  With that in mind, I can establish healthy boundaries of work/service by honoring and enjoying times of rest in my life.
We were created to work and rest.  Created in the image of God, remembering He worked 6 days and then rested.  I realize as I age, I am slowing down. But I pray that I never stop living a meaningful life and serving others with the same generosity, love and compassion my Lord has shown me.
Create a routine.  Honor it with work and rest.  They are both essential for a purposeful life lived abundantly in Him.

Ecclesiastes 3:1;11 and 11:7-8 New International Version (NIV)
"There is a time for everything,
 and a season for every activity under the heavens; God has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.  Light is sweet,and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.  However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all."

Reflections Yoga May Schedule

As we approach May, and I wanted to give you all a head's up about available classes. I also want to let you know that I will not be teaching this summer. I may have an impromptu class here and there. And yes, there will be some yoga hikes.  With a hectic personal life this summer, I need to stay available for my family.  Most of all I need to be 'flexible'!

If you want information concerning other classes in the area, please let me know, and I will be happy to provide that information for you.

I look forward to seeing you soon!!
Shalom,
Pamela


There is a sacred place within us that we will discover every time we behold Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and God our Father Creator. Allow your thoughts to quiet daily, and be at peace in the sacred place. Worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. He deserves our praise and so much more. Amen


Tuesdays 2:30 pm
4/29, 5/6, 5/13, 5/20, 5/27

Wednesdays 4:45
There will be no class 4/30
5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28

Fridays 9 am
5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/23, 5/30

Updated 2014 Schedule

I have missed our times in reflection and stillness!  I am bidding my season of hectic living and busy projects good-bye.  I am thankful for the faithfulness of my loving God as He has gotten me through two moves, a six month entire home remodel, my husband working out of town and both of us living in a hotel for almost 1 year!! What a crazy 1 1/2 year.

I love teaching and am blessed to have a small home studio where I can share the insights, hope and love God bestows on me daily through the practice of yoga.  Below is my current teaching schedule.  Should you desire to come to a class, just shoot me an email so that I can confirm space.  Literally.  Floor space.

Classes are still 60-75 minutes long and are $10 a class at my home studio.

Blessings and Shalom,
Pamela

Tuesday - Reflections Yoga Studio (RYS)
2:30 pm - Class is full but call ahead to check for availability for drop-in
4:45 pm - Three spaces available

Wednesday - RYS
4:45 pm - Two spaces available

Thursday - NO CLASSES at RYS
9 am - Woodmen Valley Chapel, Rockrimmon Campus, Rooms 108/109 in the Community Bldg/Gym, $6 per class

Friday - RYS
9 am - Two spaces available

ACCEPTANCE IN NEW BEGINNINGS

This is the season of hope, joy and new beginnings...

As time goes on, in my life I have to be reminded over again that there is so little that I have control over. As trite as the saying goes, "Let go and Let God", it is really true. There is absolute freedom to move ahead when I come to the place of acceptance. However, this is not a defeatist attitude but more of the attitude of the much heard serenity prayer - "To change the things that I can; to accept the things I cannot change; and the wisdom to know the difference between the two."

As I challenged my yoga students this week, I want to challenge you (as well as myself). Let's purposefully enter into this season with expectations only of HOPE, JOY, and ACCEPTANCE. Pray for a new attitude and heart. Let's let go of the burdens and sins that weigh us down. Open our hearts so that we may embrace the love of Christ and experience His Fullness in our lives.  Receive the amazing gifts that are already right there before us!

I believe that the best way we can experience the fullness of God is to offer back the Christ within us our hands - ready to serve in small and large ways. We can offer our feet to willingly walk in the path of His peace and light; we can offer the Spirit a mind that is willing to believe in new beginnings and possibilities; offer our voice to speak of His faith, joy, love and hope! We can offer the Father our cooperation in establishing His Kingdom of Heaven here on earth.

Celebrating the birth of Christ and the spirit of Christmas isn't just for one day of the year, but for all the rest...I want a new willingness to believe that I can do my part making Christmas not just one day, but a way of living life. Consider your offerings - then rejoice in what God will do!

Wishing you the warmth of a Merry Christmas and the freshness of a New Year,
Pam

"Know the love of Christ...so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."   ~   Ephesians 3:19

Peace Out Before the Holidays

Dear Friends,

The holidays are approaching! Instead of looking ahead with dread, I am looking ahead with joy and anticipation! I am committed each year to simplify my efforts and truly embrace the essence of what these seasons bring: time with family and friends.

My prayer for me, and for you, is that we not lose sight of this reminder - the importance of people. Those we love; those we are learning to love. Let us all rest in letting things unfold naturally, and put aside our striving. May we enjoy each day's fill of God's good graces and love for US.

Below is a list of classes for the remainder of this year. I will be traveling in November and December quite a bit in addition to Thanksgiving and Christmas break, so I won't be here to teach on several days. I apologize for any inconvenience. Please continue your home practice or connect with other classes in the area while I am away. I will be happy to provide you with any information you might need to keep your practice a priority.

Happy Thanksgiving - and Merry Christmas!!
Pamela Joy

Reflections Yoga Classes
RYS-Reflections Yoga Studio WVC-Woodmen Valley Chapel


November and December 2013
Tuesday 3 pm and 5:00 pm, RYS
11/5, 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, 12/3, 12/17
No classes: 12/10, 12/24 (Christmas Eve), and 12/31 (New Year's Eve)

Wednesday 4:30 pm, RYS
11/6, 11/20, 11/27, 12/18
No classes: 11/13, 12/4, 12/11, 12/25 (Christmas Day)

Thursday 9 am, WVC
11/7, 11/14 (sub), 11/21, 12/5 and 12/12 (sub), 12/19
No classes: 11/28 (Thanksgiving), 12/26 (church is closed)

Thursday 5:00 pm, RYS
11/7, 11/21, 12/19
No classes: 11/14, 11/28 (Thanksgiving), 12/5, 12/12, 12/26

Friday 9 am, RYS

11/8, 11/22, 12/20

No classes: 11/15, 11/29, 12/6, 12/13, 12/27

Fall Yoga 2013

I will be teaching here at my new home studio THIS FALL:

25 South Sherwood Glen, Monument, CO 80132

If you are interested, please contact me!  I would love to guide you on your journey. Classes start September 10th.  I still have some room.

Also, starting September 12th, I will teach at Woodmen Valley Chapel, 9 am on Thursdays in Room 107/108 Community Center.  Come and find joy in your relationship with your loving Savior!

Shalom,
Pamela

Lost in Translation

Often I will hear a word, a conversation, a story and immediately infuse my thoughts, my experiences and my beliefs into what I hear.  I think we are all wired that way.  It comes natural because this is the only way we can relate to another human being.  Bring it back home to something we have knowledge of or understanding of.  Feelings of empathy may surface because we can relate.  We nod saying that we have walked in similar shoes or perhaps we have walked in THOSE shoes. 


Then with good intentions there are times we try to bring an understanding to what was said by entwining our definition with what was shared because we can't relate; we haven't been there.  It is during these times the best we can do is to just listen, just trust, and just accept. 


What it all comes down to is this: how we relate to others, to our life's experiences, and better still how we develop our own self awareness is largely based on what we believe, what we think about God, life/others, and ourselves. 


I have heard it said that this life is a battlefield.  For me, I believe that the battlefield is actually the mind.  The best defense we have in this life is to be prepared mentally. There is a constant war raging on what will take up space and reside in our minds.  We can always trace sinful behavior back to the things we mediate on (ponder), the things we read, the shows, movies, and  the programs we watch, and the people we engage with. The more we digest thoughts and ideas that are not true, or noble, or admirable, or lovely, or pure, or excellent, then we are acting (or I should say reacting) from a base of distrust, disrepute, and unwholesomeness.


God's truth, His Word, is my anchor.  I trust, believe and hope in God and His ways.   I acknowledge and accept that I will never understand all of God's ways and the reasons behind His ways.  I also know that just because His ways are above my own it doesn't mean that He isn't at work or doesn't love or care for me. 
 

When I first read or hear God's Words of truth, sometimes I have to admit it sounds foreign.  I have questions; I don't understand.  Through so many, many, years of striving and forcing understanding and then questioning in disbelief - I have decided to just trust and come to Him as a child.  Acceptance doesn't mean that I have stopped seeking wisdom or understanding - it's just that I seek HIS wisdom and understanding.  Not my own.  Children enter rest through believing.  So as a child of God this is what I believe: God will translate and apply what's in my head to my heart. 


Each of us can decide what to believe or not believe about God, about life, about ourselves.  That is our choice.  We hold that key.  For me that vital key was to put my trust in God through the person of Jesus Christ.  Since I made that choice, my life has changed. I have experienced a tangible joy through this faith.  The language is more and more discernible and understandable.  Outward experiences over which I have no control no longer wreck havoc over my soul.  I have a confidence and an ability to navigate successfully through the circumstances and influences that I do have control over.  My inward attitudes, beliefs and thought patterns are the admirable expression of a whole being: body, soul and spirit.


The challenge to us all is to remain pure in thought - to guard our minds. To be careful about what we entertain. Am I going to believe the God of the universe who has proven trustworthy and faithful or believe my own version of 'truth' based on my lack of understanding? It's your choice, too. I pray you choose well.

 

"For as he/she thinks in his/her heart, so is he/she." Proverbs 23:7