The subject of enlightenment comes up routinely in my household. Perhaps because my beloved father (who shares a home with me and my family) has always been a seeker of truth. Being a full-time artist he has also had the liberty to research, practice, and investigate the many and varied paths that promise enlightenment and peace on Earth. After 40 years of study, and staying very much abreast of the ongoing global situation, he is still not convinced that this so called 'enlightenment' exists or is even a valid goal. Well the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and I find myself often engaged in lively and quite hilarious discussions with my father about why this so called enlightenment seems so elusive.

Some would say all I have to do is open my crown Chakra, tap my third eye, breathe deeply through alternating nostrils, sit in silent contemplation with a crystal clear mind for 14.5 minutes each day in solitude, detach from all Earthly desires and raise my kundalini! OK, so let's say I do all of these things (in between doing the laundry, the dishes, the grocery shopping, making dinner, raising my child, planning my wedding, running my business and maybe even sneaking in a Yoga class or two), and I do - or don't - experience some sort of 'Enlightenment' - then what? I continue to live my life with honesty and integrity, that's what I do, and that is all any of us can do unless we want to run away to a cave in the Himalayas. Not an option.

So my challenge to you (and myself) is to make 2009 a year of true enlightenment, in other words, a year of "being light". Not as in dark and light, but as in heavy and light. And I am not talking about pounds either. I mean light as in tread lightly and allow yourself to be free of the weight of the mind. One thing that I am convinced of, is that our thoughts do indeed become things. And in this light (no pun intended), I have decided to think of myself as 'light', or in other words, 'enlightened'.

There are only two emotions - Fear and Love. When we act with fear we become heavy and eventually diseased, when we act with love, we become light and balanced. Sound easy? It is, just tap your Third Eye, smile and lighten up-eh!

Happy '09 to all of you! I am so excited to shimmy strong and proud through 2009 and beyond with all of you! Thank you so very much for the support and for making Bellyfit the incredible movement that it is!

In light and gratitude,

alice

"Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water."
Zen Proverb