Love Your April

Happy April to you!

Growing up in the Midwest, usually April is the month that the sun brings warmer days allowing us to shed layers, flowers begin to sprout and generally a spring-time feeling is in the air. Living in Washington, D.C. the past 2 years has been quite a different experience, because everything seems to happen just a little bit earlier. So today, I'm really feeling settled into spring as a season and fully embracing it. Take a moment to reflect on your spring-time obsessions, have you made an effort to enjoy each moment of nature's growing process?

As for many of us, especially those who are accountants, April will be a VERY BUSY month. Although I am an accountant, I am not a tax accountant, so my busy-ness is not related to the dreaded Tax Time, instead for me it's related to preparing for quarterly regulatory requirements. That being said, I have to adjust for my goals this month, as I will be working long hours as well as taking on a new role at work.

Remember, adjusting for the cycles in your life is completely appropriate, both on and off the yoga mat. You want to set yourself up for success, not failure and at the same time push yourself to an appropriate edge of learning and self-discovery.

My top priorities this month:

• Finish my TAXES - for an accountant, I have no excuse!

• #PHOTADAYAPRIL ~ I love the idea of expressing creativity through the lens, capturing a moment you find beautiful ~ Join in with me! The photo challenge is coordinated by @fatmumslim.

• Continue reading Real Happiness. The book is designed to be a 28 day guide through meditation broken into 4 weeks. WELL, let's just say I'm a slow reader. Really, I don't find the value in rushing through it. So I've been focusing on the first style of meditation focused on breathing techniques, as I feel ready I will move onto to the next chapter. I do highly recommend the book if you are interested in learning about meditation ~ especially about how to not beat yourself up over 'thinking'.
 
 
• I picked my Stained Glass project!! It is going to be the symbol OM in glass! My goal is not to complete the project this month, but to begin in it, cutting out the pattern and picking the colors
 
• Advanced Teacher Training Thesis Exploration - I can't believe there is only 3 months left of the advanced teacher training (TT500) program I am in at Tranquil Space! Which means I ONLY have 3 months to work on my thesis!! This month I want to focus on"
• Conducting remaining interviews of teachers/students
• Provide 4 free private lessons to 2-3 people
• Start writing the body of my paper
 
• 1/2 Marathon Training - this actually started the last week in March, but it will continue on until mid June!
 
• Cherry Blossom Yoga on the Mall ~ how I love yoga outside! 4/7/12 at 10am

• The Way of the Woman workshop at Tranquil Space with Sara Avant

• Family visit over Easter weekend ~ Lots of fun spring festivities to plan
 
• How can I forget all of the lovely habits I started to implement in March, including hydrating, choosing to move (hello yoga and walking!), connecting with nature, the power of touch, meditation and choosing vegan options.
 
• Lastly, but definitely not least, as I mentioned in the beginning is finding balance with my career, growing into a new role at work as well as completing all of our corporate tasks timely!

Have you thought about what your spring-time will bring you? Maybe take a few moments to write down your top 3 to 5 things you want to complete this month.

Happy Springing!