love is frosting a cake

​I don't believe in making New Years resolutions.

I've never been successful at committing to losing weight or inventing a consistent schedule to benefit my sanity, nor do I have the desire to do a juice cleanse for a month. I envy the people who have that drive, but I need to be honest with my capabilities. 

I did however, spontaneously sign up for a yoga and meditation workshop on New Years Eve.

It was 8am and the sky had poured snow the night before. My "snow mobile" was inching along, hoping that what I was drifting on was actually the pavement. I slid in the parking lot, and stumbled out into the snow behind a few other women heading towards a snow covered garage; all of us bundled in our marshmallow coats.

​The next hour and a half was both spiritual and emotional. The room was packed with warm smiles. Christmas lights strung around the inside of the garage softened the sounds of our heavy breathing while we dipped in and out of each flow. We all ignored the heater tucked into the ceiling that roared while we laid in savasana altogether. 

​The theme of the workshop was Awaken; to shed memories of the old year and look towards new possibilities. Within silence and stillness, creativity is born. 

Our instructor encouraged us to focus within to cultivate love and empowerment. We acknowledge love in so many ways, but guiding it inward can be challenging.

The most personal and important piece of that morning came from one of our teachers during the practice guiding us through meditation;

"Love is frosting a cake."

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Photography courtesy of Rachel Joy Barehl. See more of her work here.