Happiness, harmony, and contentment

Happy day mon (yes, island vibes continue)...


What a gorgeous spring weekend. Colors are exploding, flowers opening, birds singing, all while kids play & people run, bike, walk, and enjoy the outdoors. New life abounds. And as earth day approaches on April 22, let us remember to honor our great mother, especially at this time of year!

Amidst all this beauty, I was personally a little off all weekend. Easter Sunday I awoke after a restless night's sleep at 5am sad and surly. My kids were with their other parents, my pastor husband was working in preparation for Sunday services, and our extended families are a 2.5 hour car ride or a plane ride away. No baskets, egg hunts, laughter or normal family chaos I adore Easter morning. Life was quiet & I felt lonely. After 6amcoffee did not shift my mood, I expressed my feelings to my husband who listened carefully and then needed to get back work (as is totally appropriate, albeit a little frustrating). Not knowing what else to do, I turned to nature. I flipped on our backyard lights and wouldn't you know it... there sat the easter bunny right on our lawn. A beautiful momma bunny,  pregnant and peaceful. As she too sat alone, her sweet message to me seemed to channel Bob Marley... 'don't worry about a thing mon. It's gonna be 'irie.' Laughing and crying I smiled and knew she was right.

Irie is a Jamacian Patwah word. It's considered Rastafarian slang that means alright, good, pleasing. It's a pleasantry exchanged when people greet one another with 'Good morning mon. How are you?" IRIE. I like it. Simple. Positive energy & vibes flowing for you and the other person. Even though you &/or they may not be doing well at all, this standard response sets a positive tone, an exchange of uplifted energy, and hope for a 'no problem' way of living. ​

Though Easter did not go the way I hoped, life did abound. The situation did not shift, I did. I chose to live the day in a more beautiful state. With the help of my friend Mrs. Easter Bunny I was able to let go of my sad story, take a breath of gratitude for the life I have been blessed with, and  make the day 'irie' for someone else. I got out of my small self by taking a run then going to church. This put me in a present state where I was able to see the pain on another's face at church, invite them alongside me, and hold compassionate space of love & friendship for them. It was better than irie. 

Jamaica continues to speak to me in subtle yet powerful ways- the people, language, culture, and island vibe. And this week at EmbodyGR it's gonna be irie. Show up, bring your whole self, problems and all, and do your work in community to shift your life in the direction you choose to go.


Live life irie,
dana

Upcoming Events

April 19, 2017

Who: YOU, mon!
What: yoga, meditation, & service
Where: FSC- Social Hall
When: Wed. April 19, 2017 @ 6:30-8:00pm
Why: To live life irie!

April 22 - GR March for Science (Earth Day) - FREE!
When: April 22nd from 10:30am - 12pm
Where: GVSU Pew Campus, 401 Fulton St 
What: A satellite March for Science: Science plays a vital role in our lives and our democracy. This event will illuminate, appreciate and support science.

April 28 - Function is Fashion Show & Luncheon
When: Friday, April 28th from 11:30am - 1pm
Where: Watermark Country Club
What: Fundraiser for EmbodyGR
Find more info or sign up HERE!!!

​May
May 13 -
Heartside All Stars for Health- Let's Cheer them ON! 
Fifth Third Riverbank Run!

Volunteers Needed!
Volunteers are the heart of the Revive & Thrive Project and we need a few more helping hands. Volunteering with the Revive & Thrive is very rewarding and we will provide you with training and gratitude.

Contact Wendy at [email protected] or616-581-4103.

"Live for yourself and you will live in vain; Live for others, and you will live again."
~ Bob Marley