a lesson from a turtle

“Adopt the pace of nature:  her secret is patience.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you have ever taken the time to watch a turtle walk, you know they move at a slow pace.  I think we all could learn something from turtles...slow down.

Last week I was on my way to an appointment.  I noticed something in the middle of the road.  At first I couldn’t make out what it was, but I could see that it was moving ever so slightly.  As I got closer, I realized it was a turtle making it’s way slowly across the busy road.

I panicked.  What do I do?  If I just drive by, it will surely get hit.  I couldn’t allow that to happen.  I had to do something.  So I stopped my car and got out, causing every car behind me to stop.  I was afraid to pick up the turtle--having never handled one, I was scared I would hurt it or something--so instead, I started to talk to the turtle.  I bent down and asked the little guy to move.

Well, you can imagine what the people in the growing traffic jam thought about the stupid girl talking to a turtle in the middle of the road.  People were honking, sticking their heads out the window, and probably muttering profanities because they would be 30 seconds late to wherever they were headed.

Have some patience people!  I’m trying to save a turtle!

Finally, the little guy turned around and started to slowly walk back toward the side of the road where he had come from.  As soon as he was safe, I got back in my car and drove off.

Later on that afternoon, as I was thinking about the little turtle, I was sad to think about the idea of what would have happened if I hadn’t stopped.  Many people are in such a hurry that they would have just kept driving.  Some may not have even had the patience to put on the breaks or try to avoid whatever creature happened to be crossing the road.  Where is the compassion for animals?  Big or small, they are alive and deserve our love and respect.  

So often we rush through life, whether we are late for a meeting or have such a busy schedule that we have no time to relax and enjoy.  If we all just try and slow down, even just a little bit, maybe we can see the beauty all around us and appreciate the simple things in life...even in the tiny turtle venturing across a busy road.

Namaste

life

I’ll be perfectly honest. I’ve hardly worked on the shirts this week. Life has gotten in the way. This past week has been awfully sad, with the passing of two family-friends just days apart.

Sometimes events such as this put everything back into perspective. Tomorrow is not a guarantee. I think we often get caught up in the madness that is everyday life, and we rarely stop to reflect on how beautiful life is. It’s truly a gift!

If I have learned anything, it is to make the most of the time you have. Spend it with the people you love. Surround yourself with good people. Live a life of peace, integrity and meaning. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Life is short. Live in the moment and enjoy the time we have.

“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count.  It's the life in your years.” ~Abraham Lincoln

Namaste,
Julie

a sneak peek...

The free to be yoga tee line is made with love and respect for nature.  I spent a good deal of time researching shirt companies, screen printers and the like in an effort to be as earth-friendly as possible.  Every detail and decision that has gone into the shirts has been influenced by my goal of keeping this line brand green.

With this said, I am excited to share a sneak peek at one of these small details!  It’s the free to be yoga tee hangtag.

A hangtag, you may ask...what is so special about that?  Well, I will tell you.  The hangtag is embedded with wildflower seeds.  Once you buy your tee, cut off the tag, plant in fine soil and watch the seedlings grow into beautiful flowers!   The paper itself will recycle naturally into the soil.  And to stay true to the free to be yoga tee brand, the hangtags, of course, are made in the USA!

I have been inspired by nature, and through this line, I can give back to nature in a small way...and that makes me happy.

“Look at the trees, look at the birds, look at the clouds, look at the stars... and if you have eyes you will be able to see that the whole existence is joyful.  Everything is simply happy.  Trees are happy for no reason; they are not going to become prime ministers or presidents and they are not going to become rich and they will never have any bank balance.  Look at the flowers - for no reason.  It is simply unbelievable how happy flowers are.”  ~Osho

Namaste, everyone!