Evolution.

It's a good thing my legs are short. Thanks Mom and Dad for that- it's allowing me to be the most comfortable person in coach on this airplane at the moment. Back against the window, feet stretched to the aisle, one earphone in, the other out (so I can hear when we are beginning our decent to paradise), drinking my Breathe Deep Yogi tea. I could I say I am a happy camper, at the very least.

WOW what an intense past few days it has been. Leaving Sacramento and everything that needed to happen before I felt good about going was like a full-time job. Good thing I didn’t have a technical one! I kept saying, "Just keep going... When you get to Maui you will have nothing to do but enjoy yourself." Hopefully, it will unfold that way still. I believe it will. Just me, my bike, my new surfboard (thanks to Mr. Zac Diebels), and my new family- Maureen, Jed and the babes.

Thank you to everyone who came out to my party on Sunday. To all the friends and family that made the extra effort to fit some time in with me during the busy holiday season. To those who have granted me blessings and kind wishes and good thoughts. To Mom and Dad and brother (and Melissa, Brandon and Augie) for helping to get things in order so I could leave without tons of weight on my shoulders. To Maren for being my "life manager" these past few weeks- keeping me on track and helping to make my decisions for me. You don't know how much it helped. Love you all.

January 1st, 2011. 1.1.11. Daaang. I'm not big on New Year's really, because the hype is surrounded by resolutions. Last night I taught my last yoga class in Sacramento and we called it a New Year's Evolution class instead of Resolution. Smart, right? It makes sense. If you had to choose between the root words resolve and evolve, wouldn’t you rather choose evolve? To resolve seems restrictive. To evolve is expansive. We are all always changing-- evolving. Sometimes, we resolve, but mostly evolve, or at least I'd like to think we are. I think it might be the truth too. That's for you to decide for yourself.

If any kind of symbolism rings true for me this day, January 1st, it is the idea of new beginnings. Cheers to that!!  I have no idea what I am in for. I haven’t even ever been to Maui. I don’t even know what it looks, smells, tastes or feels like. What I do know is that it's new and for once in my life, I am curious about a new place. My attachment to Sacramento is pretty strong. As I rolled down the rails on the train last night, tears welled up. I almost asked if it could go back. As Shelly took Melissa and me to the airport this morning, I asked if she could just go back down 80 to my home. She turned and smiled. Not a chance. J Good thing my friends are supportive and strong. And good thing I can't ask the plane to turn around.

Yes, of course I'm nervous as hell. But I'm also excited to see what is to come. I look around at all the people on the plane with me and wonder what they are going for. I bet no one is looking at me saying silently, "Oh, that girl is moving there. Wow." Most are probably for pleasure. Maybe some are for business. There might even be one or two others that are doing the same thing I am. Regardless, the one thing I can recognize in everyone else is that they took the time and the money to make this 'vacation' happen for themselves and their families. I think that's great. They thought to start the year off surrounded by beauty and the majesty of the islands. They are taking care of themselves. My only hope for them is that they actually get to relax. Traveling can be stressful.

My only hope for me is that I get to continue evolving. I feel like I will be spending a lot of time alone here. Out in the water. On the beach. In cafes and a hammock. Alone time is something I haven’t really experienced much of. Always a busy little bee-- making friends and things happen. Yes, I will totally make friends and things happen, just at a slower pace. The solitude will help to open my mind to who Anna really is. Deep, deep down. I definitely have an idea, but I want to know more, and when I find out, let the diamond shine! Get creative! Don’t hold back!

Everyone needs different things in their lives at different times. Whether it's grounding or shooting for the stars. I encourage you all to tune in to some solitude this week to explore what it is you really need for yourself- to encourage your evolution. Then, take action. I can feel this year is going to be good, for everyone. Cheers to you all on your paths. Happy 2011, my dear friends. Til next time.... Aloha!

The life you've always DREAMED of....

In the past few days, I think the word most spoken to me is 'jealous'. People say, "OH MY GOOOOOD, I'm so jealous of youuuu!" (In a very excited voice). Or, "I'm jealous." (In a more somber tone, with serious eyes). Either way, I can't escape it. I understand I am moving to Maui, supposedly one of the most beautiful places on Mother Earth. Maybe I underestimate its beauty since I have never been there. We'll see in 3 more days. But I'm wondering about the jealousy... Just trying to figure it out. Let me paint two pictures, then we'll continue.

Picture #1: On the same day, at the same time (we can use my real-life situation- January 1st), every person on the planet decided to shoot for their wildest dream and make a positive change in their life. They changed their job because they hated it. Or ended their marriage because they were stuck in unhappiness. Or moved to Maui, for instance. :) Each person was stoked!! So excited the change finally happened!! Looking forward to how it plays out in their life. Faces are glowing!! Then, the aftermath- getting resettled. There is always that period of re-grounding after a major change, no matter how good or bad it feels. So now, we have a completely unsettled group of humans. Dang.

Picture #2: Every day, 100 people out of the entire human population (billions, right?) decided to make a major change for the betterment of their lives. They did what they had to do to make it happen, and that day they felt every emotion possible- excitement, sadness, curiosity, fear- all of them, just like the folks in Picture #1. They were still glowing, but ungrounded. The resettling process sets in for those 100 lucky humans. The good news: the rest of the group is there to offer support. The barista is still foaming milk. The yoga teacher still shows up to teach class. The garbage man still picks up the trash on the right day. Cool.

I tried to make the pictures as unbiased as possible. I didn't do a very good job, though. My point is this: We can't all move to Maui. The island would be too crowded. We can't all make these major changes all the time. We would be even crazier than we are as a whole. However, we CAN all set the wheels in motion and when the time comes, C'est la vie. Seize the freaking day! Do it! What are you waiting for?!!

People say they are jealous because I am going to Maui to spend some time in paradise. Is that your dream? Then come with me! Do you dream of a different heaven on Earth? One that would make you glow? Then seek it out, my friends. This heaven I speak of could also exist in your mind. All external circumstances aside, your journey is an internal one, seeking for a new understanding. Ahhh, you say it's not that easy, huh? Maybe.... maybe you are right. Maybe what you are meant to do right now is be just where you are. Maybe that is perfect for you right now. But the real question is, "Then what's next?" What's the next step toward your own enlightenment?  If you have the dream, you have something to work towards, otherwise you wouldn't be dreaming of it. I know a few people who are pretty content with their lives, yes. But I'm almost positive most of us have thoughts of living our dreams. So what's the hold up?

I had a thought of thinking I was mistaken. Maybe everyone's wheels are set in action and I just don't realize it. Hmmmmm. They could be if you thinking about it from a certain angle- that everyone truly is where they are supposed to be right now. Some suffering and contracting and others rejoicing and expanding. Possible, yes.

Buuuuut, I'm not convinced. I think a lot more sparks could be flying from us beings. Point #2 for the night: Seek the life you've always DREAMED of. I promise, it's not that hard. I'm doing it, if that gives you any sense of hope. And I'm not the only one, so there is some more hope for you. This time we have right now could be taken from us in a split second. A plane could crash into my bed as I lay here and type to you. God forbid that happens. But it's possible.

I have faith in us. Us as a collective human race. We can do it- make the changes for the better. Glow...  Brightly. It's scary, but trust me, it's so worth it. (And people compliment on your skin, which always is nice to hear.)

Xoxoxo, my loves. Good night. Sweet, sweet, fulfilling dreams to you.