What do you think of when you read that word?  I think of the Beatles song.  Sadly, I also think of the Nike commercial featuring the song.  The power of advertising.  Am I right? Well lately when I think of “revolution” a couple other things come to mind.  One is the current political climate and the recent marches and protests.  I didn’t march for personal, non-political reasons (I *hate* crowds so much that I would basically be having an extended panic attack) but I loved seeing people’s photos and posts on Instagram.  And the hats!  I love that an idea like that caught on and went viral.  So cool.  But I struggle with how to process how our country got here and where we are headed.  I find myself getting more and more upset.  But it isn’t rage so much as a deep deep sadness.  A sadness that I am not able to process because I fear it would consume me.  Honestly, it is that bad.  So I need to make a decision about how much of it I am willing to read about and listen to.  How much “news” can I as a fragile human take?  I think I am able to take maybe one short story a day.  Some days, not even that.  Because even a headline can send me into a spiral.  But today, “revolution” also means yoga.  Yep, yoga.  I found a link through an internet rabbit hole to a YouTube page for Yoga with Adriene.  I did a couple of her beginner videos and I was quickly hooked.  Then as January started to near I saw that she was doing something called a 31 day yoga revolution.  Yes, please.  I signed me right up.  And so now, when I think of the word revolution, I also think of the commitment I can make to myself.  To be present and mindful and kind to myself.  Even if it is only for 30 minutes on a yoga mat, it makes a difference to me.   I mentioned it to my meditation class and one of the guys in the group let me know that he started doing it and that he is really enjoying it.  That made me stupid happy!  I offered a suggestion to someone else who was suffering and it helped them!  How amazing is that?!  One thing I know about myself, I really want to help people.  I think that might be the most true thing I know about myself.  That and the fact that I love a good pair or two or three of shoes.  Yes, my autobiography could be titled, “Be Kind And Buy The Shoes!” I hope you find the revolution that is meaningful to you today.

(note on photo: taken by me of Flannery.  Yesterday.  Because every day these cats remind me to stop what I am doing and notice how incredibly cute they are and how lucky I am to have a house full of the joy they bring.)