Saturday, January 29, 2011

NY Yankees Women's Mini-Fantasy Camp


I have returned home from NY Yankees Women's Mini-Fantasy Camp with my heart feeling so incredibly full and an enormous smile on my face.  It was a trip of a lifetime, one that I will never forget.  I was only a spectator at this amazing camp and am still floating on these feelings.  I cannot even begin to imagine what the women who played must be feeling.

This was the very first all women's camp in the MLB and the NY Yankees put together a world class experience.  The amazing individuals, who had a vision, took a chance, and put together the camp did a spectacular job with every little detail.  Women from all walks of life, each with their own stories came together for one thing, their love of the NY Yankees and respect for the Yankees Organization.  I was incredibly lucky to attend as a fan and cheer on my three Aunts: Alice, Kathy and Patty.  Seeing them in pinstripes out there on the field playing are memories that are etched deeply into my heart.

If I had to choose one word to describe what it felt like to be there for those three days the word would be community.  It is an extremely powerful thing when women come together and are kind to one another.  The women at this camp blew my mind and heart wide open.  They cheered each other on, truly wanted to see each other succeed, supported one another, laughed with one another, and were filled with this incredible amount of excitement.  The energy that poured out of these women was electric.  It filled my heart to have the privilege to witness all of this.  It reminded me of all of the good that is in this world and I was able to see first hand the beauty that can unfold when people are kind to one another.

Every single individual at the camp was incredibly kind and supportive.  The amazing group of people who put together the camp, the women who had the courage to fulfill their dream and come, the fans that cheered them on, the Greats who took the players under their wings, the individuals that served us delicious meals, everyone was phenomenal.  An incredible community was formed at George M Steinbrenner Field.

The Greats ~ Homer Bush, Bucky Dent, Tino Martinez, Gil Patterson, Mickey Rivers, Darryl Strawberry, Mike Torrez, and Roy White, welcomed these women onto the field and treated each of them with the utmost respect.  They coached and guided them on how to play baseball.  They laughed with them, joked with them, and cheered them on.  Simply from watching you could tell that everyone was having so much fun.

Community and coming together is a really important thing in this world. The NY Yankees created a unique and special community at Fantasy Camp.  Bonds were formed that will last a lifetime.  The women who attended are filled with amazing memories and new friends to share the future with.  If you have an inkling that you want to attend my advise to you would be to go for it.  I guarantee you won't regret it.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

she


She dreamed of the day things were different between them
But she realized she must be tender with herself, and how things are now
She wished with her whole heart that his eyes had a different view
But she realized she must concentrate first on what it is she sees
She hoped beyond hope that he just gave her a chance, a moment, a brief sliver of time
But she realized that if he did not desire that, than that is how it was meant to be
She just wanted it to be easier
Not hurt so much
Not take so long
But she knows the universe is hard at work
And she can surrender to that thought
Things have a way of working out
They always have and they always will
And when that day comes
She will then cross over

Sunday, January 23, 2011

it is what it is


It is not as complicated as you think
Really it is not
We have a habit of over thinking
Analyzing every word spoken
Picking apart each detail

But really
What you see
Is what you get
There is no hidden meaning
No subplot that no one is talking about
It just is what it is
As simple as that

Why is it so difficult for us to accept simple?
Why are we always searching for what may be beneath?
Why can we not just realize it is not that complicated?

Life is pretty straight forward
There is no reason to go into detective mode
Just embrace what is before you
Because that is what is true
That is what is real

Thursday, January 20, 2011

reach out


I was soaring through the sky
Feeling light
Strong
Happy
Amazed
Flying gracefully
Soaking in the view
It was beautiful

Until I started to plummet
Unpleasant words entering my ears
Frustrations building up
My stomach twisting into knots
I could feel the darkness creeping in
A crumbling crash from my incredible high

I knew I had to take control
Otherwise it would spread wildly through me
I reached out to a friend
Removed myself from the darkness
And grounded myself into my light

We cannot travel on our paths alone
Sometimes that small moment
That brief encounter
That contagious laugh
Is all we need to bring us back
But we cannot get that
Unless we ask for help

We are never alone
There is always someone there
Who will help us along
Hold our hand
Listen to our stories

Reach for them when you feel yourself falling
They may not be able to tell
How deeply drained you are inside
Until you share it with them
Open yourself up to them
Allow them to be there for you

It is during our most vulnerable times
That we deeply connect
Allow yourself to be seen
Even in your darkness
That moment of truth
Will lead you to the light

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

i stand here

     tampa florida, standing in the sunshine

I stand here
Deeply rooted in love
Blessed with all that I am surrounded by
I am in awe of how it happens

I stand here wondering
How I can be so lucky?
I cannot figure it out
But I embrace it
Stopping to soak it all in

I stand here
In this beautiful world
Encircled with love
Friendship
Laughter
Surprise
Support
It is amazing

I stand here
With my heart overflowing
A smile on my face from ear to ear
Excitement pouring out of my eyes
As I thank the universe for all that I have been blessed with

I am so grateful to be standing here

Sunday, January 16, 2011

speechless


My heart and soul are overflowing with joy and love
My words are coming out jumbled and twisted
Unable to clearly express what I witnessed the past few days

Bravery
Strength 
Courage
Love
Community

Just a few words to describe what I was immersed in
It it going to take a few days to process 
I am savoring each moment

I watched these incredible women in Florida
Then came home to a few surprises
From some of the amazing women in my life today

Tears fell from my eyes
My heart and soul bursted with joy
I feel so blessed in life, so very blessed

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Transported back

view from above while being transported back

She sat there
With pen in hand
Moving effortlessly across the paper
She was being transported back
To another time
Another place
To the person she was before

The feelings were real
It was as if she were there
Everything happening right in that moment
She was submerged deeply back into this world

Grateful for everything
Feeling so incredibly lucky for the experience
She was able to see how far she had come
And smile for all that she had gone through

The powers of pen and paper
Unfolding directly in her hand
Transporting her back
Teaching her about herself
Pushing her forward

Saturday, January 08, 2011

we must


We must tell the truth of our story
Share all of the pieces that make up who we are
We must show ourselves to the world
Perfectly imperfect
Exactly as we are
Because we are beautiful creatures
Creating magic wherever we go
Just by being ourselves

We must open up our hearts and soul
Allow them to let beauty and goodness to enter
We must not be afraid of this
Soak it all in
Embrace what is before us
Then share it with the world

We must breathe deeply
Letting it all in
The happiness as well as the sadness
Each of these things balancing out the other
Show them all to the world
Wear them proudly
So that you can let others in

We must be true to ourselves
Each and every day
Standing tall in who we are
We must


~How do you show yourself to the world?

Friday, January 07, 2011

grateful


In this moment I am so grateful for
... my little apartment
... music that makes my feet wanna dance
... conversations with friends far away
... criticism
... a knowing smile
... chai tea
... laughter
... working

What are you grateful for?

Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Unsure



As you stand before me
I can feel myself wanting to invite you in
Pulling you just a little bit closer
Showing you a deeper side of me
Thoughts of taking that step closer
Rush through my body
But I hesitate
I step back
I am unsure of how to do this
Wondering if I even should

Sunday, January 02, 2011

L*O*V*E


My word choose me
Before I even had a chance to think about it
It was right there
Waiting for me to declare it
I could not shake it
Even when I tried
The word felt right
Yet so wrong to say out loud

I come to this space
To share the truth of my story
To show my soul
And wear my heart on my sleeve
So I knew I had to be honest here
I knew I had to show up
With my word in the palm of my hands
Ready to show you all

So I am doing just that
Even though it feels bold to say
I am showing up
With my word in the palm of my hands
And sharing it with you all

My word for 2011 is
Love

I have come a long way on this journey through life
I never could have imagined that I would be here
It has been amazing traveling down these paths
I am so lucky for everything that I have encountered
I have grown
I have learned
And I have found myself during this journey

I am now ready
Ready to embrace love
To open up my world to that deeper connection
I am going into this year with my hands open
Facing forward
Ready to accept whatever comes my way
I am not afraid
I am open

~~~
The below quote by Brene Brown is how I approach love.  I have learned over the past few years that the only way to truly live is to allow myself to be seen for exactly who I am.  I am on this journey to show my most authentic self to the world.  In doing that I have been met with kindness, compassion, and understanding.  It has opened up the doors for connection on a deeper level.  And I need to connect on that deeper level.  It feeds my soul.  So when I think about love I think about it this way.

"when we let our most vulnerable selves and our most powerful selves be deeply seen and known.  and when that offering is met with respect and kindness and trust, that is what love is.

love is letting ourselves be deeply seen and known and then honoring the connection that happens between two people who are willing to do that with kindness and respect." ~ Brene Brown


~What is your word for 2011?  I would love for you to share it here or link me to your blog so that I can read what you choose. 

Saturday, January 01, 2011

yet to speak it


I sit here pondering what my word for 2011 will be
I can feel it
I can taste it
I can see it
I know what the word is
My problem is
I am afraid to say
The word seems to bold to speak out loud
To daring to choose for an entire year
So I am going to sit with it for another day
Let it settle deeply into me
Maybe tomorrow I will open up
And share what the word is

~ Have you chosen your word yet?  If so I would like to hear it if you are willing to share.