In past years I celebrated St. Patrick's Day because, well, everyone else did. This year I celebrate with more appreciation for the people, the land, and its traditions.I am not Irish but after careful digging of his ancestral tree, my husband discovered many roots in Ireland. So, last year my family visited there. We stayed in Dublin and traveled south on some day trips to Waterford and Kilkenny.

Ireland is filled with history, green covered hills, sheep grazing the land, castles and churches, but most of all, some of the friendliest and funniest people I've ever met. I now have friends from Ireland that I've met through my yoga and qigong journeys and I am always inspired by their compassion for human nature, and love for their land, lore, stories and whiskey.

They've gifted us with blessings, leprechauns, fairies, humor, and strong Goddess warriors like Brigid. They celebrate the passings of the seasons with dances, music and rituals that celebrate the earth, sky and everything in between.

So, today, I share the luck of the Irish with you with my own little 'Irish' Blessing.

May you awaken with a smile.

May the day nourish you with love.

May beauty surround you from below and above.

May your inner strength guide you.

And at the end of the day, may you go to bed with gratitude in your heart

and excitement for the next day to come.

A brand new episode of Chat Off The Mat will be available this Sunday, March 19th. Jennifer and I interview a friend, mentor and fellow Qigong instructor Clayton Crosley. Clayton has been instrumental in helping veterans learn, appreciate and heal from qigong. Listen to his story. You will be inspired.

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If you're looking for a funny and feel good movie, check out "Faraway" on Netflix. It's filmed in beautiful Croatia. You'll need subtitled.

If you have any questions, have any topics you want us to discuss on Chat Off The Mat, or interest in learning Reiki please reach out to me.