“If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” ~African Proverb
It was Friday, October 28th, 2011. I was out running errand after errand, in preparation for a big celebration to happen the next day. Me and my husband were hosting a party at our home to celebrate our little girl, who was turning one on October 29th.
I’ll never forget standing in line at Moe’s on Transit Road. I was starving from all my running around and had paused to grab a bite to go, before returning home to start decorating.
While standing in line, my cell phone rang. I answered it, and on the other line was Beth O’Keefe, the Business Development Rep. that my husband and I had been working with at the Erie County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA).
We had submitted our business plan and application through Beth, for a loan, to hopefully open a yoga studio. The review and decision process was a couple months long, as the loan committee at the ECIDA took our business plan and application into consideration.
I remember those two months feeling like an eternity, as I waited to find out whether or not I’d be granted the funds to make my dream of opening a yoga studio a reality.
My heart began racing when I heard Beth’s voice on the other end of my phone.
She asked, “Is this an okay time to chat?”
I said, “Can I give you a call back in five minutes? I’m just in line to grab a quick bite to eat to go.”
She said, “Yes, no problem.”
My heart continued to race as I stood in line, completed my food order, got my order, and returned to my car. I remember saying a silent prayer in my car, telling God that whatever His will was, I was fine with it and to not let me be afraid, as I returned Beth’s phone call. With that, I took a deep breath, dialed Beth’s number, and continued to breathe deeply until Beth answered the phone.
Once on the line, Beth asked how I was doing and then said, “I’m calling to let you know that the committee has decided to approve you for the loan. Congratulations.”
I’m pretty sure I replied at first with, “Are you serious?” I remember Beth laughing and saying, “Yes.”
I remember being in shock and overwhelmed with emotion. I kept thanking Beth over and over again. When our call ended, I cried tears of joy in my car and said a silent prayer again, thanking God for this blessing. I then drove home to share the news in-person with my husband and to start decorating for our little girl’s birthday party.
I remember being in shock and overwhelmed with emotion. I kept thanking Beth over and over again. When our call ended, I cried tears of joy in my car…
October 28th, 2011, was the day that changed everything. It was the day that my dream was set into motion. It was the day my life was soon to change in ways more challenging, beautiful, and powerful than I ever could have imagined.
In just a matter of days, Mind Body Flow Yoga, will mark its six year anniversary (on March 12th, 2018). As I reflect back on all that has led up to this special milestone, I am overwhelmed with emotion and joy.
As I reflect back on all that has led up to this special milestone, I am overwhelmed with emotion and joy.
Nearly six years ago, I cut a red ribbon and opened our doors, with a mission of helping to change lives through the practice of Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga, and a motto of “Bring peace to the mind, through a connection to the body, so you can flow through life with greater ease.”
Together, as a community, we have successfully brought peace to our minds, connected with our bodies, and flowed through our lives with greater ease.
Lives have most definitely changed.
And our community has grown in size and energy.
I thank you all for your courage and your willingness to show up time and time again and do the work.
I thank you for entrusting a part of your life that is so personal to Mind Body Flow Yoga.
I am humbled by your courage and your determination to expand as human beings, both on and off the mat. You help make Mind Body Flow Yoga the beautiful community that it is. You inspire me daily and give me the fuel I need to keep doing what I’m doing, in times that I doubt myself.
You inspire me daily and give me the fuel I need to keep doing what I’m doing, in times that I doubt myself.
None of this would be possible without your continued support and commitment. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.
One of my favorite songs is, “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole.” My favorite verses are “Dreams really do come true,” and “Why, oh why can’t I?” Dreams really do come true! And, why can’t I? It doesn’t matter how old you are. It doesn’t matter what your past looks like. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve failed or fallen down. Never give up on your dreams! You can. I can. We can!
Let us take time this month to celebrate how far we have come as a community and all the joys that surely lie ahead of us. As a community, may we continue to grow, stretch, and go far together.
