"How we spend our days is, of course,
 how we spend our lives."
~ Annie Dillard ~  

I thought today would be a good day to take a look at the past year of my life in a fun A-Z way with pictures included.  I thought twenty-six short stories would be a good way to bring this particular blog to a close. I will be returning to blogging here quite frequently as well here from time to time and a new blog is in development on my soon-to-be unveiled website.  It's been many months since I've last written a post on The Ultimate Yes so to those of you who have subscribed and might still be reading this thing...thank you.  I hope to continue our correspondence and connections elsewhere on the web. 

The last day of 2009...wow!  Here are some of the people, places and experiences that have made my life this past year what it was. 

Applied Improvisational Network Conference ~ For four days in November, I learned from and played with 100+ people from various places around the planet.  The conference reaffirmed for me how important play, creativity and authentic expression is in the world. This is a new tribe of folks I'm excited to be a part of.

BeachDance ~ This past summer was the second season I held ecstatic dance events in Cannon Beach.  In addition to having twenty-two public dances, I was hired to facilitate three private group events.  Beach Dance is growing and getting more press.  It has been and continues to be an extraordinary and exciting adventure. I can hardly wait for Season Three! 

Chris Guillebeau ~ A thirty-year old traveling and writing wonder.  His blog is one of only a handful I read on a regular basis and it is superb!   I've learned a lot from this guy and he's inspired me many a time. 

Decluttering ~ Life is not about stuff and I've realized lately that I have too much of it.  Downsizing, simplifying and choosing to live with less has been refreshing and incredibly freeing.

Escape to Maui ~ My husband, James and I went to Maui for eight days in mid-October to sit on a sandy beach, swim in warm waters and relax in the sun.  We're quite skilled when it comes to island living. 

Facing Reality ~ James' mom and dad passed away this year just six months apart from one another.  They both lived long lives, but that doesn't make their deaths any easier to bear.  The truth is...life is full of painful events and it's incredibly short.  Getting older makes you incredibly aware of these things.  Living life fully each and every day is so important.  Take nothing for granted. 

Garden of Morrell ~ When James' dad died in May, I created a flower garden In honor of him.  Morrell was his middle name.  I'm still thinking about what I'd like to create to honor his mum.

Happily Married for Three Years ~ Like Jack Johnson's song says, "It's always better when we're together." I couldn't agree more.

Interplay ~ I've known of this organization for a couple of years and have felt a deep connection with them because of their passion for playing and storytelling. I suspected one of the founders, Cynthia Winton Henry and I were kindred spirits, but when I met her at the AIN conference (see A's link for info) it felt like she was family. I LOVE meeting people who are as silly as I am.

Jonathan Fields ~ Brilliant blogger.  Beautiful man.  Better human being.

Kicked Ass ~ After training for three months, I ran the Flying Pig Half Marathon in May in 1:47:55.  Not great by any Olympic standards, but I was happy with it.  I also met the wonderful and witty Patti Digh who inspired me to do the damn thing in the first place. She was just as genuine and lovely in person as she is on her blog.  

Lying, Lust & Love ~ I thought I was going to write my book in 2009.  Instead I completely ignored it.  That's not going to happen this year.  My book will be written in 2010. No shit.

Mom & Me ~ We took a vacation to Smith River, California in August and spent four days being with each other.  We hung out at the river, danced on the beach, ate way too much food and enjoyed our time away together.

Nathan, My Nephew ~  I didn't see this sweet kid (or his brother, Bryson) as much as I wanted to this past year.  Nathan just turned one years old three weeks ago. They grow up so darn fast!   I think Nathan looks a lot like his mommy did when she was just a baby.  I love being an auntie and I will make the long drive to my sister's more often this coming year.

O.A.S.C. ~ This past summer marked nine years of being a counselor at the same Leadership Camp I attended when I was in high school.  The third week of July has been a time I've looked forward to for almost a decade now.

Playful Spirit ~ I am in the midst of developing a new website for my business.  It was time for a change. The Playful Spirit will go live sometime during the first week of the new year.  

Quitting ~ After working at the Cannon Beach Spa on and off for the past eight years, I decided it was time to let it go for good.  November 7 was a sweet day.   

Retreats ~ It's been two years since I've held one here at the coast and I've missed them.  I'm considering creating a four-day event to be held in the fall of 2010.  I have a feeling it's going to be different than anything I've done before.  I have a feeling it isn't something I'll facilitate alone.  Those two things alone get me excited about the possibility.

Soulbiographies ~ Nic Askew is the lovely lad from London (who now lives in Minneapolis) who made a film a little over three years ago starring yours truly.  His work continues to amaze and inspire me along with hundreds of others scattered about the world. My book will be dedicated to him.  

Tsunami Studio ~ Having my own dance studio was an adventure I'll never forget. In a year's time, my business partner and I created a beautiful space and a small community of people who loved to dance.  While we weren't successful enough to afford another year of it, I'm incrediblly grateful to my husband for making it financially possible to have made a dream come true for us.  The studio closed its doors at the end of September and we're still dancing. 

Unique Friends ~ I remember my mother saying to me at my wedding how different all my friends were. It's true, I have a very eclectic group of folks I am proud to be pals with.  I may not see all these women as often as I'd like to, but they make up the core circle of my closest comrades. I love each of them dearly for their unique qualities and for the lovely friendship we share.  Thank you, Wendy, Tayna, Shannon, Nicole, Layne, Karen, Joan, Elia, Earlene, Dawn, Carol and Amy for the moments we had together this year.  

Vegetarianism ~ It's been almost two years now since my husband and I made some big changes to our eating habits. The choice to no longer consume any animals was made primarily from a personal and moral perspective, but also from an environmental one.  I'll admit I occasionally have a piece of fish when I go out to dinner, but honestly, I don't miss a darn thing.   

Work-outs ~ For the past three months, I've been seeing another man named James who makes me sweat.  HeeHee.  He's my personal trainer and he's been helping me get more fit.  I want to be firm in my forties, not flabby. I know if I keep working out with James (and if I cut out the sugar) I'll continue to feel and look much better.

X as in ex-boyfriends ~ I had the opportunity earlier this year to spend an afternoon with one of my exes.  He was moving across the country and we got together to say our hellos and goodbyes.  I didn't know how much I wanted a few more precious moments with him until I was having them with him.  

Yes! ~ Life is wonderful.  I am blessed to experience it in all the ways I do.  Whether I'm here on this planet for fifty more years or just five minutes, it's a good life I live and I am grateful for all of it.  

(New) Zealand ~  I'll be there in three weeks time and my parents will be coming with me.  It will be good to show them the country I've fallen in love with...the country where my husband is from...the country I'll call home someday. 

There are now just nineteen days to go before these legs take me on a 13.1 mile journey through the streets of Cinncinnati, Ohio.  I've been training for a half-marathon for the past two and half months and even though I'm a bit nervous about the upcoming event, I'm looking forward to race day.  My personal goal is to run the course in two hours or less which I think is doable, but it'll depend on how I feel that day. I've read about the serious hills I'll encounter around Mile 5 which will more than likely impact my usual eight minute-mile pace, but perhaps I'll make up the time on a few of those lovely downhill slopes.  

During some of my long training runs, I've often asked myself, "Why are you running this race?"  Even with my favorite tunes playing through my iPod into my ears, I can hear the voice inside my head loud and clear.  When you run long enough and travel a distance on foot that any rationally-minded person would just get in a car and drive to, the kind of conversations you have with yourself as you're huffing and puffing along become rather interesting.  There have been plenty of times during those long runs when I've seriously considered my own sanity.  Fortunately, there have been more times when I've experienced what is known as runner's high and over the last few weeks as my training runs have gotten longer (I ran ten and a half miles this past Friday), I've realized how much I enjoy that endorphin-producing, zen-like state of body and mind. 

I'm not running just so I can get high (although I'll admit this is something I look forward to when it occurs around Mile 6 or so). I'm running because it inspires me and makes me feel good about myself.  I'm running because I want to challenge myself physically. I'm running because it reminds me I'm capable of doing whatever it is I set my mind to doing. I'm running because come May 3, I will be amongst thousands of people who, like me, made the choice to run because it matters to them. 

What if all the choices we made in our lives were made from that place of possibility and positive outlook?  What if, despite our fears, doubts and worries, (or using a running metaphor - the blistered feet, chafed body parts and sore muscles) we all lived our lives (ran a race) as though everything about it was good?   What if even during times of hardship and grief and when we're not feeling particularly brilliant (like Mile 10), we still make the choices we do because they make us feel MORE alive than were we not to make them?  Yeah.  That's why I'm running. 

It's time to put on the running gear, apply a few band-aids to that blister, lace up those new shoes, and go live the day.  Whatever choices you're making today, I hope you'll do the same.  

"I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- 
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
~ Robert Frost

If I didn't already have two adventures of my own to attend to this coming month (running a dance studio and running in preparation for a half-marathon that's now just 32 days away!) I'd be traveling to at least one of these incredible retreats I'm going to tell you about.  While two of these amazing adventures are for women only (sorry guys), I can personally guarantee that all three will be life-changing events.  I know this because I know the three women who are leading these retreats and not only are they fabulous facilitators, but they are beautiful human beings.

Let's start with Jennifer Louden first since I've attended not one, not two, but THREE of her retreats. (Yes, I love this woman!)  She is, without a doubt, one of the most heart-centered and authentic women I've ever met.  Jen's nurturing presence is coupled with a delightful sense of silly and it's the combination of these two qualities that make retreats with her empowering, enlightening, and highly entertaining.  

She is leading two retreats, April 10-12 and April 12-17, at the world-famous Kripalu Center, in Lennox, Massachusetts.  I had the opportunity to spend a week there with Jen last July and it was the kind of sweet experience that lasts long after you leave the retreat. If you want and/or need some creative and comforting time away for a wee while, I encourage you to email her and have a conversation about it.  It doesn't matter that they're two weeks away from now.  Just go!  

Does the thought of a week of sunshine, sand, and surf on a beautiful island sound heavenly about now, especially those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere?  Lexie Hallahan has the perfect spring-time retreat for you!  I'm lucky that she lives just eight miles away from me and hosts events and retreats along the Oregon coast. 

This past summer, I faced my fears, finally got on a surfboard, and learned to dance with the waves. Had it not been for Lexie's calm and reassuring manner, not to mention her years of training and experience, I might not have ever given surfing a try. Unfortunately, I can only imagine what it would be like to surf in warm waters without a wetsuit, but you...you could go to Kauai April 21-27 and find out for yourself!  All I ask is that you write and tell me what it was like. 

Asheville, North Carolina...I've heard it's an amazing place and I hope to go there someday. Until I do, there's a woman who lives there who will keep me good company with her stories of the place and then some.  I bought Patti Digh's book (which I wholeheartedly recommend with two thumbs-up and high fives around) and I know through her writing and our brief email exchanges that spending a weekend with her and the folks she attracts would be a delicious and darn good time.

I'm joining her in Cinncinnati, Ohio May 3rd for that half-marathon I mentioned above.  Unlike me, you won't have to run 13.1 miles to meet this woman, you could just go to her Life is a Verb Retreat April 24-26 and relax and rejuvenate in her sweet company and in yours.

So...what are you waiting for?  Go check out all the yummy links I provided and see for yourself how wonderful these retreats are going to be and then do this...ask yourself this question:  "Which one is the one for me?"  Take the one less traveled by you.  I promise you, it will make all the difference.

I was incredibly sad last week.  The news of Natasha Richardson's tragic accident and subsequent death reminded me how quickly life, as we know it, can be over. She was on vacation taking a ski lesson, fell and hit her head, and two days later she was removed from life support.   I had seen a few of her movies and knew she was married to Liam Neeson, but hadn't given any thought to this woman until suddenly she showed up on my computer screen.  I've been wondering why her death has affected me as much as it has. Perhaps it's because she died so young.  Perhaps it's because she leaves behind two young sons and a husband who adored her. Perhaps it's because it just doesn't seem fair that someone can be here one minute and gone the next.  Yeah, that's it.

Last Friday, I attended the memorial of a wonderful woman who owns a vibrant and playful art gallery in the town I live.  I knew she'd been ill for a few months, but her death came as a complete surprise to me. I had thought about sending her flowers and a card numerous times, but I just never got around to it.  I just never got around to it?!?  WHAT THE F*#&%?   Why didn't I let her know I was thinking about her?  Why didn't I take the time and make it important enough to tell her how happy I was to have met her when I first moved to Cannon Beach?  Death and life...they wait for no one. Yeah, that's it.   

So I've been wondering for the past few days...how am I to live?  Really, truly, deeply...looking at all that is my life and seeing what is important and what is not. Every day it becomes a bit more clear. Last week during one of our classes at the studio, I played a Shawn Colvin song I absolutely love and it inspired me to write this...a simple poem about dance, about life. Despite everything, even here we are. Yeah, that's it.

Even here we are...

Despite what we've been told
And what we've learned
And yes, even what we've experienced

We take all of it into the dance

Our mother's voice
Our teachers' lessons
Our lives lived thus far

Even here we are...

Despite time ticking
And to-do lists lengthening
And yes, even worrying still

We take all of it into the dance

Our joys and sorrow
Our hopes and fears
Our dreams big and small

Even here we are...

Despite what others do
And what happens in the world
And yes, even those things we can't control

We take all of it into the dance

Our pause and ponder
Our heartbeat and heartache
Our bodies and our beliefs

Even here we are

Despite everything else
And no matter what
And yes, even just because

We take all of it
All of it
Into the dance