Gratitude

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I really like the idea behind Thanksgiving and I also like that the holiday is really not very commercialized.

The holiday gives us an opportunity to reflect on what we’re thankful for. Gratitude is an act that sometimes is hard to find in our busy day to day lives. I know that I can get very focused on the details of my life and forget to offer gratitude for the wonders of my life. As I reflect on gratitude, I’ve realized that there are several parts to gratitude.

I express gratitude to people in my life for helping me be who I am today. I am grateful for clients who trust me to go on some very intimate journeys together. I am grateful for the friends in my life who bring me joy and companionship. I am grateful toward my family to helping me with a good start in life. I am grateful toward my partner for supporting and nurturing me on this amazing journey.

At the same time, I'm also aware that I don't express that gratitude as often as I should. It's so easy to get caught up in the day to day stuff that makes up life. Thanksgiving is a gentle reminder for me to offer appreciation and gratitude throughout the year.

I am also grateful for the present moment. This one is really hard for me to remember, but when I take time out to be grateful, I am reminded why this one is so important. The present moment can teach me much about everyday joys. Being in the present moment helps me to calm the noise in my head and simply notice. Being present helps me with forgiveness. When I'm present I can't be focused on any perceived harm that occurred to me in the past.

I’m grateful for the present moment of being in my body. I’m grateful to notice what’s going on for me. Yes, there are aches and pains sometimes. But there’s also incredible and profound joy and pleasure. Erotic practice is a great opportunity to practice being present in your body. When you're completely focused on what you're noticing in your body, you are present! I’m grateful for the incredible feeling of awareness combined with surrender of letting go and being in an erotic trance state. I’m grateful that these states are available to us and remind us of being present in our body.

Being in my body reminds me that I’m grateful for the feeling of awe. There are days of being in the woods in awe of how nature works. There are evenings in awe of the stars and the universe. These feelings of awe remind me of the greater power around us. Of course, each of us defines what that greater power is for themselves. For me, the awareness of my greater power provides me with some clarity on how to live my life consciously. I really appreciate the feeling of awe because it has a way of reminding me when I get caught up in my own issues.

During this holiday season things can easily get hectic. I invite you to take a few moments each day and reflect on what you’re grateful for. After all, gratitude is one of the primary expressions of this holiday season.

Of course, a massage or bodywork session is a great way to set the day to day stuff aside and be in your body. Also, session gift certificates are available too!

I wish you a joyous holiday and a wonderful new year!

Mindful Self Loving

The final Mindful Self Loving evening of 2009 will take place Monday evening December 7 beginning at 7:00 at Heartwalker Studio in Oakland. Please join a circle of men who are transforming their self pleasuring practice into a meditative, fulfilling practice. Men of all ages (18+) are welcome – we’ve had men in their 20’s through their 70’s. Learn to break through self-imposed barriers and experience true pleasure in your body. Practice savoring that pleasure without the anxiety of meeting a performance standard.

I look forward to welcoming you!

Enjoy!

Ed

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