“They” say that every human being experiences a “calling”. It could be toward a career path, a way of life or even where you should go for vacation. Merriam-Webster defines a calling as, “A strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence”. My personal translation? To be in alignment with your higher purpose.

I’m sure I’ve experienced many callings in my life, but today I want to share what I consider to be my biggest calling - my journey to leave Corporate America and become a full-time entrepreneur. You’ll learn a little more about me and how I got clear on my calling so that you might be inspired to follow your own heart and intuition as well.

Have you ever read a book that just stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page?  I definitely have.  Some of the most memorable books I have read are the ones that taught me how to better manage my anxiety.  I definitely have a lot of favorites… but the one that had the biggest impact is, “When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times” by Pema Chödrön. 

Pema is an American Buddhist Teacher, author and nun who is best known for her down-to-earth interpretation of Buddhist meditations and how they can be applied to everyday life.  In this book, she offers life-changing tools that help us transform suffering and negative patterns into ease and joy.  Here is my interpretation of how this incredible book relates to anxiety in order to help you better navigate your own anxiety with clarity and confidence.

Have you ever read a book that just sticks with you long after you finished reading it? Sometimes it’s a short story or a character novel that grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. And sometimes the books you read can truly transform your perspective and your life. Whether you are new to yoga or have been practicing for years, maybe you already have a yoga book or two that has transformed your experience. These types of books can influence how you think about your practice each time you get on your mat and maybe even give you a new way to think about life off the mat as well.

For the teachers at Serenity, we probably each have at least two or three (or more!) specific yoga books that have dramatically shaped our practice and our teachings. And today, in honor of World Book Day, we want to share our favorites with you!

The practice of mindfulness is not keeping your mind quiet and learning how to be Zen at all times. The practice is recognizing when you are caught in a thought and gently, with kindness, drawing your awareness back to the present moment.