So this is my fifth holiday season in business. I can’t – and can – believe it! I can’t believe it because it all seems to have gone by so fast. A real testament to the fact that time is accelerating. And I can believe it because I have learned so much. I feel like I have received a lifetime of information on the past five years. 

When I opened breathe books in October 2004, I was a girl (well, I was 41 years old!) who had faced her own death (at age 13), came back (also at age 13! only gone for probably 10 minutes), stopped eating meat at 16, lived almost a decade overseas, began meditating and practicing yoga and studied Buddhism. I thought I knew a lot. I had no idea how much more there was (and is) to learn. 

I’m simply astounding at how much the Universe has opened up to me. breathe books has allowed me to explore and expand in ways I didn’t know were possible. People often send me emails and letters about how breathe books as changed their life in some way. If you only knew how it’s changed me.

I almost feel as if I have nothing to do with breathe books. It was an entity waiting for someone to come along and direct it. I’m so lucky it allowed me to take stewardship for a while. I remember hearing Dr. David Simon in a lecture speak about how nothing really belongs to us – how people say “my wife, my house, my dog” etc. He told us we are just taking care of these things for a while. I thank my house every evening when I come home for allowing me to live here. And I thank breathe books every morning for allowing me to be there. And I thank you for supporting the store and allowing it to continue.

I am a different person because of breathe books. Perhaps I am the person I was meant to be. I believe I had to wait until my forties to be given this gift. I now have countless gifts. A new body. New thoughts. New friends. New relationships. New visions. So much love. 

So these are the gifts of the season. I hope you feel as lucky as I do. My gratitude to you all and the Universe is infinite. You are allowing me to live this amazing life. I’m so happy to share it with you. The essence of non-duality is highlighted to me everyday as I realize more and more how there is no separation between us. We all benefit from the love and happiness we offer to each other. And the love and happiness we give to ourselves.

Please feel love. Feel happy. Share it. That’s the gift.

happy holidays,

susan

Now that I’€™m a Chopra Center Certified Instructor, I’€™m proud to announce my first classes! The Perfect Health Through Ayurveda 5-week course will begin on Wednesday, January 14 through Wednesday, February 11, at 7 p.m. You’€™ll find plenty of details on breathebooks.com events page about the classes, which will includes learning about all aspects of Ayurveda, a 5000 year-old healing system from India.

Ayurveda is Sanskrit for the wisdom of life. It offers a proven guide for a life of happiness, vitality, love and purpose. Health is a state of vibrant balance in which all layer’s of ones life are integrated. Through nutrition, meditation, yoga, and honest deep communication we’ll create a consciousness of awareness which will bring us back to our natural state of balance. You will feel better, sleep better, look better and love better.

If you’d like to learn more about my journey with Ayurveda, see breath take a look back in the archives for my blogs from the past year. You can also call me anytime with questions. See more at the Chopra website: http://teachers.chopra.com/InstructorDetail.asp?ContactID=106703.

The five-week course is $325, including materials ($300 if you sign up and pay in full before Dec. 15). Class size is limited for a more personalized atmosphere.