Happy Thanksgiving (Warning: a bit spiritual-cheeezzzy)

I love this day.

Just to say Thank You for everything that we have

I feel blessed and grateful for what I have.

And this is also a day to stop and kick ourselves in the ass if we tend to TAKE THINGS FOR GRANTED.
I try to make it one of my mottos in life: to appreciate everything that I've got. Acknowledging that makes you more grounded, content and at peace. You know how when you win something or get really good news you jump up and down but in seconds forget about it? I try to keep the jumping up and down as long as I can. (And on the same token, I try to keep the dwelling on the shit that happens to a minimum. TRY I say..).
It works. Trust me! Makes your soul smile more often.

I will stop now, in case the sarcastic have to run and throw up.

Happy Happy Thanksgiving, eat lots of yummy holiday food, cuz it's the best!!! (and don't throw up).

My Visitor

I have just spent intense 10 days with my dear childhood friend from Israel.
It's amazing how much you can learn in such a short time about yourself, about where you come from and where you're going. This was her first adult visit to NY, first time she came to visit me here. The cultural differences adding up throughout the years have smacked us on the face. It was strange. We grew up in the same place and yet it feels like I've always been here in NY. I've realized that more than ever during her visit with me. I can't help it, my identity has changed a lot throughout the years. It's actually fascinating to me every time I realize that. For the first time in my life I am accepting the fluidity of my identity, and that is a very rewarding sensation. To know who you are and to accept that. Even if it's a bit complicated on the cultural level. Being born and raised in Israel. Spending all of my adult life in New York City.

Anyway, my very dear friend got sucked into the shopping hysteria here and there was nothing I could do to pull her out. Hours and hours of running around (and not finding anything to buy most of the time- Go figure! New York's vast selection was not sufficient for her...), overwhelmed by the huge crowds, the noise and the insanity of New York City, but not letting it stop her. I got flustered by it, I stopped joining her on her shopping missions. It worked for both of us...

I wanted to take her to the calm places, to the Cloisters, to all the beautiful parks, to walk by the Hudson, one of my favorite things to do here.
But no, most of it didn't happen. I only got to share with her a small percentage of my NY, and her visit is over already.
She's leaving tomorrow. Oh, yes, I did share my New York night life with her. At least that.

So now we have to wait for next time. Hopefully then I'll be able to squeeze in the real magic of New York City, its enchanting vicinity and the best kept secrets of the best town in the world.

Kickbox it all Out!

Good morning Friday. I am heading out to the gym soon. This is my kickboxing day.

It’s a tradition. I let it all out! Aggressions, frustrations, and just plain old fury. Well, actually, fury makes me sound somewhat violent and that’s not true. But life tends to attract toxins and negative energy, so once a week, if I haven’t managed to naturally do so, I kick and punch the hell out of anything, and anybody that wishes to stop me, without risking anybody’s life, of course. It’s the closest thing to meditation. I’m not very good at “immobile” meditation, but I can certainly enter “the zone” while repeating dozens of roundhouse kicks…

And then- I’m clean; I take a deep breath, and have a sense of center, of inner strength, of clarity, potency (not to say- omnipotence). I am ready for the world, and the world is ready for me.

Last night I saw a movie that ended with “There is no way to Peace- Peace IS the way!”. It had to do with cultural and social battles, but it can be translated to inner peace too.

Kickboxing, then, is my peace. It also makes me feel hot and sexy.