Happy Memorial Day!

Image via camillestyles.com

The secret of happiness is freedom. The secret of freedom is courage.
 -Thucydides (Greek Historian)

Happy Memorial Day, bloggies! I hope that you're reading this at home, or while sipping tea outside at a local coffee shop, or by the pool (or any body of water!), and are taking some time to treat yourself to a real day off today. 
Aren't 3-day weekends such a luxury? 

As I've gone about enjoying the past few days during my own mini-staycation, bustling from wedding to-dos, to bbq's, to class, to the park, and back home again for a good night's sleep, I realized this morning that I hadn't spent any time thinking about what Memorial Day truly means. Doesn't this often happen with our national holidays? 

Since I don't have any close, living family members who are veterans, and only know a very few people who are in the service (and none who have died while serving our country!), I feel somewhat removed from this day and it's meaning. Don't get me wrong--I really do feel a sense of gratitude for those who have spent their time, energy, and in some cases, given their lives protecting us--but I feel like I don't often think about all of the people who have died to allow me to live the life that I live. 

So today, I encourage you to take a moment to just think about what this day is truly about. Maybe send a silent "thank you" out into the world and to those who have fought for you, or send a little loving energy to the families of those who we've lost to war, or dedicate your practice to our veterans, or honor them in any way that feels right to you. No matter how you feel about war or government or politics, I think it's super important to remember that we're all connected, and that our  freedom should not be taken for granted.

Does this mean that you shouldn't enjoy this day? Absolutely not! You should bask in this gift of freedom, do whatever makes you happy, and spend time with loved ones, eating good food and soaking up the sun (wearing SPF 80, of course!), because really, enjoying life and being present in this moment is what it's all about. 

And with that, I'll leave you with a yogic mantra that embodies my thoughts on freedom:

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

Meaning: "May all beings everywhere be happy and free. May the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and that freedom for all."
 
For a visual reminder on what this day is about, check out this poignant Elephant Journal post about it.

Now enjoy this BEAUTIFUL day!

Namaste,
Mary Catherine