Sometimes small changes make me feel like I’m”blowing in the wind.” Something that’s not life or death, but that alters my routine and my choices beyond my control. My yoga schedule has, for the past decade, offered a 9am class. I attended this class faithfully unless a conflict interfered. If so, I would catch another class later in the day.
On January 1st this changed and it’s been an adjustment to the scaffolding of my life. In the process of adapting my daily routine to continue my treasured yoga practice, I’ve noticed the stages that I’ve experienced internally in response to this shift, as I resist and surrender. It has mirrored grief, though minimal in magnitude to major losses that take a lifetime to process.
The other loss of the moment is the closing of one of my favorite Denver consignment shops. Robyn Wacklerli has decided to retire and Wardrobe Works HERE will no longer exist as the resource that it has been for more years than I can remember. Robyn’s carefully curated inventory has provided recycled wearable art for decades and I have pieces in my closet that will always remind me of her and her creative energy. Thank you Robyn, for your longterm commitment to style and art.
Photos By Daniel
With all of this in mind, as I think about change as the only predictable constant, I’ve picked up the book Dancing Light, by 98-year-old yoga teacher Tao Porchon-Lynch HERE. She knows a bit about resilience, mindfulness and fearlessness in action. At an age when most have slowed down, she says, “There is so much to do and so little time to do it.” Plus, she drinks wine, eats chocolate, and wears high heels because she believes they help elevate her consciousness. This is a role model that I can relate to!
Having marched with Mahatma Gandhi and later attending the March on Washington and witnessing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s speech on that historic day, Tao is the perfect person to refer to on this holiday honoring Dr. King and his enduring legacy and commitment to Oneness.
Sage green fedora with silk ribbon bow – Louise Green, Marni coat – Wardrobe Works Consignment, Vintage Fabric bag – vintage shop, brown boots – consignment shop, vintage sage green gloves, vintage earrings and brown background pieces – estate sales.
Linking up with Catherine’s #iwillwearwhatilike HERE at Not Dressed As Lamb and Patti’s Visible Monday HERE at Not Dead Yet Style.
Thank you dear Judith for looking so darn gorgeous in your Louise Green fedora!! Love to you always!
Louise xoxox
Hi from the UK
Wow to your outfit and an inspiring blog post. Loved it
Lynn x
I love the look. Fabulous hat and coat.
Back again- I’ve just noticed Tao Porchon shares the same birthday as me. I need to get my act together if I’m to keep up with her. She is 37 years older than me
Lynn
Change isn’t easy to deal with. I find it is worse the older I get.
I too have been lamenting the closure of so many of my favourite vintage and consignment stores.
What an inspiration Tao Porchon is!
I LOVE your handbag. What an unusual amazing piece.
bisous
Suzanne
Love the handbag!!
Dear Judith, I so can relate to you blog post today … so often we downplay such a shift, like it’s no big deal, compared to life’s more dramatic upheavals … but yet the older I get, the more these changes in routine, in particular, those that sustain us physically and emotionally, such as those 2 you describe, can be like a mourning. I’m still trying to sort this out as I face these changes in my own life. For me it is akin to feeling more vulnerable to having to rebuild other resources if you will, as time becomes more of a compelling presence. It’s a new experience as I face my “third act”, so it’s reassuring to share with someone who’s spirit, beauty and grace I so admire.
Even small changes can make us feel disconcerted, I understand. When my singing teacher moved away, I was so sad and out of sorts. You outlook and your outfit and wonderful, though, and I think I need to get that book! Thanks for linking, xo
Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
I, too, understand how impactful small changes can be and larger ones so big and so intense they are overwhelming and hard to appreciate. All your outfits are lovely!
I am planning a trip to Denver in March but sounds like your favorite shop will already be closed by then? I will be sorry to miss it.
Sue
We do get used to little routines in our lives don’t we? But you will conquer the changes and discover new things you would not have seen if the routine had stayed the same. Wouldn’t it be nice if someone tookover the shop of Robyn? Someone equally dedicated and creative?
Looking terrific as always.
Greetje
You are Sage, Judith. What you say rings so true. Things I try to brush off as being no big deal, but they still have impact. Thanks again and again for sharing with us. You look grand.
It’s always such a pleasure to read your words Judith. Wise, kind, joyful and forever honest, you are an inspiration.
Life does force changes upon us, and I thank God that we are made to be adaptable and resourceful that we may move with the gentle, and sometimes not-so-gentle, tide. Your posts offer a sanctuary, a place and time to stop and listen to your thoughts.
Anna x
http://www.annasislandstyle.com
These are lovely photos of you, and the message in your words rings true for me as well. As I get older, there are elements of my routine that help to keep me centered, and when those are changed by forces beyond my control, I feel a bit at sea. The recent move of the office where I work to a new building has thrown me for a loop, and I feel unsettled and uncomfortable in the new space. Hopefully time will sort that out, but at the moment, it definitely affects my outlook.
I have caught up with all you blogs after my month long hiatus away from blogging land – and your thoughts about change resinate with me also. I’ve learnt to accept change and to be brave and step onto the new path, trusting my intuition and the Universal energy.
I love your “blowin’ in the wind” outfit, you look fabulous.
Namaste. xx