It is the most amazing morning. Birds are twittering. Everything seems to get greener by the minute. The lilacs and the crab apple are in bloom. My wild garden is full of tiny surprises.

Coming home for the weekend after a hectic week working in the city (New York) is such a blessing. Even when one comes home to surprises like the cat being locked out of the mudroom, and having to use a rug in kitchen all week as litter box.

I recieved a really touching letter from one of the participants in last week's Sacred Balance workshop, who admitted that he'd rather not have been there, but "maybe my lesson is that I should be more uncomfortable being uncomfortable." I think his insight really captures the essence of what balance is and isn't about. Stretching is always tough, but there's nothing like being able to touch your toes -- or reach for the sky.

Having recently gone through testing for my black belt in the traditional Japanese style that I study, this idea was brought home daily, for about 2 months solid. It was an exhausting process, and one can't sustain an intense level of stretching and testing of body, mind or spirit for too long a period of time. That's what leads to burn out. But by stretching ourselves daily, a little at a time, and/or every once in a while putting ourselves to the test -- we can make amazing, if not always comfortable -- leaps forward.

Today's suggested link: Hudson Valley Materials Exchange. Google it to find the url. The gallery currently has a three person show. And always has amazing materials from industry and business, to recycle and reuse in inventive ways.