Om Namah Shivaya,

I have recently learned something important about life, that helps put my 18 years here into perspective and the unknown years ahead less daunting and extremely exciting. That lesson is that we all came to earth with a purpose. A unique, individual and important purpose that holds each of us separate from our friends, siblings, classmates, teammates, lovers, parents, strangers we pass on the street and even the ones we have learned from or have taught something too thus far. These purposes also tie us all together in an intricate, complex, and ultimately beautiful web. Each line connecting and creating the next, no one being able to survive completely isolated from beginning to end without some support along the way. The meaning of life is not one line or one sentence, it is an infinite culmination of everyone's memories, hopes, dreams, prayers, beliefs and struggles bled together to create the painful yet wonderful world we live in.
Finding our purpose can be painful, along the way we will feel completely isolated from the people we used to associate with, we might even find that these people we once thought would be there through it all start to turn away. That our journeys no longer run parallel and that we have to say goodbye. We have taught each other all we needed to learn from one another.

We must follow our Joy. This past summer I lost my cousin to cancer. Jennifer Joy Miller was a woman who lived her life with so much kindness and grace, she accepted everyone she met and lent a hand to anyone she came across who was in need. Losing her has taught me to live my life with Joy in every moment, to never stay in a situation out of pity or guilt but to take every experience as a learning experience and grow from it. To spend my life helping others in anyway that bring me Joy and happiness. Through this I will find meaning, truth and alignment in all aspects of my life. Jennifer was a blessing to all who knew her and I wonder everyday why she had to be one of the many beautiful souls violently stolen from all who loved her. May she rest and look over us in peace and paradise. Xo

After four years of mandatory education that was rough to everyone I know, I was not about to commit to another four years of institutionalized 'learning'. I know that there is so much in this world to learn and see outside of the classroom. During high school, I had no way to channel and let go of all the heaviness I was experiencing and feeling. My mother would tell me everyday "come to Yoga", in the beginning I brushed it off as one of her annoying motherly pieces of advice like "take smaller bites" & "don't pick your face" (both of which I now find very beneficial). One day I was at one of my lowest points and I finally went along with her, the class was hard and at first I was defiant. I sat in a ball with my arms crossed, tearing up, glaring at the floor, wanting everyone else to feel the pain I felt. When I looked up and realized that no one was even paying attention to me I had a realization "I wasn't hurting anyone, but myself" simple yet powerful. I then joined into the class, the teacher immediately saw my shift and came over to give me useful pointers, after that class I felt lighter, freer and more capable of... Living. I guess mother really does know best.

That was 2 and a half years ago. Now I am living and volunteering at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat in the Bahamas doing Karma Yoga work (the practice of working and being of service to others without attachment to what you will get out of it). It has been a life shifting experience so far. I have been here for almost 2 months, participating in the morning and evening Satsang, taking a two hour yoga class everyday and working 6 hours a day/7 days a week in reception. My time here has been a wonderful chance to reflect on all that I've gone through and look forward to who I want to become in this world.
I have decided to take my Yoga Teacher Training here in November! It is a 30 day intensive where we learn 12 years of ancient knowledge in one month. I will then receive my 200 hour yoga teacher qualification, be initiated into the Sivananda lineage and given a spiritual name. After that month, I will stay here one more month to complete the three month Karma Yoga program. During this time I will be able to teach at the Ashram! I didn't know this is where my path would take me until 2 weeks after I arrived here so I did not financially prepare before I left home for the TTC. This is completely out of my comfort zone because I hate asking for money, even from my parents, but here goes nothing. Would you be willing to support me on my journey? If not financially than words of encouragement are greatly appreciated. I will be trilled to offer you private classes when I return to California. My purpose is to heal people, I want to bring these ancient teachings to people that would not normally turn to them. I want to help raise the consciousness of this planet & and I know by experience that over coming physical ailments is necessary and a difficult step without support. I believe that Yoga can opens doors, shine light and show the way.
Thank you so much for reading this! I'm blessed to know you.

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
"May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and way the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all"

Love & Light,
Laurel Bay