Really? Es verdad? (is that true?)

I was preparing for an international vacation and called my cell phone company to check on the call, text and e-mail rates and charges while I traveled. I provided the representative with all of my information and secret passwords for account access. When she found out the reason for my call, she said she would have to transfer me to the international department. Once connected, I again had to provide all of my numbers and secret passwords. I asked the representative why they didn't have that in the system. "Believe me, I know. It frustrates me as much as it frustrates you", he replied in a monotone, scripted, said it for the 16th time today fashion. So unbelievable, I thought. At least it wasn't as frustrating as the last time when I was transferred five times with all the information repeating, I told myself as I tried to look at it in a positive way.

The fake truth is rampant. I assisted my son on a walk-through inspection of his new house prior to closing. The salesman gave several mini speeches of half truths including the ever so irritating - "I'm looking out for these kids like they are my own children". Really? I was thinking it was more like he was looking out for his own commission on the sale of this mansion. Es verdad? (is that true?)

Then there is yoga. I never have to wonder with my students. Their sincerity shows through in every breath, every exertion, every laugh as they tumble to the floor struggling through a pose and every "I feel great, thank you" at the end of every class.

In yoga - no posers - just poses. Verdad (truly).

Voracious

The grapes popped and exploded with flavor as I crushed down on the handful I had placed in my mouth. I am a voracious eater. I love food and believe handfuls of grapes, popcorn or M&M's taste so much better than eating them one at a time. There is something about the crunch and flavor explosion that cannot be dismissed. Fortunately, I am as voracious an exerciser and do not have a problem with my weight.

Recently, I bought a bag of crunchy red grapes. I pulled off a handful, popped them in my mouth and started to crunch away - then stopped. Something was wrong - something besides grapes was in there. I discovered that a small piece of stem was still attached to every grape - they hadn't severed cleanly from the vine. I wasn't going to be able to pop delightful dozens into my mouth at a time. I was going to have to grab each one off the vine separately, separate the little stem piece and eat them one by one. I did. And guess what? They were delicious that way. One crunchy grape explodes with flavor just as nicely as a mouthful.

In yoga, some students try to do all the poses all out without paying attention to how they feel with each movement, whether they are going too far or whether they can push a little bit more. They don't slow down and listen to their body and back off if something doesn't feel right. They end up frustrated, tired or stressed and strained. They need to focus on each pose and each part of each pose a little more for greater enjoyment and safe stretching.

One by one, not the whole bunch - enjoy!