| Last year, I received a satchel full of money on | | | | be the draw not three used yoga mats would |
| the front steps at my home. When that money | | | | soon find it self in someone's hands who would |
| arrived, I actually was out of town but my son | | | | make beautiful melodies with it. As for person |
| called me and said "There was a lot of money left | | | | that took the bag must have needed some |
| at the front door with a note." When, I returned | | | | money and hopefully they would make the |
| home I was touched by the note, which read, | | | | money they needed by selling my stuff or better |
| "Thank you for all you do for the world." I | | | | yet start practicing yoga. Right there I noticed I |
| immediately placed all of this money into my | | | | had received the first gift of a lighter load which |
| sacred fund, which is used for those in need or | | | | would help me shortly after departing the train. |
| service projects. I continue to replenish this fund | | | | As soon as I exited the hustling terminal, I was |
| with gifts from my sacred work - when it brings | | | | greeted by a bright eyed cab driver. The cab |
| gifts of monetary value the money immediately | | | | driver told me that I would not be able to walk to |
| goes into a fund. This has enabled me to grow | | | | the hostel where I was going to meet my friend. |
| the initial gift from the universe of $1000, since | | | | Acknowledging that the streets filled with Italian |
| then, I have attracted and given back at least | | | | chaos, I decided to trust and jumped into the taxi. |
| two to three times this. The abundance just | | | | I was very grateful as I quickly remembered how |
| keeps going out to the world and keeps coming | | | | busy the streets of Rome are. Second gift - |
| back to me. Which, I keep the abundance flowing | | | | received a ride from a kind Italian man, he saved |
| and continue to pay it forward again and again. | | | | me a lot of potential frustration. Next, upon arrival |
| The actual amount is irrelevant to me - it is more | | | | to the hostel, Krista informed me that we were |
| important for me to keep the cycle going. | | | | being moved across town back where I had |
| Initially, I quickly distributed some of the funds to | | | | come from to another hostel. I was really |
| a local charity, passing it on to kids selling candy, I | | | | thankful I had one less thing to carry since we |
| put $200 dollars under a sleeping homeless | | | | had to climb many flights of stairs. At the second |
| person's head, I bought a friend a necklace that | | | | hostel, they told us they were full. We were |
| she could not afford and gifted it to her | | | | waiting with another gentleman who was |
| anonymously, paid for a group of ten do-gooders | | | | experiencing the same situation as we were. |
| dinner, paid for a friends plan ticket to Los | | | | He was given the last room but we decided to |
| Angeles and gifted for some friends to enjoy | | | | wait in hopes that something would turn up. After |
| some activities while we were on vacation. Then, | | | | waiting for about 15 minutes the gentleman said, |
| a few weeks ago, my friend's boyfriend had an | | | | "We are going to move you across the street. I |
| invitation to have dinner with an accomplished | | | | will help you with your bag." Third and fourth gift, |
| photographer and new he would need at least 100 | | | | a room across the street and a man willing to lug |
| dollars to dine with him. He did not want to spend | | | | my big bag for me. I was feeling very abundant |
| the money but I knew it was important for him | | | | and we were graciously put into a room with |
| to go out with this photographer to connect and | | | | three other people. We quickly deposited our |
| receive information and ideas from him. So, I | | | | goods and headed out for dinner. Krista and I |
| gifted him the money asking him to pay it | | | | found this amazing Italian cafe and indulged in our |
| forward. The lesson for him was really about | | | | first Italian meal together in Rome with a |
| learning to receive because he did not want a | | | | charming waiter at our service. He was so sweet |
| hand out. After giving to him, I decided to pay | | | | to drive Krista and I back to our hostel that night. |
| attention and acknowledge what was sent back | | | | Fifth gift, free cab ride! |
| to me. I really wanted to recognize the abundance | | | | Finally, I must acknowledge the gifts kept coming |
| as it appeared in all shapes and sizes. | | | | during my entire trip in Italy, down to the |
| The next day, I was heading to Italy and upon | | | | universe creating enough space and time for me |
| my arrival, I had to jump on a train to Rome, I | | | | to leave my hotel in Rome at 8.20 am to make a |
| had this yoga bag filled with 3 mats and my flute, | | | | flight at 9.40 am at an airport that is a 40-50 |
| a hand carved Native American flute, I use it to | | | | minute drive outside the city. I even had to check |
| bring people out of meditation. It has a very | | | | my heavy bag and go through customs. They |
| special place in my heart and was made with a lot | | | | also should have charged me for my heavy bag |
| of love. I had secured it to my luggage and left it | | | | but since I was late she said there was no time |
| parked by other bags on the train. Now, | | | | for me to pay. Sixth and Seventh gift - made my |
| everyone has warned me of the thieves on the | | | | flight and saved 50 Euro. All of these gifts do not |
| trains but I really do not like to feed into that | | | | have a specific value but if I put a value on any |
| negative energy. I always trust that which I am | | | | of them they would far exceed the 100 dollars I |
| supposed to have with me will stay with me. | | | | had given away. These gifts did not appear in an |
| After a wonderful talk with a young girl from | | | | obvious manner; however, I recognized them |
| China, we arrived in Rome, as I was leaving I | | | | every step of the way. When I returned from |
| noticed my bag had been moved and the yoga | | | | Italy, I received more money which has been |
| bag was no longer attached to the bag. My | | | | added to my secret fund and I am ready to |
| friends were relying on those mats for the next | | | | continue paying it forward. The saga continues as |
| week during our yoga retreat. I knew I could do | | | | free economy continues to flourish in my little |
| without and I realized that the universe had given | | | | abode near the shore of Long Beach. |
| me my wish, I had wished my load was going to | | | | May you all continue to recognize how abundant |
| be lighter while I traveled through Italy. I was | | | | the universe is and continue to PAY IT |
| actually already feeling too weighted down by that | | | | FORWARD! |
| extra bag. I also knew that my flute which had to | | | | |