Dear Haters

“As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”

- Marianne Williamson

Dear haters,

Thank you. (More on this later.)

I know, I teach, and I live that from the darkness comes the light – always.

I know, I teach, and I live that the light always wins. Always prevails.

I know, I teach, and I live that there is no dark switch, only the light, and when you shine the light on the darkness, it is gone.

I know, I teach, and I live that there is nothing more powerful than the light.

But I am human.  And although I walk my talk and walk this planet coming from a spiritual place and see the light and spirit everywhere I turn, I am human and as such, have my vulnerable moments, like everyone else.

Discipline, focus, and relentlessness are three of my superpowers.  (I have more. So do you.) I have therefore been able to successfully distract myself and my attention from the darkness the haters spew as their full-time job.

Until yesterday.

I don't know if it was the chronicity (years of cyber stalking by one hater), PMS, or the full moon coming on Wednesday – most likely, a combination of the three – but I lost it, Super-mom style.

Philippe and I were honored by Boston Magazine in the October issue, in which they called us "Boston's Power Fitness couple" in an awesome fun article which chronicled our love story – how we met, etc.

My haters were tearing even this down. Saying that we were lying about how we met (??). Clearly, they're  running out of material.

"Ohhhhh! You can't respond to the haters! No no no. That's not allowed. That will just fuel the fire. Make it worse...." I said to Philippe sarcastically.

"What could be worse?" I asked. "These douche bags have relentlessly stalked me on the Internet for years with lies, judgment, and jealousy – and don't have the courage to come up to me live. They contact every organization with whom I am connected.  One hater can and has written the same (misspelled) slander from over 25 different email addresses. Sometimes that particular hater writes me seven times a day.  How can that get worse?"

My husband, calm as ever (but notably pissed at the relentlessness and chronicity of it all), explained real time how it actually could get worse.

"I don't care! I want to speak my truth!" I continued.

As some of you know, I had a rough ride as a kid. And nothing was talked about. Nothing was allowed to be talked about. It was all a big secret. So speaking my truth is important to me.

"Everyone in the public eye is dealing with this." I continued. "Taylor Swift's latest song is just one of so many examples.  Will Smith has written songs about 'em. So has Elton John, Queen, Joe Walsh...."

Philippe continued to talk me down.

And you know what happened? Are you listening haters?  From the darkness came the light. As always.  And remarkably quickly.

It was not so much my husband talking me down, although he is a master at that. It was that combined with the outpouring of love and light sent my way because of the haters comments.

Oh M Gee.

It was incredible. The love, support, and light I received is indescribable.

And all because my haters said that my husband and I were lying about how we met (still bizarre and baffling to me).

So thank you haters.

But I'm not done.

I had total and complete clarity on my mat this morning -- WooHoo!  I am now 100% completely totally committed and down with the theory which before made sense to me intellectually but energetically, not so much.  You've heard the theory before whether you are in the limelight or are dealing with your own flavor of haters in your life in the form of mean girls, mean boys, mean family members, mean coworkers mean bosses, mean neighbors, etc. They come in many shapes, sizes and forms but it's all the same thing people -- it's darkness, and you are the light.

It's the theory to which Philippe was referring, "Don't give any attention or energy to the haters. It only fuels the fire and makes it worse. It distracts you from spreading the light. Ignore them. They're nothing.  They are less than nothing."

I now 100% fully understand the verity and wisdom of this theory.  Although I received countless emails from readers, students, fans, friends, and family, offering ways to bring the haters down by finally exposing their identities (some super fun James Bond-ish stuff because one of my fans knows someone in Secret Service, one of my readers is a police Lieut., and the list goes on), I realized on my yoga mat that there will always be darkness. Just by virtue of being shiny and sparkling and light, you will trigger the dark ones to attack. So even if I expose a hater, another will pop up.  And then if I expose that one, another one will come. It's just the reality of living on a dualistic planet.  Very Star Wars. Good versus evil. Light versus dark. But remember, the light always wins. Always.

So three of my superpowers are now in full force. I am relentlessly focused on (in a disciplined way) completely and totally ignoring the (misspelled and grammatically incorrect) spewings of the Dark side.

And actually, every time I see a comment that is dark, it fuels me EVEN MORE to spread the Light. Because it is a real-time reminder of all the love, support and light I (and you!) receive every minute of every day -- when we are in sync with and connected with the Universe.  And of how much this planet needs our light.

So if the darkness -- or the haters if that is the form in which it materializes for you -- is getting you down, take a deep breath in, a deep breath out, and let it go. Tune into:

~ my strength, light and support ~your strength, light and support And ~the light, support and strength of the Universe.

Feel it.  It's all there for you.  Can you feel it?

Don't let someone else stop you from shining your light. You came to shine and your light inspires, fuels and strengthens so many others.  And besides, it's fun to be light and sparkly and it sucks to be dark and cruel.

The light is winning haters.

The end.

Have the best day ever!

Namaste!

Taylor plus 5

Stop Searching For The Light

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

― Mahatma Gandhi

Stop searching for the light.

And become it instead.

Have the BEST DAY EVER! Namaste! Taylor plus 5

What's Your Goal?

"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." 

~Les Brown

What's Your Goal?

Have the BEST DAY EVER! Namaste! Taylor plus 5

I'm No Cosmic Muffin

“True forgiveness is when you can say, "Thank you for that experience.”― Oprah Winfrey

I received this from a reader:

"Hi Taylor,

I read your article in The Herald about forgiving and moving on, and I totally agree with you, I think you deserve a lot of credit for figuring this out and walking your talk.

Its very hard to forgive and move on but it will bring you inner peace and tranquility.

I grew up in Dorchester in a very rough neighborhood, so I'm not a cosmic muffin. I can tell you after going through some adversity in my life I started to slow down, try to be kind and fair to people --even when they aren't the same way with me.

I certainly don't tell you this to say how wonderful I am, I don't always succeed in this. I try to live like this for purely selfish reasons, for the inner peace and tranquility it brings me.  Also good things always come back to me.

All the best."

Have the BEST DAY EVER! Namaste! Taylor plus 5

Essentia Water Part 2

Sometimes, You Just Gotta Surrender

“If you surrender completely to the moments as they pass, you live more richly those moments.”

- Anne Morrow Lindbergh

My husband lost his iPhone yesterday. We looked and looked. Nowhere.

He was SURE one of the kids had it. He looked forever through the Prana van. He turned the cottage upside down.

Nowhere.

I've seen him get really frustrated only a few times. This was one of 'em.

Eventually he just laid down on the couch out of frustration and closed his eyes in pure surrender.

Buzzzzzzz.

It was wedged in between the pillows of the couch he'd just put slip covers on (five kids, Popsicles, ice cream, Etc.)

And just as he laid down in pure surrender, our Newton Prana manager texted him so boom!  There it was.

Surrender and it will be clear.

Have the BEST DAY EVER! Namaste! Taylor plus 5

Essentia Water Part 1

It's Always Good To Use Different Muscles

“Raise the bar and set yourself some new challenges. You can accomplish more than you think.”

― Rebecca Gordon

Yesterday my bike tire got a flat. The third time this summer.

Hmmmmmm.

So for the day, before we were able to get into town to the bike store to get a new innertube, I used my nephew's bike which is quite a bit smaller than mine. I basically couldn't sit down while biking so I was using different muscles the whole day while speeding through Sconset.

As always, I asked myself, "What's the lesson here? What do I need to learn? What do I need to do differently?"

And as always, my spirit answered:

It's always good to use different muscles.

Have the BEST DAY EVER! Namaste! Taylor plus 5

I Was Just

“It has been noted that actions speak louder than words. Truth is, I have found that during many situations in life, words are just noise... and actions are the ONLY things that speak.”― Steve Maraboli

Sometimes parenting a teenager can be exhausting. The constant setting of boundaries. But I'm a Jedi Master so I'm down with the challenge, and I tackle it to the best of my ability and with the most integrity and grace as possible.

One thing that amuses me is, "I was just . . . ." and it's first cousin, "I was going to . . . ."

I hear these a lot.

For example, "Hon, did you throw all the beach towels that were neatly folded in the beach bag all over the floor in the laundry room?"

"I was just looking for my bathing suit . . . ."

"Uh, is this your half eaten ice cream sundae in the second floor bedroom?  All eating is in the kitchen."

"I was going to bring that downstairs . . . ."

My answer is always the same: "It doesn't matter what you were 'just' gonna do, your actions speak so loudly that I can't hear what you say. Work and actions speak for themselves. It's ok and the best ever to be a free spirit, but be respectful and follow the rules where you live."

Good words to live by, and a good reminder for all of us.

Ya, my kids are my biggest teachers.

Have the BEST DAY EVER! Namaste! Taylor plus 5

Life Is Messy So Lighten Up

“Life is brighter on the lighter side.”

― L.M. Fields

Yesterday was my birthday and the first thing I did was get on my yoga mat. That is the biggest gift that I can give myself, my family and everyone in my life. Because when you prepare yourself vibrationally on the mat, you can operate in the world as the person you hope and want to be.

So I was on my mat practicing, and the crew pictured above blasted into my room into my room singing, "Happy birthday to you!"

What could be better than that? Priceless.

After they belted out that song they all ran over and gave me big hugs and sort of toppled all over me as little boys will do.

Then they ran off to play tennis, as they do every morning before school.

After they had gone I resumed my practice. I looked down, and smiled, as I noticed donut crumbs all over my mat. Chocolate, vanilla, and pumpkin donut crumbs like confetti all over my aqua mat. It was a beautiful site.

Beautiful because that is a symbol of their love to me and the fact that it didn't annoy me -- which it would have before I started my yoga practice many years ago -- is the real-time evidence that my spirit has taught me what is important.

Life is messy. Lighten up, laugh more, appreciate more, all is well.

Have the BEST DAY EVER! Namaste! Taylor plus 5

We All Play By The Same Rules

“Once you shift your thoughts for the better, your world begins to shift with them.”― Marcey Shapiro

You think you ain't affected by the law of attraction?  Think a again.

We all are. And it's often immediate.

I was having a "moment" after seeing something on social media that someone had plagiarized from my work, and I went to shake up my protein shake -- before I'd screwed the top on super tight-- and the top flew off and boom!  Protein shake covered my kitchen.

Now I've come a long way, because I didn't swear or even get pissed. I laughed at the accuracy and immediacy of the law of attraction, thanked the Universe for the heads up and reminder of my sloppy thinking and energy, and began again by choosing a better feeling thought.

Have the BEST DAY EVER! Namaste! Taylor plus 5

Are You Living It?

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”― Eleanor Roosevelt

Have the BEST DAY EVER! Namaste! Taylor plus 5

It Takes A Lot Of Time and Energy To Build What Can Be Knocked Down In A Heartbeat

“Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.”― J.K. Rowling

Philippe and I walked our kids to school this morning and on our way back noticed that a home on our street had been demoed. In the time that it has taken us to walk to school and back-- or actually, much less. We were told that it took only minutes to down this house.

Amazing.

It took much time, energy, focus, and money to build that house and in just minutes it was torn down.

Same thing can happen with your reputation. You can build it for years and then with one event it can be ruined.

But anything can be rebuilt. Look at Bill Clinton.

Have the BEST DAY EVER! Namaste! Taylor plus 5

I Noticed This About You

“Childhood, whose very happiness is love.”- Letitia Landon

Yesterday at the pool a Supermom told me she'd been watching my kids, and she noticed that, "They all seem so happy."

*Sigh.*

For me, there's no better music to my ears.

Hey, we're human and we all have our moments, but overall, if there were one thing you would like others to notice about your children, what would it be?

If there were one thing you would like others to notice about you, what would it be?

Notice today whether your words and actions are in line with this wish.  Now you're living harnessing the power of intention.

Wasn't that easy?

Have the BEST DAY EVER! Namaste! Taylor plus 5

Why I Write Quickly and Easily

“First, become clear what your duty or purpose is in life. Second, learn to love it.”


- Swami Rama

I write quickly, easily, and joyfully while on cardio, for 5 reasons:

1. It makes my heart sing.
2. It's my Dharma.
3. I'm blessed that the Universe gave me this ability.
4. I'm very "vata" and so Sister has a lot of energy and likes to move.
5. My dad was a writer. A good writer. Smart guy. Charismatic. Very good-looking. (People stopped us regularly in public places and asked us if he was either Burt Bacharach or Paul Newman.) Was always the straw that stirred the drink at the party. (And always drank a lot of drinks at the party.)

But he was a perfectionist with a touch of OCD. Well, maybe more than a touch.

He would write and then rewrite and then rewrite and then rewrite again.  It was never good enough. He would agonize over a sentence for days, weeks, months. Wow that was painful to watch.

I am the antithesis of this.  Thank the Universe.

Have the BEST DAY EVER! Namaste! Taylor plus 5

Have You Challenged Yourself Today?

“As we rise to meet the challenges that
are a natural part of living, we awaken
to our many undiscovered gifts, to
our inner power and our purpose.”



- Susan L. Taylor

What does it mean to you to be challenged?  Have you challenged yourself today?

Play your edge.  Challenge.  Yourself.   Now.

For some of you, that means resting.  I'm just sayin'.

Have the BEST DAY EVER!

Namaste!

Taylor plus 5

All Destinations

“Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give your whole heart and soul to it”― Gautama Buddha

All destinations lead back to your Spirit, and your purpose on this journey.

Hint:  Practicing yoga and Deliberate Creation helps you on this path-- A LOT.

Have the best day ever! Namaste! Taylor plus 5

And My Heart Grew 10 Sizes Bigger

“Children make your life important.”- Erma Bombeck

I'm a huge fan of Mexico. We went there for winter break and it's a great fit for my family and me for many reasons.

As soon as we returned we were dreamin' and schemin' (I credit my BFF from Brown with that kick a** term. She was a Deliberate Creator way back when in the 80's, man. And still is.) about how we could manifest goin' back -- and soon!

So Philippe worked his travel magic, and as we were all eating cheeseburgers hot off the grill one night he asked the kids and me if we'd rather go for 8 days -- or 9.

Duh?!

"Nine!" I blurted out, and then Phoenix, age 7, said confidently, "Actually Mommy, I think eight."

I was more than mildly confused, but got interrupted by Dakota, age three, before I could inquire further.

Later that night after tubbie and ice cream sundaes and brushing teeth, the kids and I were reading a book and Phoenix said (seemingly out of the blue), "Mommy, the reason I said eight days instead of nine, is so you wouldn't have to teach more."

And my heart grew ten sizes bigger.

Have the best day ever! Namaste! Taylor plus 5

I Am Love

“I believe that every single event in life that happens is an opportunity to choose love over fear.”- Oprah Winfrey 

I am love.

Who are you?

Have the best day ever! Namaste! Taylor plus 5

Sugar Cookie Pop Tarts

“Give freely to the world these gifts of love and compassion. Do not concern yourself with how much you receive in return, just know in your heart it will be returned.” ― Steve Maraboli

My 7 year old, Phoenix, wanted me to get sugar cookie pop tarts because they have pictures on the pop tarts. But then when I gave them to him for breakfast he would not eat them because he liked the pictures.

This happened a few times until I told him he had to eat them or I wouldn't buy them again. The purpose of them was to eat them. I told him that it's a metaphor for life because the Universe wants the energy to move.

For example, love in, love out. Energy in, energy out. Money in, money out.

A lot of people misunderstand this, and horde. When you horde love, time, money and food, it will not come back to you.  If you give, enjoy, use and eat it freely with an open heart and clear intention it will come back to you multiplied.

Have the best day ever! Namaste! Taylor plus 5