I delivered another armload of cat & dog food this morning!  I've been taking the cat food to SOCKS (they are in really dire straits) and the dog food to PAWS.  It feels so good to help, and know you are making a difference!

As I was driving home from my delivery, I was passed by a big black pickup truck with a dog in the back.  I always react with anger and frustration when I see this: "What are you thinking!!  Don't you know how dangerous that is?!?"

But as I was driving behind that big black pickup truck with the dog in the back, my next thought was "If someone wanted me to change my actions, would I respond if they attacked me with anger?"  Of course not!  I'd think who are you to tell me what to do?  I wouldn't even hear their message- just because of the delivery.

So I started thinking about how we can speak truth without harm - satya and ahimsa.  These are 2 of 5 yamas - teachings from the yoga sutras about how to interact with the world around us.  What is truth spoken with violence?  Is an untruth ever spoken with love?

The other 3 yamas are astaya (non-stealing), bramacharya (celibacy), and apigraha (non-covetousness).  How do the other yamas apply when dealing with man driving a big black pickup truck with a dog in the back?  Astaya - don't steal his dignity by assaulting him?  Bramacharya - practice celibacy through starving my anger?  Apigraha - don't covet his dog?  Or his truck?

How do you practice these yamas in your life?  Even if you've never heard the terms, we all understand the concepts.

I started my yoga-for-pet food special this past weekend.  One student brought in an armload of dogfood, at least some of which was donate by his co-workers.  It felt great taking that first delivery to PAWS.

I think most people want to do some good; most want to make a positive difference.  Finding time, finding money, finding convenience  now that's the hard part.  My practice Saturday focused on the liver, but from a bigger picture focused on purity.  Pure thoughts, pure heart, pure intentions.  There's nothing wrong with "getting" something in return for doing good deeds.  Of course you'll feel great knowing you've helped, but who doesn't want a little acknowledgement in return?  I wanted to make it convenient for people to help, and I wanted to reward the good deed. 

There's no minimum donation to qualify for the $5 yoga class.  Any amount will help.  After all, small dogs and cats just don't eat that much!

Continuing the "do something" idea, the Animal Justice Rally Group will be in Crestview again this week, August 3 and August 4.  Please visit their site www.animaljusticerallygroup.weebly.com for details!