Ganesha

August 31st is known as Ganesha Chaturthi in Vedic culture. The day celebrating Ganesha. Ganesha is anything in life that has to do with creation, the removal of obstacles, freedom, and making the impossible possible.

6 years ago, I was walking around Chinatown and found a cute little Ganesha statue. I'd been craving some newness in my life and thought it'd be nice to have it on my desk; a reminder to favor creation.

Ganesha is almost always depicted as riding a mouse. This enormous being, with the head of an elephant, riding a tiny mouse. I've always taken it to symbolize the power of creative ability. When we're established in fulfillment and leading with creation, we're able to see all possibilities.

That little Ganesha stayed at my desk through lots of discovery. It sat on my dashboard as I moved out of New York and I brought it with me to India for teacher training. At the end of my time in India, it felt right to let go of my little Ganesha. It was with me through so much growth and it felt like a good time to willingly surrender that which had been dear to me. When I mentioned this to my teacher, Thom Knoles, he said the best way to let it go was to toss it in the Ganges. So I did.

The next day, as I sat by the Ganges and enjoyed the view, a beautiful bull elephant sauntered out of the jungle. He walked right into the river and began to dance and trumpet about. I couldn't believe it. It seemed impossible. I'd tossed my little elephant friend into the river and it came right back to me in the grandest of ways.

When we lead with creation, all possibilities-even those that seem impossible-are open to us at every moment.