As I move through this season of my life, I find myself reflecting on gratitude.
Not the fleeting kind that comes and goes with circumstances, but the deep gratitude that arises when we recognize the people and communities that help us become more fully ourselves.
For me, two communities stand out: Lila Yoga Studio and Osher Lifelong Learning at the University of Utah for people “50 and better.”
At first glance, they appear very different.
One is a yoga studio. The other is a lifelong learning program.
One nurtures the body, breath, and spirit. The other nourishes the mind, curiosity, and intellect.
Yet both offer something profoundly important: connection.
In a world where loneliness has become increasingly common, these communities create spaces where people gather with intention. They provide opportunities to learn, grow, share ideas, make friends, and discover new possibilities.
At Lila Yoga Studio, I have found far more than yoga classes. I have found a sanctuary. A place where people come together to practice presence, compassion, and self-discovery. Every teacher, every class, every conversation has contributed to my own growth and healing.
At Osher Lifelong Learning, I have found another kind of home. A community of curious, engaged, inspiring adults who understand that learning doesn’t end at retirement. In many ways, it begins again.
The students I meet through Osher continually inspire me. They show up eager to learn, to connect, and to continue evolving. Their courage, wisdom, humor, and life experience enrich every conversation.
This week, I had the privilege of bringing these two worlds together through a special event at Lila Yoga Studio—a discussion of The Tao of Pooh.
As I looked around the room, I felt something beautiful unfolding.
People who had never met before were sharing stories, exchanging ideas, laughing together, and forming new friendships. Strangers became companions. Community was being created in real time.
It reminded me that while books matter, classes matter, and yoga matters, what we are really seeking is connection.
We want to belong.
We want to be seen.
We want to continue growing.
We want to walk alongside others who are also asking meaningful questions and seeking lives of purpose.
As I approach my seventy-eighth birthday, I am more convinced than ever that one of the greatest predictors of health, happiness, and longevity is community.
Not perfection.
Not productivity.
Community.
People who encourage us.
People who challenge us.
People who celebrate our successes and sit beside us during difficult seasons.
For that, I am deeply grateful.
To the teachers, students, staff, volunteers, and friends at Lila Yoga Studio and Osher Lifelong Learning, thank you.
You have enriched my life in countless ways.
You remind me that we are never too old to learn, never too old to grow, and never too old to make a new friend.
And for that, my heart is full.
With gratitude,
SandiAbout the Author
Sandi Greene is a writer, meditation guide, teacher, and lifelong learner dedicated to helping people create lives of greater clarity, purpose, joy, and well-being through The Art of Living Well.
Her work is inspired by the timeless wisdom of A Course in Miracles, Davidji Meditation, yoga philosophy, and the transformative power of mindfulness, reflection, and authentic community.
Sandi is an Instructor and Ambassador with the University of Utah Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, where she teaches courses that encourage lifelong learning, meaningful connection, and personal growth. She also serves on the Board of Trustees at the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City, teaches New Member classes, and facilitates small groups that foster belonging and thoughtful conversation.
Whether through her writing, meditation, teaching, or individual conversations, Sandi invites others to reconnect with their inner wisdom and discover that nothing essential is missing.
The Art of Living Well • Meditation • A Course in Miracles • Osher Lifelong Learning • Well-Being
