A Celebration of Choices

Lately I have been working to understand better the voice in my head that rebels when the smarter, healthier part of my mind sets limits. I had a very strange experience of hearing distinctly the refusal of the one part in response to the other attempting to limit cookie intake one day at work. I know sugar is a challenge for me and am working to, instead if imposing limits that create such conflict, actually want to be healthy and make healthy choices.
So i am working to listen more closely to what I'm actually feeling instead of reacting to my emotional roller coaster.
Choices again.
The kids and I were caught in a squall. It was one of those space moments where the headlights made the snowflakes look as if we were in a spaceship. It definitely looks cool but makes seeing the road next to impossible. It was my job to see past all the things flying in my face to the road we were supposed to be on.
This is your task in life. We have distractions flying in our face every single day but we have to keep focused on the path we choose. Long term wellness versus short term pleasure. We all know what's bad for us. But we have that voice that loves defiance; who loves the look of all those snowflakes flying at us.
My teacher wrote an inspirational essay on the culture of beauty in America. Please find it here - http://myemail.constantcontact.com/I-Hate-My---What----Plus--master-classes--luxe-retreat-and-more.html?soid=1101415430224&aid=w-qmJPz2g90
We are more than our physical appearance, taste buds or ailments. We are something much more lasting. If you can remember that, all the stress and emotional upset of the world is a lot more manageable.

This week we'll celebrate the little steps you take toward your health and wholeness goals. Manage to substitute a cup of tea for your usual cup of coffee? It may not seem like much, but that can be a major victory over unhealthy, stressful habits. Don't worry if you can't think of anything. You've got plenty of time. Whether it's making time to join a yoga class, research mindfulness meditation, or get some much needed rest, take a moment to congratulate yourself on taking a healthy step. Make it a big deal. Reinforce that choice so it's easier to make again. 

Conflict versus Unity: Choices

It seems like a simple proposition. Make choices based on reducing your internal conflict. But, often choices are made based on habit; habits that have grown throughout the course of a life lived without any particular focus on awareness or dealing with emotions in a healthy way. So we pick up habits based on trying to feel better when in fact those habits make feel worse. We know we shouldn't eat too much sugar, or drink too much coffee, or watch too much tv, or be on facebook for too long, etc, but we do because we're avoiding feeling terrible. It's avoidance, not resolution.


Then we wonder why we're in pain. We trudge through life instead of walking tall. Ani DiFranco is (in my opinion) a very talented musician. In one of her songs she sings: when I look down, I miss all the good stuff, and when I look up, I just trip over things. Can we learn to see both?


Firstly, you have to practice walking without looking behind you. My daughter used to walk into walls that way. Focus on past events can take you away from what's happening now. You will most assuredly walk into emotional walls. Allowing the present moment to be usurped by the past will lead you to make decisions based not on what's going on in front of you but what you've already gone through.


It takes effort to let go of our hold on the past. Which comes first? Letting go of the emotions that come up when you're reminded of the past or letting go of your unhealthy coping mechanisms? It takes time and dedication to get anything accomplished, particularly something you react strongly to.



Yoga gives us techniques to keep us present, to feel calm in the face of strong emotion, to bring our bodies and minds back to wellness. The most powerful tool we have for health and well being is our breath. Take 12 seconds out of your day and take 3 deep breaths. No particular pattern, no particular physical configuration. Just breathe in as deeply as you can (include your belly) and exhale completely. Make it noisy if it helps. Now see how you feel. You can't breathe yesterday or tomorrow. Only now. Take time throughout your day to notice how your breath flows. If it flows.


Once you get a handle on your breath, you can begin to notice how it flows when you're faced with certain situations. You make choices everyday. You have to. Under what circumstances do you choose unhealthy? Under what circumstances is it easy for you to choose what's good for you?


The word yoga means to yoke. It refers to uniting the many disparate parts of the human being. Uniting with yourself in the present moment will allow you to live with less stress, less sickness, and more happiness.

Patience

Last night we sprung ahead. I had planned to spend the night at a close friends' house since Matt was working. Sydonia has never slept away from home and we ended up having to go home in the middle of the night. Last night and today are a very challenging test of my patience. Lack of sleep is making it very difficult to be understanding of everyone else's lack of sleep attitude. Although, my practice has helped me carve out enough space to be able to appreciate the novelty of watching the clock change from 1:59 to 3:00 and appreciate a clear winter sky in the midst of gathering my things and driving home at 2 in the morning. I'm proud that even in frustration I can recognize the good. Izic thought it was fun. :)


Sometimes our impatience is directed toward a long term goal that hasn't yet come to fruition. I have become better at waiting, but there are times when you want your life to be something and realize that you got so impatient with waiting that you stopped trying for it.


The weather this winter. That's all I need to say.


I have a friend who has said for years the reward for patience is patience. So whether it be physical limitations in asana (or life), racing thoughts in meditation, or an expectation that isn't fulfilled, when we are able to settle into a comfortable place and wait without tension, we create ease in our lives. We can not help but reap reward.