Fish and Whale

Get out of Bikram.  I decided last weekend to give this form of a yoga a chance.  While I have heard many people speaking highly of Bikram, I was not sure it was something I would find…enjoyable.  Merely thinking about saunas makes me feel uncomfortable.  But as I discovered part way through class-that is the point.  To push yourself beyond your comfort level, and pay attention to what comes through in those vulnerable moments.  Simply making it through my first class was an accomplishment.  These past few days, I have been debating with myself whether or not to take the leap and commit to a full month.  And this morning, though I waited until the last possible minute to leap on my bike-I went for it.  My 2nd class this morning was even easier than the first (“easier” in the most elementary of senses).  What you find in the stillness, is strength.  I looked myself in the eye, and wanted to see if I was having fun.  That’s right-fun.  And the result?  I smiled.  SMILED.  While I may not have pushed myself enough in the past, I am finally beginning to comfortably be uncomfortable.  To take each and every moment one at a time.  This mini breakthrough is going to make waves in my world.  Whatever it is you’re reaching for, twisting and pulling and bending over backwards for-look yourself in the eye, and smile.  Take pleasure in that pain.  Otherwise-what’s the point?

Waking up before 6am feels…wonderful.  

Energy.  It’s such a powerful, all encompassing word.  The energy of the sun, the energy between two people, the energy required to move your body from point A to point B.  This unexplainable force governs our every move, carefully calculated by the compassion and consideration we extend to the world.  Have you ever wondered just what it is that allows us to dream at night of a different universe, or picture ourselves in a completely foreign body? What it is that seems to ebb and flow throughout our soul so that we are able to feel emotionally connected to others across the globe?  Or even across time?  We are all living a parallel experience. And a perpendicular one.  Every morning, we rise to greet the day and the energy this world possesses.  We can tap in to this collective force, learn from it, and continue our own journeys with an educated awareness.  I will never understand why people insist we are so different.  In terms of exterior qualities and circumstances-yes.  I agree.  But internally, emotionally-we share in this unique experience given to us known as life.  It has been said that before dying, we are able to look back on our lives.  So what if right now is the look back?  What if, for all our planning, criticizing, and unhappiness-our movements have already been dictated?  It is with this in mind that I think we-I need to go through each moment with a heightened sense of perception.  Each minute of the day is its own tiny miracle, and I want to be fully present for every opportunity, encounter, and experience.  The unknown, as I have come to learn-is really a blessing in disguise.  Relish in what is happening right now.  Deal with each moment one at a time, giving it your full attention and energy.  The present only happens once.  Don’t be absent for it.

Aside from your inevitably busy day, I can almost guarantee that you have 2 minutes to spare.  Two minutes you likely waste away on something that has nothing to do with you, will not inspire you to do anything great, and will not add to the collective knowledge your brain contains.  I propose this: why not take those 2 minutes, collect them over a month, and turn them in to an hour of time.  Place that extra hour in your pocket, do a little research, and donate that time to a local organization.  There are so many opportunities available within your community to give back.  I promise it won’t hurt.  In fact, you might actually meet someone and have a quality conversation.  Possibly even leave on some sort of positive high and find yourself thirsting for more.  Whether you want to work with a particular set of people (children, teens, seniors, folks with Autism) or volunteer in a specified field (art, history, sports, etc) I GUARANTEE you can find a organization that would be ever grateful for help.  In these ever changing times, we need to reconfirm our belief in the healing power of the people.  Support your community, supply a smile, and start volunteering today.

Some days feel heavier than others.