Practice

Happy Monday. I hope you all had a good weekend. Last weekend I was struggling with disappointment over the behavior of a few folks. It is hard when looking in on a situation from the outside to get the full picture but the part I was seeing made me sad and a bit angry. It is often in these situations that I notice my feelings swirling around the patterns of the past and this makes it difficult to gain the valuable perspective to be mindful. 

I went to my files where I often do and found this reminder, a mantra of sorts that I had written out for myself several years ago There is a tendency to shut down or fight when we feel hurt or angry but the practice reminds us to lean in and be with what we are feeling. It is only in seeing and being with the waves of thoughts and emotions and processing the outward ripples that the tide turns and the ocean settles.
 

When we Practice we accept the limitations of both ourselves and others.

When we Practice we begin to understand the complex patchwork that are our emotions and our beliefs. 

When we Practice we learn how to connect to the Sacred Pause; the moment that changes reaction into mindful action.

When we Practice we learn through patience and commitment not to expect extreme changes from one day to the next, rather small changes over time bring us to a place of growth.

When we Practice we begin to find acceptance in the not knowing, in the moments of discomfort, in the times we are pushed outside of our comfort zone.

When we Practice we learn that this discomfort is the only way we truly grow. 

Both on the mat and off we can practice by accepting both the body and the mind with whatever limitations we might be experiencing and understanding the connection between our thoughts and fears and our physical body. This leads us to remembering the power of consistency and patience and then accepting that this is what allows for true change. Perhaps the hardest part of the practice is finding comfort in discomfort; both in challenging ourselves to step outside what we “typically” do both physically and emotionally and the acceptance of not knowing what is coming next. 

What has become clear to me is how much of an evolution this practice is. The tiny shifts are almost imperceivable most of the time and we likely revert back in moments. However those moments prepare us to spring forward into more powerful, insightful, effective and peaceful versions of ourselves. This is what I have been practicing and I invite you to practice right along with me.