Pure. Clarity. By the end of this session I see clearly again and it's as if everything that seemed impossible before now feels like a footnote.
During the class, our instructor read us a quote from none other than the talk show mogul herself, Oprah Winfrey. Normally I don't take many of her words to heart but this really made me step back and take a look at how we as a society handle our lives.
When everything is said and done, we are human and we only have this short little amount of time to live a life. One life. No second chances, no do-overs. So why do we constantly focus on things like careers and money and fame when none of it really matters? When we leave this world, the only thing we carry with us is our soul and the love we've been able to permeate to the those around us.
Here's this little tidbit from Ms. Winfrey - but for now I'd like to call her Yoda:
"I keep a little bottle of bubble-blowing potion and a bubble wand on my desk. And when the day gets too heavy and I'm feeling overwhelmed, I may actually blow a few.
Blowing the perfect bubble requires bringing your attention to your breath and placing it in the space of the present moment. Kind of like bubble meditation. Being fully present automatically lifts your spirits. Clears your mind of distractions. Brings clarity. Even some joy, if you're open to it.
Blowing bubbles reminds me of happiness. It makes me think of lying flat on my back on a bed of grass, taking in the sky (sky meditation). Or standing in a grove of trees (tree meditation). Or walking through the woods with my dogs (dog-walking meditation). The best is when I get to do all three in one day.
In our current economic state, we have a choice: We can reside in a place of desperation, panic, and fear—or we can literally give ourselves some breathing space. Take in a few deep breaths. Exhale. And focus on what we need instead of what we've been striving to have.
When was the last time you thought about what really makes you feel good? Just thinking about that walk through the woods with my dogs brings a smile to my spirit.
What fills you up? What matters most to you?
For me, it's finding teachable moments in every experience. I'm happiest when I'm either learning or teaching. But I can do neither without giving my full attention to whatever or whoever needs to be in focus. That means listening with my whole body, all senses attuned to the moment.
Meaningful things happen when you give someone your undivided—undistracted—attention. Because that's what everyone is really looking for: to be validated, appreciated, heard. To be raised up by their interactions, and not put down.
I know for sure: When we connect to what's alive in another person, the feeling is mutual.
And we both get a lift."
Being fully present is something that I'm challenging myself to do. So often we get lost in a day-in-day-out clock-in-clock-out lifestyle and I fear we've forgotten how to actually be here and give those around us the respect of your full presence in that moment.
I'm going to be cheesy again for a second and quote one of my favorite movies People Like Us, with Chris Pine (LOVE HIM!)
"Lean into it - it means that the outcome doesn't matter - what matters is that you were there for it."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6R_mGTLszE
Anyway this is my piece for today, I apologize if I got a little to deep and cheesy!
Love, your 20-something wanna-be guru and yoga enthusiast. XOXO
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