Walking On Glass

Watching the praying mantis walk across the window; she on the outside, I’m on the inside; I had a perspective unique to more typical points of view.  She seemed unaware I was so close and yet, she seemed to look right at me.  She seemed to see me, too.  Her delicate steps and swaying movements to counter the wind blowing against her fragile body were remarkable to witness.  Perfect balance.  She glided along as if skating so high above the earth. 

I remember years ago walking on the Skywalk, a glass walkway 4,000 feet above the Grand Canyon.  At first, walking alone in the middle. Then quickly recognizing my uncertainty and need to hold onto the rail.  Stepping so very carefully with great care.  We wore cloth slippers over our shoes so not to scratch the glass walkway.  This added to the feeling of vulnerability and desire for secure footing.

Our life experiences and the unexpected surfaces upon which we find ourselves may sometimes feel as if we’re walking on glass.  We know we need to tread carefully while we renew our balance and sure footing.  So how?  What allows for strength to emerge when all seems so breakable? 

Watching the praying mantis, I witnessed her strength at holding on.  She moved slowly, yet she was persistent in her efforts.  She adjusted to the pressures of wind as she stepped precisely and accurately. 

As I ventured along the Skywalk and holding onto the rail, I realized the unsteadiness in my legs and feet matched my uneasy breath.  I paused…waited for my breath to still and calm, and then legs and feet to steady.  Then I moved on.   

What allows for strength when all seems so breakable?  For me, breath is key.  With breath, the steadiness returns.  With breath, uncertainty transforms into knowing.  Vulnerability lessens as confidence emerges with each breath and each step forward.   Move with breath... allow the breath to bring clarity and strength as you walk each path… glass or otherwise.

No Shoulds

Should I?  It should be this way.  I shouldn’t do that. 

The psychologist, Albert Ellis, suggested to his clients, “Don’t should on yourself or others.”

The inner chatter and ongoing conversations within are filled with shoulds about the past, present and future.  We create the story about how things were, how things are supposed to be, and how things are going to be.  Expectations of the way things should have been and should be are layered over past, present, and future experiences. 

Yoga dissolves the mental chatter and ruminations.  Yoga teachings in Pantanjali’s Yoga Sutras 1:1 – 1:4 reveal that with humility and practice, we calm the chatter within and join the stillness of the present moment.  We unite breath and movement, we connect our mind and heart, and we yoke awareness to this moment.  We discover and remember who we are and what is true for now.  Stillness and Grace emerge and we know all is right. 

That’s another reason I practice yoga.  

   

Have a “YES! Day”

When our son was growing up, we had “YES! Day.”  Not every day.  And sometimes it was not for a whole day.  We maybe had a “YES! Half-Day” or a "YES! Hour."  I’ve come to understand that these times were extraordinary and freeing for me.  As a full-time working mom, I was often caught up in the all-powerful and demanding schedule.  Time was planned and delineated.  So that when I was asked if I could do something, my initial internal answer would be “No.”  I just didn’t go to “Yes” at first response.  I thought “No” before “Yes.”  So that when there was a “YES! Day,” it was so amazing.  It was freeing and exhilarating to say “Yes” without a thought or justification.  There was a feeling of abundance where all is possible.

Our son and I just played and did whatever he asked during a “YES! Day or Hour.”  I remember this one particular day when he and I were both home together since schools were closed.  We were having breakfast and I asked, “What do you want to do today?”  He said, “Go to the White House.”  I answered, “YES! Let’s go!”  And that is how our day began.  We rode the metro, we walked, we laughed, we played, and we did whatever he asked.  We went to the White House.  We went to the FBI Headquarters.  We went to the Smithsonian Institution.  We ate.  We got tired.  We came home.  Each part of our “YES! Day” was filled with the abundance of knowing all is available, all is possible, and all is within reach. 

As I began my journey and study of Yoga, I became increasingly aware of how this concept of abundance is experienced in my thinking, feeling, and physical bodies.  Yoga brought the understanding of abundance and scarcity mentality as described by Stephen R. Covey, to all aspects or layers of my practice.  Saying “Yes” to something does mean saying “No” to another.  My practice has not been to say “Yes” to everything or everyone.  My practice is to notice and be aware if I go to “No” without considering, discerning, allowing the possibility of “Yes.”  This is where abundance grows and opens…in that ever-so-slight pause before answering or deciding. 

On the mat, this means that I practice “Yes” to what is possible within each posture, each breath.  When thoughts of “No” come in, I pause to determine if this is an old response or habit of thinking.  More often, a new choice is revealed.  A choice of saying “Yes” to being in this moment and experiencing all that is abundantly available in the pose, in breath, and in spirit.  Taking “Yes” off the mat is a practice of observing initial reactions to challenges or the unexpected.  Noticing how thinking, feeling, and physical bodies respond.  Finding the abundance in a situation and not responding from a place of scarcity.  The practice is creating a pause to breathe and to be aware that abundance is found in the stillness.  The practice is knowing that abundance allows and reveals opportunities for actions, reactions, and more than we can imagine possible. 

At the White House

Notice the Changes

Observing nature allows for so many lessons.  Spring shows us how life again unfolds and is new.  The plants and trees that appeared to be so lifeless in winter, are abundant with new growth and bursting with color.  The seasons and life cycle of plants and animals that surround us are reminders of the changes that are always occurring.  Life does not stand still.  It moves, changes, evolves, adapts, transforms, and ends.  It begins again, a new way emerges, and the cycle continues. 

Yoga teaches us the same.  Our experience on the mat is unique to each and every practice.  Each Tadasana (Mountain Pose) is new and unique each time we step on the mat. And this uniqueness is with each pose, each time we practice.  We are not the same as yesterday and will not be the same tomorrow.  We are extraordinary exquisite expressions of nature each day.  So, what is it that you wish to be?  Bring this wish to your mat.  Practice what you desire on your mat and watch it grow, observe it blossom, and notice as it becomes you.  Then…watch it emerge off the mat.

How?  Choose an action that you wish to invoke in your practice.  For example, having an easeful breath within more difficult postures.  Then begin.  Watch your breath as you move, within your postures, between your poses, and when you forget… start again.  Practice taking it off the mat.  Pick a situation that brings tension within your muscles; driving or waiting in line.  You can change this to be more favorable with an easeful breath.  Inhale one, two, three, four…exhale one, two, three, four.  Breathe again with ease, softness, and slow.  Observe what is different.  Notice what changed. 

Remembering that life moves, vibrates, and changes as it should makes me smile.  It “is what it is” in this moment.  The next moment will be different.  And the auspicious part is that You are a miracle of life, of nature, and the ocean of energy and vibration that is all and everything.  What is your desire? How will you begin?  You can choose.

Lovely Spring

A Dozen Years

Why does she keep going back to the same place every year?  I’ve heard that asked.  I’ve asked that question myself… more than once.  And yet I return again and again. 

This year made a dozen times.  I’ve traveled to the same location in Negril, Jamaica to practice yoga.  For the past five years, I’ve also taught.  And each year is uniquely extraordinary.

Out of the sameness of traveling to this familiar place and reuniting with Jamaican friends, a new discovery and understanding are revealed.  The Jamaican experience offers an opportunity to explore and observe patterns of thinking and being, with the backdrop of the exquisite glory of Mother Nature.   

The surroundings are extraordinarily beautiful with sparkling Caribbean water in sight with at most the turn of your head.  The yoga practice space is open with sea breezes and sunsets.  The senses are tempted and caressed throughout each day.  Yet, challenges of visiting a Jamaican family-owned resort emerge shortly after arrival.  Water leaking from the ceiling, low water pressure, or a power outage appears.  And practice begins.

A practice begins of noticing how I respond when expectations are not met.  The lessons of life are presented within the framework of ordinary circumstances.  I examine what matters to me in this life and whether or not my thoughts and actions contribute to enhance what matters.  Examination moves through the level of physical and basic needs to interactions and relationships with others to conscious awareness and deeper understanding of myself. 

This framework of ordinary circumstances has included waiting for three hours to be served a meal at a local restaurant.  They needed to go buy the chicken, cook it, and then serve it.  It was the absolute best Jerk chicken ever!  Hot water is not a given, Wi-Fi is intermittent at most, and “on time” does not mean “on time.”  Genuine, loving smiles are plentiful, respect for one another is obvious, kind words are offered without reservation, and complaining of what is lacking is almost never heard.

So over these dozen years, I have noticed that what I expect to be or happen is probably not going to be or happen, and that it usually doesn’t matter.  What does matter is the way I react and interact with others in all situations.  What does matter is to spend time each day in appreciation and gratitude for all that is abundantly given with each breath, with each sunset, with each person’s smile, and in each precious moment.

Why do I keep going back to the same place every year?   My practice continues as I have more to learn.