MEETING YOUR OWN NEEDS
As you navigate the inevitable life changes that take place for all of us all the time like waves. (*You should know I’m a water sign so the metaphor of waves is a constant presence in my life.) The challenge of keeping yourself focused on the present is supported by having a serious on-going conversation between your loving heart and mind about what Life Appointments are the most meaningful to you. If for a minute you think you can control or fully understand why other people do the things they do or why certain situations present themselves you’re setting yourself up for misery.
Instead we focus on the fact that each of us has a steady choice of what appointments we want to keep for our lives that are the most life affirming. We must think about meeting our own needs through the use of YES to the appointments, events or occasions that are the most important. What happens outside of this is what it is. If seems selfish to meet your own needs then get over it. From 15 years of corporate travel I learned quickly the emergency procedures on the airplane said put the oxygen mask on YOU FIRST, then take care of seniors and children. They don’t apologize for this in an emergency and we shouldn’t in living our daily lives!
Life is no brief candle for me. It is a sort of splendid
Torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want
To make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it
On to the future. George Bernard Shaw
I love the quote above because it serves as a reminder this is not a rehearsal. We do not get to do today over again. If we wait for someone else to make us happy, peaceful or feel loved we have wasted precious time. We must look after our own needs, practicing being true to ourselves and choosing wisely the appointments that grow our lives. Love the day, Silvia
KEEPING YOUR APPOINTMENT WITH LIFE
If we view our lives not as this experience of obligation (not so much I should do this which feels like we’re in trouble for not doing it already) but instead what appointments are you keeping for your life that are the most valuable and life affirming it makes it all easier. All hard edges seem to soften.
Thich Nhat Hanh says it like this: “We have an appointment with life, and that appointment takes place in the present moment. If we miss the present moment, we miss our appointment with life, which is serious.”
While we’re busy coming up with reasons not to keep our appointments, spin your perspective and make real (realize) that they are moving you in the direction of your best life. So time on the mat gives us that opportunity to check in with ourselves and take stock of how we’re doing for the sake of our health and over all well-being. But it begins by acknowledging which Life Appointments are the most vital. What are they for you? How are you doing keeping your appointments? Is YOGA a life appointment you want to keep? If yes, then join me on the mat. I will always support you! Love and light, Silvia