A Yogi’s New Year Resolution

Here we are yogis – one week into 2016.  I’ve been thinking long and hard about my goals and a resolution for 2016.  We talk a lot about taking our lessons off the mat and out of the studio, and I really wanted to make that part of my intention for the new year.

I shared with my class last night a conversation with my youngest daughter where she was going on and on about how stressed she was.  I immediately shot back with, “well, you think your stressed, well then I am really stressed!”  And back and forth we went in the conversation trying to argue who in fact was the most stressed.

How often during the day are you checking in with the thoughts in your head to really find out if they are true?  I think to myself sometimes “did that really just come out of my mouth?”

During a typical day, many of us can relate to the following statements:

I’m stressed.

I’m overwhelmed.

There’s never enough time in the day.

I’m tired.

And our friends, loved ones, and colleagues are eager to chime in.  We are addicted to not just complaining, but we are addicted to convincing ourselves that we have no control of anything.  Certainly, we are the MOST stressed of anyone we know, and if given the opportunity, we can rattle off a list of reasons about why are lives are so much harder.  And isn’t it draining?  Do you really feel rejuvenated after an hour-long complaining session?  If we are constantly barraging ourselves with messages like this is it any wonder why we are convinced life is so damn hard?

I shared with my class that I was going to take on a new challenge for my New Year’s Resolution 2016 – I am going to stop hopping on the negativity bandwagon.  No more lamenting how stressed I am.  No more moaning how exhausted I am.  I know the struggle is going to be real, and I am going to slip up, but I hope by the end of this year I will have created a new normal.  Just like in yoga, practice and all is coming.

I am resilient.

I am doing everything that needs to be done.

I am capable.

I am present in this moment.

 

Namaste,

Cheryl