3 principles that will create radical positive change in your life

Life can change completely in one day, and it’s how we react to this that defines our character.

It’s one of the great privileges of my work that I get to hear people’s stories. Not in a dramatic, ‘this is the story of my life’ kind of way, but in a ‘this is just how it is for me right now’ kind of way. It’s always humbling to hear what’s going on for people below the surfaces as we carry on day to day.

We all have lots going on. It’s called life. But on hearing all the stories I have lately, I’m reminded of how very easy it is for us to get caught up in things that keep us distracted from living life to our full potential. They hold us back in all sorts of ways but they can really add up.

3 principles that will transform your life

Stop Comparing

We look around and see people we think are happier, better looking, more successful than us all the time. It’s human to do so. But next time you catch yourself doing this next time, try and just let it go.

Look around you at work or on the bus and you’d never know the man over there is caring for a wife with cancer, the woman who just ran into you did so because she’s been up all night with a crying baby for the last 3 weeks straight, and the kid whose music was annoying you? He was just so happy because the girl he’s been trying to get the courage to ask out actually said yes.

As Oscar Wilde said, ‘Be yourself. Everyone else is taken’.

Take Risks (Every Day)

What feels risky to you? Wearing something out of your usual style? Asking for a pay rise? Talking to someone you don’t know? Consider these opportunities! The more we can gently get used to small risks, the more we realise how little attention anyone else is paying to us and the more we develop our courage.

Focus on Yourself

Repeat after me, self care isn’t selfish! If we’re running on empty we are no use to ourselves or anyone else. This is straightforward but that's not to say it's easy. As yogis we are peaceful warriors. We have to gently but fiercely defend our needs.

It helps to know that the more we can do this, the more we can be fully present and happy in our lives, the benefits of which flow through us into every single person we interact with. So when we practice self care, we literally serve others and the greater good. 

I hope you find this helpful. Until next time, take care and I'll see you soon!

Ruth

Stuck in the middle

‘I can laugh about it now but at the time it was terrible’ – Morrisey

When you’re in the middle of something, it’s never the right time to try and get wise about it. After it’s over and you’ve had some time to process and reflect, absolutely absorb the lessons but when you’re in the paintball game and you’ve just been smacked in the face, it’s more useful to stay in the moment.

When I first started learning yoga, it was a revelation to me that I could feel relaxed, and that I could have some positive feelings about my body afterward. It was a heady yoga honeymoon period and I couldn’t get enough of it. But as I continued to practice and my awareness became more refined, I found I still craved the stretch and release but I was starting to resist the awareness. It wasn’t fun observing some of the things that came up and being in a place where I couldn’t escape my emotions or physical limitations. The yoga wasn’t letting me wriggle out of what was going on for me that day and frankly, yoga, sometimes I just wanted to eat cupcakes and watch shitty TV. But I digress.

I know now that emotions are our own personal life messengers, nothing more and nothing less. So while we shouldn’t indulge them, we also shouldn’t ignore them. They always have something useful for us. When we are ignoring them we usually have the feeling that something is off, but we can’t quite put our finger on what it is.

But honestly, I do still have a lot of resistance. Usually it’s easier if I’ve used some movement to coax myself into stillness so my body and mind scream at me less when I do. Now I think of this process like surfing – we have to paddle out through the break before we get to the awesome waves behind and that’s when we can ride them. And yes, sometimes we get wiped out, sometimes we don’t catch anything but sometimes it’s an incredible ride.  We practice this stuff every time we get on the yoga mat or meditation cushion. It’s training for coping with life.

This week it's the new moon the mood is more contemplative than active. So I have for you three ponderances (which is possibly not a word). Try free writing about each of these for 5 - 10 minutes per question.

What are you in the middle of?

·      What is the single biggest cause of stress in my life right now?

·      What other aspects of my life are being overshadowed by this?

·      What am I resisting admitting to myself, because I am afraid of the implications?

We’ll be exploring a veritable buffet of these tricks at the winter mini retreat in Brisbane in 2 days.