Finding your support system can make all the difference

 

You’ve hit the reset button and started the arduous, oftentimes painful and slow, process of reinventing yourself: your thought patterns, habits, goals. You’ve purged the old to make room for the new, and now you want to share your plans with someone you trust. Someone who will understand (at least) the basics. Beware: those who don’t “get it” may look at you like you’ve sprouted a third eye, and/or say things that challenge your convictions. But, those who generally understand will rally around you to champion your quest. Unfortunately, though, even the most well-meaning friends can inadvertently choke the life from the tender seedlings of progress we’ve begun to nurture. That’s why we must learn to discern our closest allies—the tribal few who know when to provide an ear, or a (virtual) hug or a word of encouragement, when needed. And, of course, to celebrate our successes. Growth isn’t easy, but a support system offers vital nourishment to help us flourish.

Who are your closest go-to allies?

Image courtesy of lekcha at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

(Re)writing your story: happily-ever-now

If you ever find yourself in the wrong story, leave.
~ Mo Willems

Everything we might’ve been taught says running away isn’t the solution. That we should look adversity in the face and show it we’re stronger. But what about when quitting means leaving a situation where we’ve tried over and over yet nothing changes? In her post, “You’re Allowed to Leave,” Rania Naim invites us to let toxic friends go, to surround ourselves with love—people who encourage and nurture us—and to pick the kind of energy we need in our lives. “You’re allowed to forgive yourself for your biggest and smallest mistakes and you’re allowed to be kind to yourself, you’re allowed to look in the mirror and actually like the person you see.” Leaving might not mean physically. Letting go could simply mean releasing ourselves from the expectations of others and those expectations we’ve adopted as our own. Don’t wait for Someday to be happy. Be happy now.

What does your happily-ever-now look like?

Image courtesy of dan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

What I learned after skipping yoga for more than a week

Over the past two years, I’ve only missed three or four consecutive days of Bikram yoga practice, until last week when I missed nine. Beforehand, I wondered what I’d do with the extra time, or if I’d go a little crazy(ier) without my regular dose of moving meditation. But not only did I survive, I discovered:

1) I had almost forgotten how to spend time alone, and how to make plans without working around my yoga classes. Life exists outside of the hot room.
2) The practice of “yoga” (the “physical, mental and spiritual disciplines that aim to transform body and mind” according to Wikipedia) looks differently to everyone. It can be a walk or bike ride, or may consist of stretching exercises, devotions or breathing through a difficult situation.
3) I need to make a habit of scaling back in life. This allows for other ways to nurture my physical, mental and spiritual health.

How easy is it for you to take a break from your favorite activity(ies)?

So close, yet so far away

[Image credit: David Castillo Dominici]

2,000 miles: the average distance between my family, friends and me.  Despite the miles, however, Facebook, email, mobile messaging, Skype and air travel magically draw us all close enough — even if temporarily — to touch.   Similarly, when it comes to my dreams, I’ve been fortunate to have received a taste of what’s yet to come — a teaser, if you will — and I know it’s going to be sweet.  But I also realize, just like with relationships, our dreams (whether near or far off in the future) require nurturing or they may easily slip through our fingers if we’re not careful.  So any opportunity to bridge the distance provides a purpose and a hope … while I wade through the realities of Today on my journey toward Someday.

How do you bridge the gap between dreams that are close, yet still far off in the distance?