It has been longer that I would have liked to write the next blog, but here we are. I am writing this during the summer holidays, the kids are asleep and I am enjoying a morning cuppa in the garden.
Over the last month or so I came to contemplate the busyness of life, the fullness of life and whether it really needs to be this way. Due to possibly a number of reasons (hormones being one of them) I was struggling with my mental health, feeling mental fatigue and physically exhausted. For me, this was in part due to giving in and falling asleep to life and being carried along on the treadmill. Doing, without knowing that I am doing. Almost a sense of survival. It is at times like this, I start to question what I am doing, how I am doing it and whether I can do it. I consider making rash decisions to make me feel better. However, how often do we think "life will be better when..." or "I will be happier when..."? I am sure we all fall into this trap from time to time. Inevitably that moment, if it comes, is fleeting and then the happiness goal post moves further away. There is a saying:
"There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way" (Thich Nhat Hanh)
From a yoga perspective, to me, that means knowing and being aware that I am here. We all have inner wisdom to help guide us through - we just don't always listen. Many external and internal factors can prevent us from listening. Too much internal noise, and too much external validation muddies the way to happiness.
When I am caught in either state, I need to pause. Before that though, comes the awareness that I am stuck here. The more I practice, the quicker I realise.
Sometimes to pause you need to purposefully carve out time, create boundaries for yourself. And I hear you..."I don't have time to pause", "I am too busy to do anything for myself". Of course you have time! It's amazing what we are capable of with the right mindset. We can be very good at coming up with excuses about why we can't do something, but you can find the time, if you choose to look.
Of course, when I pause I choose to practice yoga and to meditate. However, yours might be gardening, playing music, knitting, dress making, baking, or whatever you do to allow you to be present, connect with your inner world and the world around you. Then make time for it, but do it and know you are doing it. This can be extended to more actions in your day, like making a cuppa, brushi
ng your teeth, walking, so that you begin to live mindfully more of the time.
The sense of survival of just getting through each day, or just getting to the next weekend or holiday, means we miss what is important to us. Life.
Life. What is your dharma (your purpose in life) and does this align with what you are doing? In Buddhism our dharma is to serve others and not to serve our ego. "When your life is aligned with your dharma, it brings a sense of joy and fulfilment". (Yogapedia) We can only access our dharma, through self awareness and listening. Just keep listening and observing and then make choices (not rash ones, informed ones) about the direction of your life from here.
My family bought this fridge magnet for my birthday (who doesn't love a fridge magnet)...
The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why. (Mark Twain)
I think this is what we should teach our children; teach them to be true to themselves but we can only do that if we are doing it ourselves.
From my heart to yours
Namaste x
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