WARNING: Graphic illustration of bodily functions -- turn back now if you are grossed out by poop talk!
I'm not fasting today, and I'm not happy about that. It's a good way to encourage detachment in me, though, which, after all, is the point of fasting. Ironic.
I went to bed last night with a horrendous sore throat and muscle aches, and I woke up in the middle of the night with severe abdominal cramps leading to the complete (I hope) and rapid (unfortunately) expulsion of whatever was in my bowels at that time. Bleh. The upside is that I woke up with clean insides! The downside is that I'm actually sore from the cramping. Crazy.
So, yeah. I have a cold. I blame Steve (who has been sick since last Thursday) even though it's more likely I picked up a virus from a little person. Between Sam (the boy with whom I work) and nephews and nieces and other kids who are just around, it is quite likely in any given week that I'll pick up a bug from a little person. Darn children. (Kidding!!)
Moving on now.
As you may or may not know, I teach yoga classes. I love it! In many ways, I feel I was designed to do this kind of work in life -- healing, spiritual and physical work. Did I mention I love it? Next month, I begin a four-week teacher-training program through the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, and I am SO EXCITED! I can barely contain myself on most days. Seriously.
Anyway, to prepare for the training, we are reading Kripalu Yoga: A Guide to Practice On and Off the Mat. Even though the book is mostly about yoga, it is really about paths toward general health and wellness. I highly recommend it even if you are not into yoga, per se. Today, I turned to a section called "Navigating the Journey of Change" -- SO appropriate for the Fast, no? What I read resonated VERY strongly for me, so I thought I would share:
Awareness is the first step in lifestyle change. Feelings and insights that arise during yoga practice are important signposts, but life provides constant opportunities to see yourself and grow in self-awareness. As you attune to where you are right now, you often have a strong sense of the direction you want to move.
Acceptance is being at peace with however you are showing up in the moment. Acceptance frees up the energy required to change. Judging yourself for not being better only undermines self-esteem and drains energy. Without acceptance, there is little possibility for true change and absolutely none for enjoying the process.
Adjustment is making a desired lifestyle change to enhance well-being. Start with easy-to-accomplish adjustments you find pleasant. Inspired by success, you will naturally move on to areas of greater challenge. Avoid the trap of wanting to change everything overnight, or feeling that the changes required are so great, that it is not even worth starting. The secret to long lasting change is gradual adjustments over time. (p187 -- emphasis in bold typeface is mine -- italics were included in the original text)
WOW! Really, wow! You know? I often say in my classes, "Honor where your body is today -- it is simply one point along a continuum of growth and flexibility. In time and with gradual efforts, your postures deepen and you move ever closer toward proper alignment in the asanas. Give yourself some grace, though, if your body isn't where your mind imagines it 'ought' to be. Focus on the little steps." In the context of yoga practice, letting change happen naturally and gradually makes complete sense to me; it is very obvious to me, in fact. However, there is an UTTER LACK of application of these principles in my personal life! How did that happen? Wow.
I am totally that person who wants everything to change overnight! Especially in my relationships. It affected my first marriage, and I realize that it is affecting my life now, despite the fact that I am aware of it. Sometimes it feels like a runaway train, though--no matter how hard I try NOT to expect change RIGHT NOW, that expectation just takes over.
So, I am reflecting DEEPLY on these principles: Awareness, Acceptance and Adjustment. Wow.
For today, I am reflecting on these quotes:
Yesterday is dead. Tomorrow is not yet born. We can only live in the present. (Yogi Amrit Desai)
Let each morn be better than its eve and each morrow richer than its yesterday. (Bahá'u'lláh, Tablet of Wisdom - Lawh-i-Hikmat)
