" Overwhelm ... "

“ ... All that You are is so overwhelming

I delight myself in You

Captivated by Your beauty

I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You

You are Beautiful, You are Beautiful ... 

You are Wonderful, You are Wonderful ... 

You are Glorious, You are Glorious ... “

 ~ Big Daddy Weave ~ Overwhelm ~ 

***

Realization ... people live by creating stories about a lot of things that aren’t really happening.  In our mind, you decide to create a story and in a brief instance, everything that could go wrong in your mind does.  You’ve just created this fabulous story of woe and misery.  And now your dealing with the stress that comes with it.  But the catch is, it’s not reality ... yet.  

It is wild to watch how the mind creates and how we begin to manifest the very thing we don’t want.  Humans gravitate towards the what they don’t have so that they can procrastinate, bitch and complain ... and blame someone else.  

Being overwhelmed is a feeling.  When things seems bigger than they are to handle.  There is some truth to that.  Trying to “handle” it all.  This is the time when our minds start to wreck havoc.  They focus on everything all at once ... resulting in anxiety and stress.  

How we move through life is by taking one moment at a time, one event at a time and slowly, very slowly ... we enjoy the journey.  

Our minds can fully focus on one thing at a time. If we focus on the beautiful things around us we will thrive. If we start focusing on the negative things around us then we are going to suffer and feel overwhelmed.

Stories in our minds can make us suffer.  Our minds tell us that we have got to find some solution, keep looking, keep searching.  Through meditation we can begin to observe the thought that arises.  Single focus exercise to bring us back to the present moment.  Living now ... and perhaps giving space and time for the answers to arise.

... focusing on what needs to be done in the moment ...

I was told today that I have a very deep innate nature of negativity.  As difficult as that was to hear, it is true.  Being negative is easy.  And I know that I am not alone in this area.   You see, choosing happiness sounds great ... but not always accessible.  Life goes very well and things can flow when you get out of the way.  

Easier said than done, and, something to keep working on ...

www.walkstrong.ca

" Avoid ... "

“ ... Sorry about that. 

I’ll never know comfort till the sun sets.

I’ve always known the struggle when the light and my eyes met.

They connect.

Put me back in the earth.

I came from dust and not dirt.

You made me from dust, not dirt ... “

~ The Color Morale ~ Avoid ~ 

***

I think people are surprised when you tell them you are a yoga instructor but may not practice intense yoga every day.  Yes, I try, I try very hard.  But with the expectation that it should be easier, personally speaking, every time I step onto the mat, I feel like it’s the first time.  And at times when there is a sudden loss of a loved one, or I am spiraling downward cycle of depression, I have no motivation, let alone the desire to step onto my mat ... but I try ... and I don’t beat myself up if I don’t make it.

With over a decade of my own personal practice, I acknowledge that the poses I avoid at all costs are the ones I need the most.  Sounds like life.  Distractions, procrastination and apathy can allow me to avoid my mat and bury me far away from our most unwanted feelings.  By doing this, I avoid giving attention to that which needs it the most ... the darkness.

... turn a setback into a comeback ...

So getting on your mat can be an arduous task ... yeah, that is a great marketing tool ... but honestly, it sort of is.  Because you don’t want to face those uncomfortable emotions sometimes.  You know those ones, just under the surface.  Fear about what may come up, what you may find and what you may have to let go.  

... remembering that yoga goes beyond the movements we perform on our mat, and that through this solo dance, we give attention to the emotions we are avoiding and transform our reality ... 

• I realize the times when I feel alone in my darkness is the precise time I need to be alone on my island of my yoga mat.  That is when I need it the most .. 20 seconds, 20 minutes or 2 hours ... time is irrelevant.  
• I realize that in those moments, I can listen to what my heart wants and needs ... and do it, with faith and rather than judgement.
• I realize that learning to own my body’s movements and self-expression on the mat helps me to own the darkest emotions while they ebb and flow like the ocean. 
• I realize that as I grieve loss, I can dedicate my practice towards the experience, be grateful, feel connected and a sense of oneness and love.

This practice has been a constant thread in my life ... through loss, turmoil, drama ... and illness.  It is naive for me to think that this practice will erase negative thoughts or strong emotions.  Yet from experience, it saved me from resistance by allowing space to witness what happens inside of me, to accept me, to accept both the darkness and the light.  And appreciate that since our time on Gaia is just a lifetime, we can choose to come home to ourselves, in the present moment, with compassion, kindness and unconditional love.

www.walkstrong.ca

" Tolerate ... "

Try to see the way around you

I can't find it

Try to take the path behind me

Can't rewind it

Stick your finger in my face and

I will break it

Leave me with an after taste

I live for it

I try

Tolerate

~ Staind ~ Tolerate ~ 

***

We’ve heard that life is to be enjoyed and appreciated, not endured.  Then why does it seem that most are just “tolerating” it?

You may understand what I mean.  It is hard to stay in a space of peace, calm and clarity when chaos is in your environment.  Blame it on work, marriage, school, family … we tend to go thru the motions.  We fake it till we make it … we tolerate. 

We tolerate behaviours in others and ourselves …

We tolerate people who are purposely difficult.  
choice … life gets easier when you remove those who make it difficult

We tolerate and attempt to live up to the expectations of others.

choice … do your best and create the time towards your true destiny

We tolerate and share our victim story

choice … life is too short to spend at war with yourself

We tolerate and romanticize and hold on to the past.

choice … you are not your past failures or habits, learn from your regrets and live beyond your fears

We tolerate our excuses.

choice … just do it and let your actions speak for themselves

We deserve to be happy and live a life that we are excited about.  So don’t let others make you forget that.  Just because someone else’s life is in chaos, that they are going thru the motions, and tolerating life … you don’t have to.  Reflect on the person you are capable of being … joyful moments of self-discovery, passionate endeavours, playing and standing up for what you believe in.  Strive for your time of living as a life fully living rather than just tolerating.

www.walkstrong.ca

" How To Deal ... "

How do you cope when ...
And there's nothing you can do about it
How do you deal with
The fact that you had a chance ...
Though it's heartbreakin'
Its something that i had to do
But nobody said that it would hurt so bad
So how do i live
How do i deal ...

~ Frankie J ~ How To Deal ~

***

Even the strongest person has their weakest moments.  The question is not what the issue is, but how to deal with it.  I have had conversations were I complimented on my courage while facing such an “enormous challenge”, and my ability to cope.  

The thing is I don’t choose to just cope, I choose to live. 

Somehow, someway I believe in our darkest hour, we make a choice ... to give up or to thrive.  I believe small steps, taken over time add up ... they transform us.  I believe that by learning to trust life deeply rather than just coping is where healing occurs.

Yes it is difficult but a true test of your faith is when you are embrace the uncertainty.  When you surrender to the process that Life is not as it should be, rather Life is as it is.  At times, a liberating thought, at other times, a terrifying one.  Yet miracles happen when we open ourselves up to the possibilities.

Occasionally there are times we need to pause ... and step away from the hustle and bustle of life.  This pause allows us to rest, heal, reflect and renew our spirit.  This pause allows us to emerged refreshed and ready.  This pause is very necessary.

And we all have challenges that we are dealing with ... some seem trivial and others seem life-threatening ... because every aspect of our life changes constantly ... beliefs, health, relationships, careers.  So you make the most of every situation and you learn to “deal” with what life has thrown at you.  

“Dear Universe ... what’s next? ... I am available ...”

So when everything seems to have fallen apart, but you are still breathing, remember you have options to assert exactly what you want for yourself ... 

• You have the option to create a life you’ll feel passionate about.  
• You have the option to focus on what’s going right instead of what life lacks.  
• You have the option to take action in the present moment, the most powerful one available to you.  
• You have the option to embrace fear, be bold, and be brave.  
• You have the option to just - be - grateful.

And although it may make perfect sense, when chaos happens it is hard to practice.  Yet, I realize that I might stumble but I know that I’ll be okay as long as I remember that I already have all that I need.  I know that focusing on lack is not an option anymore and as all the wonders in my life allow me to move forward and trust.  I must trust the process as I know that my present experience continues to enrich my life in ways that I never could imagine.

“We don’t have to live in the shadow of what could have been 

if we shine a light on what’s working to allow it to grow ... “

" Change ... "

I watch the ripples change their size

But never leave the stream

Of warm impermanence

So the days float through my eyes ...

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

(turn and face the strain)

Ch-ch-changes

Don't want to be a richer man

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

(turn and face the strain)

Ch-ch-changes

Just gonna have to be a different man

Time may change me

But I can't trace time

Strange fascination, fascinating me

Ah changes are taking the pace I'm going through ...

Pretty soon now you're gonna get a little older

Time may change me

But I can't trace time

~ David Bowie ~ Change ~

***

There are times when things move slowly and don’t seem to change much.  Then, suddenly, things change quickly.  We learn to accept that change is a part of life.  And that life is a process of beginnings and endings.  But how do we cope?

We live in a culture that has taught us to be 

uncomfortable with uncertainty. 

Life changes are challenging because they force us out of our comfort zone.  They force us to let go of the familiar.  They force us to face the future with a feeling of vulnerability.  This in turn makes us fearful and anxious and this is normal because now your future is filled with questions.  Questions with variable answers.  

Fear ... are we born with it or taught it?

Whether positive or negative, life changes cause us to leave behind the familiar and force us to adjust to new ways of living.  Looking at the bright side, transitions can allow us to learn about our strengths and to explore what we really want out of life.  This can be a time of reflection bringing a sense of renewal, stability and new balance. 

Having the confidence in knowing you can and will move forward helps.  Start by identifying your purpose in life and the things that fulfill you.  Quiet your mind and focus on what you can control.  Convince yourself that the experience you are facing is just a temporary defeat rather than a huge failure.  Surround yourself with positive and friendly associations.  And spend your time and energy on creating a positive future.

Take advantage of the fork in the road 

and explore what your ideal life would look like.  

Every life transition provides a learning opportunity that can be so profound it changes your perspective on life after you have moved through it.  So whether life transition evolves slowly or is forced by an unexpected event, remember this period of time doesn’t have to be purgatory.  

Realize that you don’t have to wait to get through it so you can reach your desired destination.  Have faith you are planting the seeds for a glorious new phase of your life.  Trust me, some days these are the only thoughts that keep me going ...

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, 

we are challenged to change ourselves” 

~ Viktor E. Frankl