Usually I'm pretty amazed by the workings of the Universe - it always seems to know exactly what I need at any given moment but lately I haven't been so impressed. I understand life isn't always going to be rainbows and butterflies, but it's really hard to watch those you love always have the rug pulled out from under them. It's times like these that make me question a lot of the things in which I believe.
I believe if our thoughts are pure and good-intentioned then so are our actions. I believe there is always a silver lining (no matter how dim the situation). I believe in hope and faith and that our drama is our dharma (even if we're not quite sure what our dharmas are just yet). I believe in the power of positive thinking, love, friends, and family. And I do believe that if it's not okay, it's not the end. But the other day everything in which I believe was called into question.
I felt like I was watching a really bad boxing match (or what I would imagine to be a really bad boxing match considering I've never actually watched one) and my team was losing, constantly being taken down without any chance of getting back on their feet. It just didn't seem fair and yes, I do know life isn't fair, but it'd be one thing if these were malicious people, but they're everything but, so needless to say, I was having a hard time seeing the silver lining, believing in the power of positive thinking and in the idea that everything happens for a reason (and usually unveils something about ourselves).
The most extraordinary thing happened, however, those who really should have been frustrated and crying and throwing in the towel, kept going. That's not to say they didn't shed their fair share of tears and wonder 'why?', but, despite all odds, they held their heads up and moved on. Their response reminded me that it's in the most difficult of times that we have to hold on even harder to that in which we believe. It's the times when we want to curl up into a ball and disappear through the floorboards that we have to find the energy to hope and to have faith that things will get better.
A couple years ago I found a plaque with the following phrase by Edward Teller, "When you come to the end of all the light you know, and it's time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: Either you will be given something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly." It now hangs above my bed and is a constant reminder that everything will be okay - no matter the struggle - if we believe.
Showing posts with label positive thinking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label positive thinking. Show all posts
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Setting a Sankalpa
One of my favorite things about yoga happens within the first 10 minutes of class when we take time to settle in and set a sankalpa or an intention. It's such a simple gesture but I've found it has a profound effect not only on my class, but also on the rest of my day. I love how one of my teachers explains how to set an intention to her new students - she asks them to think of a quality they'd like to cultivate in their lives. The idea being whatever you create on your mat follows you out into your daily life.
I just finished my first teacher training apprenticeship and it was during this time that I really noticed the effects of setting an intention. I was nervous that first Sunday and the first thing that came to mind was 'confidence' and the second 'open mind'. I decided both were good as I needed to be confident in my knowledge and open to new ideas and lessons so I went with both. I can't say that I noticed an immediate difference. It wasn't until the following Sunday when I failed to set an intention that I noticed myself stumbling more and simply not feeling as comfortable in my verbal and physical adjustments. After that class, I decided I'd stick with the intentions set during my first class and I honestly felt much more confident and comfortable in all of my remaining apprenticeships.
I also found that, as intended, it translated to my life outside of the yoga studio and I'm in a noticeably better mood when I take the time to set an intention. It serves as an example of how powerful our thoughts are and gives even more meaning to the saying 'the power of positive thinking'.
As elementary as it may seem, I think there is so much truth in that phrase. I was going through a really difficult time awhile back when a dear friend suggested I envision the positive outcome I wanted. When she asked me to do this, I was wrought with negative thoughts and didn't believe that something as simple as thinking positively would make a difference. But by this point, I had tried everything else and decided I didn't have anything to lose (and, at the same time, I might just feel a little better). And, you know, who knows, maybe all of my stars aligned, maybe someone somewhere decided I needed a break, or maybe that positive thinking really paid off, but that outcome I envisioned came true.
I'm sold on positive thinking. For those of you who know what I went through over the past two years know what a struggle it was for me. A normally positive, happy person, I was someone I didn't recognize and though I can't change my past, you can bet I'll be setting positive intentions not only in my yoga classes, but also each day when I wake.
I just finished my first teacher training apprenticeship and it was during this time that I really noticed the effects of setting an intention. I was nervous that first Sunday and the first thing that came to mind was 'confidence' and the second 'open mind'. I decided both were good as I needed to be confident in my knowledge and open to new ideas and lessons so I went with both. I can't say that I noticed an immediate difference. It wasn't until the following Sunday when I failed to set an intention that I noticed myself stumbling more and simply not feeling as comfortable in my verbal and physical adjustments. After that class, I decided I'd stick with the intentions set during my first class and I honestly felt much more confident and comfortable in all of my remaining apprenticeships.
I also found that, as intended, it translated to my life outside of the yoga studio and I'm in a noticeably better mood when I take the time to set an intention. It serves as an example of how powerful our thoughts are and gives even more meaning to the saying 'the power of positive thinking'.
As elementary as it may seem, I think there is so much truth in that phrase. I was going through a really difficult time awhile back when a dear friend suggested I envision the positive outcome I wanted. When she asked me to do this, I was wrought with negative thoughts and didn't believe that something as simple as thinking positively would make a difference. But by this point, I had tried everything else and decided I didn't have anything to lose (and, at the same time, I might just feel a little better). And, you know, who knows, maybe all of my stars aligned, maybe someone somewhere decided I needed a break, or maybe that positive thinking really paid off, but that outcome I envisioned came true.
I'm sold on positive thinking. For those of you who know what I went through over the past two years know what a struggle it was for me. A normally positive, happy person, I was someone I didn't recognize and though I can't change my past, you can bet I'll be setting positive intentions not only in my yoga classes, but also each day when I wake.
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