we are meant to shine
As I walked in the woods this morning before class, a deep exhale breath easily took me to a place of deep sadness. For just a moment. I kept walking and kept breathing. Then I took another big breath in and believe it or not, something Nelson Mandella said, came into my mind.
“Who are we not to shine?”
Who are we not to be our very best self?
We’re here for that...here to grow into our very best self and carry that self out into the world.
No matter what the situation is...no matter how dire, or challenging, no matter how joyful, all that is required is that we show up as our best self. There are things swirling around me, heavy things, challenging things and heartbreaking things. I believe most people can say this. We question the best way to help or support or forgive or show up for someone else. Maybe we even think we don’t have the right to be joyful when another is suffering. I can worry and stew and talk endlessly with whomever will listen to my concerns and my problems. Sometimes. that is what is needed but sometimes what is needed more... is taking one step towards my own health.
How do we take care of our bodies and our spirits when faced with a busy life and all of it’s challenges? How do we love ourselves...because it is in those practices that we find the strength and courage and capacity for being our best. How do I fill my spirit and care for my body so that I show up as my best self. What brings me to my true north, to my own center? It’s not a thing someone else can do for me or bring me to. I believe it is what we are here to learn.
Filling our spirit allows us to shine it out into the world.
Through our yoga practice, the intelligence of our minds connects with, is infused with and joins the wisdom of our bodies. Our bodies contain the wisdom of the forest, the beauty of a sunrise, the peace of a summer evening. It is this force, this power that we find on our mats. In the presence of millions of miracles contained in our bodies, we are grounded in truth.
In the end, that’s actually all that I have control over.
We are here to shine.
