Going Nowhere Fast

As I've been driving around lately, I notice alot of people in a big hurry.

I'm fortunate to not have to do much driving on interstate highways anymore, so my daily travels take me mostly through residential neighborhoods, business areas, country roads & two-lane highways.

As I'm driving along, at or around the speed limit, a car will suddenly come zipping up behind me, tailgate me only until the driver can pass me & continue hurrying along.  Sometimes I get passed where it's legal, other times - where it's not.  And if I happen to be on a stretch of road with a travel lane & passing lane - I'm almost always in the travel lane getting passed. 

Funny thing happens though...a 1/4 or 1/2 mile up the road, I often find myself at a stoplight, behind the car that passed me.  We get to the same place at the same time.  It's in the getting there that we have very different experiences.


And I know this, because I used to be that driver always in a hurry.  Cruising along, pulling up behind that car going "too slow".  So I imagine the inner dialog of the driver behind me going something like this:

"Are you kidding me?!? Is she really going to drive this slow?  Does she know that she's in my way?!  Doe she have any idea how crazy this makes me?!?  This is ridiculous! She should get out of  my way.  She is totally pissing me off!"...and so on, until the driver can pass me....and then get stuck at a red light or behind another car.

Meanwhile, I'm driving along, enjoying myself.  Taking in the scenery, the weather, enjoying my drive as much as I can.  I'm not trying to agitate anyone.

The other driver does that all by himself (or herself).  In the moment that driver comes up behind me, he has a choice...to slow down & enjoy the ride.  Or succumb to frustration, anger & animosity.  No one is doing anything to him.  He's all on his own.  And in those moments of frustration & anger - there's no joy.

We're on the same road...we even arrive at the same place at almost the same time. But our journeys are very different.

And really, it's a metaphor for life, right?  Who is really doing what to you?  Who is really responsible for making you angry?  Who is really responsible for for making you frustrated?  Most of the time...it's just you.  Not anyone else.  We're all on a journey - it's a choice.  What do you want your jourey to be like?

You have that choice.  To keep rushing along, pissed off at everyone who "gets in your way", passing them as you go.  Missing out on the scenery.  Missing out on joy.

Or you can slow down & enjoy the ride.  Practice breathing & staying calm when you find someone (or something) blocking your way.  Finding joy whenever & wherever you can.

And either way - I'll see you at the stoplight.

When do you do yoga?

The other day in the studio, one of my students asked "when do you get to do yoga?".

I teach class at Sanctuary Power Yoga 6 days a week & I love it. And I love to take class in the studio with the other, wonderful teachers. And I love to practice in the beautiful space that does feel like a sanctuary.

But when I'm not teaching, I want to be with my family. So for the most part, I throw my yoga mat down on the floor at home & let my son watch one of his programs while I take myself through a physical practice.

Every time I get on my mat, I focus on creating the practice that I need that day.  Some days it's fast & very physical.  Other days, it gentle & nurturing.  Some times, it's a long flow. Other says, only a few minutes to clear out & reset.  Most times, I read my affirmations & inspirational quotes as I practice.  And every time, it's a meditation in motion.  And because I'm with my family - I love it.

Some days, in the middle of my flow, our son interrupts me for something he needs, or just to talk.  And that's part of my practice too.  If I feel myself getting frustrated because he's interrupting my practice I remind myself of what yoga is really about. 

It's about love, compassion, breathing, staying calm & finding joy.  It asks for our continued commitment & devotion, in spite of interruptions. 

So when I start to feel frustrated, I remind myself to really practice yoga.  To find the joy in the silliness of what my son has to say.  Or compassion by giving him the help he needs.  And then the commitment to get back on my mat & refocus & continue.

And all of that helps me remember to continue my yoga practice after I get off my mat, with all the people & situations I encounter as I move through the rest of my day. 

So the answer to the question "when do you do  yoga?" or better yet "how do find the time to do yoga?"....Mostly, I practice yoga (the asanas) on my mat at home.  But always, I'm trying to practice my yoga everywhere I go & everything I do.  And I hope to inspire others to do same.

You can now find my blog at the Register Citizen: http:http://www.registercitizen.com/blogs/life/

Choices

My brother has an allergy to some foods.  Not deadly allergies, thank goodness.  But a few foods, that when he eats them, he just feels really sick & lousy.  Sometimes he says he "can't" eat them.  More often, he says he chooses not to eat them.  He chooses, instead, to feel better.

I also have a food allergy - a food that I absolutely can't eat.  But then I have those foods that I know I shouldn't eat.  When I avoid them, I just feel better.  Most of us experience this with one food or another.

And yet, I sometimes choose those not-so-good foods.  I eat them, and feel lousy.

And then wonder why I made that choice.  Why I didn't instead choose better food & feeling better.

You know the choice...between fast food & fresh food, say.  The fast food is kind of fun & yummy going down.  But afterwards, it doesn't feel so good.  The fresh food - leaves you feeling fresh & light.

It's similar with thinking.  For some reason, we more often choose to think & talk about the negative. Just look at the evening news...not alot of love & light there.

When everyone is standing around gossiping, it can feel kind of fun & exciting to be part of that.  You feel included & almost like you're acquiring some special information.  But afterwards, it doesn't usually feel good.  Especially if you said some not-so-nice things about someone.

When you have that choice, to think or speak or act in a way that isn't positive...pause for a moment.  How do you want to feel?  We all want to feel good...in the moment & later.  Choose to feel good.  To feel better.  Say to yourself " I am full of love & kindness.  I accept only loving & kind thoughts.  I act & speak in a loving & kind way.  And I attract to me others who are filled with love & kindness".

This is the beginning of choosing to feel better.  That, and fresh food:)

You can now find my blog at the Register Citizen: http:http://www.registercitizen.com/blogs/life/