Do it ANYWAY.... Stay TRUE

LIFE IS PERSONAL.  

OK Sure..., our life is woven in and out amongst that of our friends, family, work, and all the other different pieces of the puzzle in the flowing stream of our experiences....But underlying all of this is the PERSONAL LIFE of ours: Our Dreams, our Values, our Aspirations, our Morals.  It's these CORE Truths which our own actions and way of living stem from.  If we hold steadfast in our TRUTH, the Authentic Self freely shines.  

But how easily do we get "Distracted"????  Distracted by THAT neighbour; what they're doing; how they responded; how we are judged; how the world didn't 'co-operate' that day; by that inconvenient resistence that  wasn't MEANT to arise; the coulda, woulda shoulda's; and the fear driven 'what ifs'??.  How easily do we veer away from the TRUTH of what each of us ASPIRE to as honest, pure and well-intentioned human beings BECAUSE we're affected by that which is outside of ourselves?  Do we get distracted from persevering to live according to our TRUE Self because of external distractions?

In a recent 'fed up' grovel I was spilling about an incident that just WASN'T meant to happen and put pressure and temptations on me to REACT...... Someone I very much respect and admire responded with....: 'Saya... Just keep being true to your Authentic Self despite it and keep on going.  Simple as that.  See this All as your LIFE PRACTICE'.  How beautiful are those words?....  "LIFE PRACTICE."  I like the feel of those words.

The Way of our LIFE is PERSONAL.... and it's good to ask "do I sway away from my values and who I aspire to be in order to suit the 'everything else?' that's occurring and distracting me?  Rather, it's best to have an unwavering loyalty and strength, in being TRUE to who we have chosen to be in this gorgeous existence we are blessed with.  I have re-visited the below message time and time again and it sums it up pretty nice.  To hold steadfast in honoring one's own SPIRIT...., TRUTH.  To no matter what, remain AUTHENTIC, WHOLESOME and  PURE in how we carry out ourselves in this existence.  The bottom line is, the correct WAY to live, is ultimately between you and the luminous spirit that is your TRUTH within.  Keep honouring it no matter what.

xo

DO IT ANYWAY

People are often unreasonable, irrational and self-centred.  

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.  

Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  

Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  

Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it may never be enough.  

Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  

It was never between you and 'them' anyway.

- Mother Teresa

   

Presence

"Your TRUE home is in the here and now"

"To live in the present moment is a miracle. The miracle is not to walk on water.  The miracle is to walk on the green Earth in the present moment, to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now"

"When you love someone, the best thing you can offer is your PRESENCE.  How can you love if you are not there?"
- Thich Nhat Hanh

WHEREVER you are... BE THERE - right?  But who REALLY does that each and every day?  I'll be right on up first to say when I'm washing the dishes; cuddling the phone to my ear; half peeking at the TV anticipating the start of my show ... there'll most likely be veges roasting in the oven and the bath tub ready to spill over.  Or hey, I could be 'RELAXING' on the couch; magazine spread out next to me;  laptopping it as I skim through work emails, and Food Safari's just started which has my eyes jumping from laptop to tv... to laptop to glossy mag... to... yep... I'll stop right here.

Then there are moments when I REMEMBER the simple yet so HONEST and WISE message underlying just about ALL of my yoga teachers numerous anectodes and quotes he has shared over the years.... and that message is SO simple with so much peace found within it: 

Be TRULY PRESENT and MINDFUL of the Here and Now.  

'Enjoy the Breath' he'd say.  What a concept!  

I used to think being a 'Master Multi-Tasker' was what it was all about.  The words that would ring loud in my ears when I labelled myself as such, equated to 'Succeeding', 'Ambitious', 'Efficient', 'Speedy', .... ALL with BIG and loud Capitals.  A proud, head held up high kind of attitude had me with a spring in my step, without a shadow of a doubt it was one of my key assets.  It's what I saw had me as the 'go to person'.... a 'machine' that could get anything and everything done all at once who anyone could count.

Back then, an automatic 'huh?' would have followed the phrase: 'Stop and ENJOY the breath'

And now... despite still trying to nurse moments where I'm lost doing a million and one things at once holding my breath, with my mind dancing in all different directions somewhere along what I've turned into a laborious timeline, of the past and future piled high with a mental list of what needs DOING......... it still is LIBERATING and BEEEAUTIFUL to have those moments (as short lived as they MAY be sometimes...) where I can catch myself and notice the chaos and just STOP and BE.  It's not about being perfectly consistent at the click of your fingers right?  After all.... ALL of life is just about Being better than you USED to be.

Now I DO actually get it.  To ENJOY the breath.  I've done it!.... and it makes me feel WHOLE and ALIVE, revealing an AUTHENTIC presence of who I am.  Being PRESENT and AWARE of where I am, what I am doing in that single moment or who I am listening to in a conversation or sharing time with, let's me BE there for myself and others with truth and sincerity.  There is so much peace there!

The quote below has been shared numerous times over the years in my yoga classes, and it still rolls around within me in contemplation.... I hope it might stir something new within you too:

When the Dalai Lama was asked about what surprised him most about humanity he replied:

"Man surprised me most about humanity.  Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.  Then he sacrifices his money to recuperate his health.  And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die; and then dies having never really lived"

- Dalai Lama  

xo

Making time for Desiderata

What a week!!  Any others out there who are emotionally and physically EXHAUSTED after a whirlwind week..... running around frantically... unsure about what destination you're chasing but just anxious about getting SOMEWHERE? 

In the midst of such chaotic and heavy times in life,... I love it when in a fleeting moment as you're going about your busy day.... something catches your eye, and you actually LOOK and STOP.  And really appreciate whatever THING it is that caught your eye, because you know without a shadow of a doubt you were MEANT to encounter it at that very moment in your life.

For me this week it was Desiderata......  A plaque displaying this gorgeous poem, peered down at me from the corner of my friend's kitchen cupboard.  I'd never noticed it before on any of my visits to see her until now.  She pulled the plaque down for me, dusted it off and I read it with her then and there.  I thought.... Thank YOU, thank you, THANK YOU.  And even more sweet was her insisting that I take the plaque home with me because she knew I needed it right now.

Then within days I'm back full speed again, going about my frantic days but this time travelling interestate.... and what do I see again sticky taped onto someone's bathroom wall?  Desiderata.

For all the other frantic freaks out there not living in the present moment ... STOP for Desiderata xoxoxo

DESIDERATA

Go Placidly amid the noise & haste & remember what peace there may be in silence.  As far as possible be on good terms with all persons.  Speak your truth quietly & clearly & listen to others, even the dull & ignorant; they too have their story.  Avoid loud & aggressive persons they are vexations to the spirit.  If you compare yourself with others you may become vain & bitter; For always there will be greater & lesser persons... than yourself.  

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.  Keep interested in your own career however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.  Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.  But let this not blind you to what virtue there is.  Many persons strive for high ideals & everywhere life is full of heroism.  

Be yourself.  Especially do not feign affection.  Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity & disenchantment, it is perennial as the grass.  Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.  

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.  But do not distress yourself with imaginings.  Many fears are born of fatigue & loneliness.  Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.  You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars.  You have a right to be here and whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.  

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be & whatever your labours & aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.  With all its sham  & drudgery & broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.  Be careful.  Strive to be happy.

- Max Ehrmann (1927)

The Little Prince & his Rose

I recently revisited Antoine de Saint-Exupery's gorgeous fable that shares the pure and earnest thoughts of a Little Prince from a far away planet, who travels through the universe, making little and big discoveries along the way at different planets he stops over at including Earth.  There are so many sweet messages held in this  famous story .... I hope you get a chance to get whisked away and see the world through the Little Prince's eyes one day too.  Until then, take from this passage whatever you wish... I just felt like sharing a piece of Antoine de Saint-Exupery xo .... 

'I am a geographer,' said the old gentleman.

'What is a geographer?'

A geographer is a learned man who knows where all the seas, rivers, towns, mountains and deserts are located.'

'Now that is interesting,' said the little prince.  'Here is a real profession, at last!'  And he looked around him at the geographer's planet.  Never before had he seen so magnificent a planet.

'It is certainly beautiful, your planet.  Does it have oceans?'

'I can't tell,' said the geographer.

'And mountains?'

'I can't tell,' said the geographer.

'And towns and rivers and deserts?'

'I can't tell you that either,' said the geographer.

'But you're a geographer!'

'Quite so,' said the geographer.  'But I am not an explorer.  I am in dire need of explorers.  It is not the geographer's job to go around counting off the towns, the rivers, the mountains, the seas, the oceans and the deserts.  The geographer is far too important to go sauntering about.  He does not leave his desk.  But there he sits and receives the explorers.'

The geographer suddenly became excited.

'But YOU, for example, you come from far away!  You are an explorer!  You can describe your planet to me!'

And opening his register, the geographer began to sharpen his pencil.  

'Well?' said the geographer expectantly.

'Oh, where I come from is not very interesting,' said the little prince.  'Everything is so small.  I have three volcanoes.  Two are active and the third extinct.  I also have a flower.'

'We do not take note of flowers,' said the geographer.

'Whyever not!  They're prettier than everything else!'

'Because flowers are ephemeral.'

'What does "ephemeral" mean?'

'Geography books,' said the geographer, 'are the most precious of all books.  They never go out of date.  It is very rare for a mountain to change position.  It is very rare for an ocean to be emptied of its water.  We record what is ETERNAL.'

'But what does "ephemeral" mean?' repeated the little prince.

'It means: "that which is threatened with impending death".'

'My flower is threatened with impending death?'

'Certainly'

'My flower is ephemeral,' the little prince said to himself, 'and she has only four thorns to defend herself against the world!  And I have left her all alone on my planet!'

It was his first impulse of regret.  But he took heart again.

'What do you recommend me to visit next?' he asked.

'The planet Earth, replied the geographer.  'It has a good reputation....'

And the little prince went away, thinking of his flower.

Then Later on Earth.......

'Where you come from,' said the little prince, 'people grow five thousand roses in one garden - and still they do not find what they are looking for.'

'No, they do not find it,' I replied.

'Yet what they are looking for could be found in a single rose'.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery The Little Prince Penguin Group, London, United Kingdom

The Still Point of Balance....in 3 Legged Dog Pose

The truth is.... Me, 3 legged Dog Pose and the word "STILL".... Rarely connect in the midst of this tough twist.  I'm having a continuous struggle between the WANT of twisting and turning my head and heart outwards  to face the water... and the CAUTION to halt and remain within a comfort zone where I KNOW for certain that I won't topple over.  

As beautiful as this photo is... it doesn't capture the truth of my body in that moment.  It hides the arm shakes, the twitching bent leg and the random pulses of my torso trying to turn just a little bit more towards the sky but faltering back and forth.  And then there's the shallow and inconsistent breaths that have no idea of what rhythm to follow.

I'm finally at a point in my practice where I can atleast capture short, split seconds when my feet and hands are firmly planted on the ground and there IS no movement.  But those split second moments come so randomly and swiftly and leave just as quickly.... But with practice and patience I'm hoping I'll find them more enduring.  Enduring moments that last long enough to bask in Stillness' bliss and let go of anticipating the next shake, twist or tumble.  And just maybe ONE DAY, I can keep that Still Point of Balance for as long as I choose to.

But until then... a wise old owl is telling me, "Don't place unnecessary pressure on yourself as to the 'When' of things.  It's all about the effort that goes in.  The when is not up to us, but we can move diligently in the right direction and perhaps one day we look around and we're already there." xo Any other Super Eager 'I WANT IT NOW' people who could do with embracing these words?  I'm LEARNING as I hope you are.   And even if it's by way of LITTLE baby steps.. that, I think is BIG in itself xo Just BE, Just Practice and ONE DAY it will happen whenever it's meant to.