Friday, 15 November 2013

When in Doubt: Aim Right

So today I thought it'd be fun to split my legs so far apart that they'd possibly snap! Not sure that was the best idea considering how creative I had to be to get out of the pose. I love manipulating my limbs to extremes. When I push myself physically, the battle between my mind and my body begins. I breathe. I cringe. I keep breathing. The sensation is uncomfortable, but I hang in, or I opt out. It really depends on how I feel on any given day.  Every breath brings a choice - flow or go.
Think about all the choices you've made since you woke up this morning. You chose your outfit, your breakfast, even your attitude. How we choose to flow through each day depends mostly on how we think. The morning might begin ambitious, like the start of a half-marathon. Then a whisper blows through your mind that changes everything. Suddenly, you feel depleted and unmotivated. Your mind has checked your feet outta the race. The next hour will be physically exhausting due to your cruel self-talk that sounds something like this: "You should've stayed in bed"; "Today just isn't your day"; "You're not ready for this"; WTF we you thinking?!"
We're so bombarded by choices that most of the time, we find ourselves debating our decision. I'm at the point in my life where I can't decipher bad choices vs. good ones. I make them and just flow with whatever comes. If I make a 'bad' choice, I believe it'll lead me to another place that could be better.
After spending four days at a yoga conference, surrounded by good vibes and a desire to feel peaceful, I began reflecting on my path. I've made choices that perhaps I wouldn't make today, but the difference between then and now, is my outlook. Today I look in every direction with trust that the arrow I'm drawn to will lead me to the right place. Do you give a lot of your power to your choices? Do you allow them to define you, belittle you, or better you, strengthen you? Think about that.
We all aspire to make the right choice - not good or bad. We're all aiming for something spectacular (perhaps with fireworks and fairy dust), that can only manifest from our unlimited choices. This quote really captures the essence of trusting the good, the bad, the right, the wrong: "An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. When life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means it's just going to launch you into something great." Keep aiming, for eventually you will nail your target. And when you get to that spectacular somewhere, there better be champagne ;)