Last week I went home for a cousin’s wedding. The ceremony was beautiful, and the reception was exquisitely extravagant, but the most stunning part of the whole night was watching the two of them. They are the epitome of love. Every once in awhile you meet a couple that just exudes love, and that’s how they are. I found it fascinating to watch them, the glances they stole throughout the night, the silent conversations between their eyes, and couldn’t help but be filled with hope. It’s an unconditional, genuine love like theirs that reminds me of all of the good in the world, the kind of love where once you witness it firsthand, you carry it with you. It’s contagious, and you watch them and can’t help but smile and fall a little bit more in love with the beautiful things in life.
The “twenties” ages are an exciting time, and gosh so full of changes. It’s like a crash course sometimes. They can be confusing, exhilarating, carefree, and sometimes a little stressful. But at the end of the day, the worries of what will be can be melted, and beholding an extraordinary love gives me a peaceful easy feeling.
And speaking of changes, there are a lot coming up. Several people I know might be moving, classes are going to start (and apparently the structure of the program is being changed, too), etc.
I’ve been trying to more deeply harness my yogic lessons that I’ve learned on the mat and utilize them in every day life. This came in quite handy on Friday, when I went to a cheap-o dentist to get four cavities filled, and he needed to use EIGHT shots of Novocain to numb me (and also started drilling before I was numb. Twice.)….but I found my breathing techniques really helped. There are times in class when I haven’t eaten enough, or I’m really tired, or just not feeling up to the challenge, and I will be holding a very painful asana (pose) for what feels like an eternity. I start to fight it…thinking up curse words in my head, my eyes bulging and internally screaming for my instructor to please please PLEASE say those words I’m longing to hear: “Release the pose.” But then I stop swimming against the current, and I remember to float. I breathe. I focus on my mantra or whatever my dedication is for that day’s practice….and I know it will pass. And I will survive. Learning to control your reaction to a challenge, whether it be a painful dentist visit, or a muscle-clenching long-held asana, or a fight with a friend, or the World’s Most Boring seminar, can really change the way the rest of your day pans out. “Fight or flight” are not your only two coping options.
I love this song/video. Brazilian cover of "Changes. "
Enjoy. :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvhGvxuOREw
