Day 310 Intention ~ Change Perspective

Day 310 Intention ~ Change Perspective

It is the American way to think about having to go to work and feeling some dread. "I don't want to go to work!" Getting a bad attitude about it. Almost deciding before going that it is going to be a negative experience. 

I get to do what I love for a living (even in my side jobs ~ yes, I am lucky I know), but when the weather starts to turn cold and the darkness falls on the day much earlier, I sometimes dread going to "work". For me, it's more of an actually leaving the house type of scenario rather than doing the work. 

When I feel this way, I think about my students. I think of them looking forward to their yoga class, just like I do when I am going to class. If I go in with a bad attitude about it or not really wanting to be there, they can tell. That isn't how I want them to feel in a class that is supposed to relax, calm & empower them! So, usually, if I put myself in their shoes and look at it from their perspective, I am motivated again. 

It's all about perspective. How do you look at things? Do you look at the pile of the dishes as an unwanted extra chore or do you think about the delicious meal you got to enjoy while dirtying those dishes? Finding some gratitude for the meal may change the perspective on the clean up. 

Do you get angry when the person in the car in front of you doesn't bolt off as soon as the light changes or do you see it as a moment to enjoy another breath or the view? 

Do you dread when your yoga teacher tries to challenge you in a pose that may scare you a little bit or do you see it as a chance to grow & build strength in body and mind? 

When you find yourself reacting negatively to something, try to change you attitude and perspective on it. You may just realize that it isn't as bad as you think. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 287 Intention ~ Give The Benefit Of The Doubt

Day 287 Intention ~ Give The Benefit Of The Doubt

We live in a pretty pessimistic society. We tend to be suspicious of people's intentions. And, unfortunately, we assume the worst. 

When someone is impatient at the grocery store line or displaying signs of road rage, it's important to realize that they must have something else going on in their lives that is upsetting them. Sometimes their actions create a reaction in us that we assume they are just an *sshole. Maybe they are, but more than likely, there is something just upsetting their balance.

I have personally read how people write emails or post status' on social media, etc. and read it in as an angry or snide conversation or statement when that wasn't how it was meant at all. Why did I just assume the worst? 

Today, give people the benefit of the doubt. I talk about living with love and an open heart a lot in my classes and elsewhere...but we can't do that if we assume the worst in them. It's time to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. 

I have a feeling it will be a very positive day!

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 285 Intention ~ Accept Impermanence

Day 285 Intention ~ Accept Impermanence

Things are in a constant state of change...that is one constant we can depend on. It is a lesson of yoga to learn to accept the now and not get attached to it because it is all impermanent. I am sure that seeing an old friend in the past week is what sparked my attention to past things, silly arguments I've had or just longing for younger days and friends. 

Through this, some old negative emotions have risen through all of this and it is silly. I know that these feelings are silly to dwell on, but yet, I still let certain things bother me. I need to let go. These past things are not really affecting the here and so fleeting now, except for my pain in my heart or gut about them. It's silly. They are over. These situations are long gone, but I sparked them back to life...in my mind. 

The truth is, every moment is gone in a snap. Try to enjoy them, don't attach to them. If you stopped and really found stillness in the right here, right now, it wouldn't seem so bad. Not dwelling on the past, not worrying about the future. Just being here in the moment...and then it is gone. 

Nothing is permanent. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 259 Intention ~ Get Positive

Day 259 Intention ~ Get Positive

Monday morning. Some mornings just have a more gloomy factor to them than others. For me, this morning is one of those. Why? Not sure. Mondays really don't make too much difference to me since I work pretty much every day of the week. The sun is even peeking out through the clouds. 

So what's the problem here? 

My attitude. I need to get positive and know it's going to be a good day...if I decide to make it that way. In the Yoga Sutras it reads, "When transgressions hinder, the weight of the imagination should be thrown to the other side." A.k.a., change your attitude. Make the negative energy positive. 

Still working on it for today, but I am getting there. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 227 Intention ~ Turn Negative Thoughts Around

Day 227 Intention ~ Turn Negative Thoughts Around

It's a general attitude for life and how you accept its ups and downs. I really try to make this a daily mantra for myself to keep from getting caught up in the whole domino effect that is negativity. 

Something is bound to happen each and every day that isn't exactly what you thought or wanted to have happen...right? If this is not your life, then kudos to you, it must be nice! 

But wait! It can be you, all by your attitude.

Take the swaha, so it is or so it goes, attitude and things won't seem so bad and you may just have that perfect (for you) day. 

Part of this is turning what could be perceived as a negative into a positive. 

For instance, twice today, things did not happen as I thought they would. I have a class in Little Italy on Thursdays at noon. This weekend is the Feast of the Assumption in that neighborhood. Tons of people, blocked off roads, and definitely nowhere close to park. In the past this hasn't affected that class...but this year, the parade was going right through it. I parked a mile away and started the trudge down the hill knowing that I was going to be late if anyone actually made it through there. 

Now, the fact that yoga classes slow down in the summer, I rely especially on my regulars and teaching my classes. So, of course, with my class not happening this afternoon. (I arrived about 10 minutes late and no one was there anyhow.) I walked back down the road and actually got to witness the parade which I have never seen before. So, that was pretty cool. 

Again this evening, one of my more popular classes only had one student. Of course, I get paid per head for this class, so it was not my biggest moneymaker, but as we went through class, I got to talk with my student and get to know what asanas work for her and what adjustments and modifications she could use in future classes too. Now, I do do this in a class with more people, but when it's one on one, it's nice for the student to get more of an explanation and more personal attention. So, although it wasn't my busiest class, I feel like I will be able to teach with a better understanding of this student in the future = positive thing!

So, when you feel like something bad or negative is happening to you, turn it around. Figure out what you are learning from the experience and make it a positive. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia

Day 65 Intention ~ Start Fresh

Day 65 Intention ~ Start Fresh

Wipe the slate clean. Now, I'm not talking about removing everything from your life, just letting today be a new day. 

When we hold onto things so tightly whether it be emotions, work, certain situations or even other people, we get stuck. We wallow in the past and that leaves us stranded...emotionally and mentally. If we do that for too long, we will also start to see physical repercussions, like back aches, tight shoulders, headaches, even laziness or overeating (or not eating enough)...the list goes on and on. 

So, remember that each day is a new day. Try to wipe the slate clean and give yourself a chance to thrive, live and love! We all deserve that chance. 

Yesterday, I was feeling physically drained, mentally stressed and overworked and just plain tired. This led to me creating a "poor me" situation in my head and feeling like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. I ate a healthy meal, went to bed a decent hour and lo and behold, today is like a new dawn!

If you are feeling tired, overworked, stressed, angry, sad, lazy or negative...stop and try to see what you may be holding onto that you don't need anymore. How can you let it go? What has changed in your routine? Diet? Exercise? 

Go to a yoga class, take a run, drink water, eat something healthy and definitely try to get at least 7 hours of sleep. 

My guess is that you will feel like you've wiped the slate clean and can start the new day fresh. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia