The difference a week can make! Here we are having cooler autumn weather (DC area). The change in temperature means I am shifting into the Vata Dosha season with my yoga practice. (Go to webpage and learn more about Ayurvedic Doshas under resource information).
I know many friends who are very upset with the world right now. Of course I understand why that is but at the same time I don't recall a time when life was perfect. Did that place ever exist? The ideal was in my head...isn't that what usually happens? Given time our story always starts to filter and we don't remember how it really was. We also long for perfection but the truth is we live in an imperfect world and we will make mistakes. All we have control over is our behavior.
But what is wrong with imperfection? For me when things have fallen apart is just when something new arrives and if I hold on so tight to the past, I will miss the experience ahead of me. Right now so many are experiencing deep states of depression and with this their brain chemicals are responding with chronic stress, depression and anxiety; chronic means something that lasts more than three months. Many don't understand what will help balance and that is where I hope to help. These chemicals are in the brain and by understanding them more you may be able to take action and help find harmony. It is good to study them independently but often they go hand in hand. (I will be going over these more in my public classes and yoga therapy series but be sure to read about one of them below in this newsletter).
Just because science informs us of something doesn't mean that we should end with that. If you think back to any time in history when we allow dogmatic attitudes to take over, we always end up with regret. So we have to use our own assessment, gather facts, be prepared to change and open to new ideas. This isn't easy though if our chemical imbalance prevents us from thinking clearly.
So lets face it, we don't know for sure all there is to know about Covid-19. But what is wrong with NOT knowing everything? Why must everything have proof to motivate our reason for taking action? Some doubt the death tolls related to the pandemic; thinking it is a conspiracy. However I saw a chart from the CDC of the death tolls from the last five years and what they would have expected as a total for 2020. Even with that analysis, the total death toll is much higher in 2020 which would have to mean that there is a reason; even we are uncertain of the cause. We can start there and then without knowing for sure I can go about my day with a bit more awareness that something is changing and learn to adapt; wash my hands more, keep a safe distance, and wear a mask to limit particles in the air.
Just like my yoga practice I can let go of knowing 'why' so much and be reminded of the imperfection of life. We may not know all the answers but what we can do is check our behavior. Right now you may have an idea of how you would feel better. It will be hard at first to make the change so I suggest you start off with making a commitment to it. Even in the moment you plan to do it, be prepared for resistance and tell yourself that you will count-down from 5 to 0 and then rise up.
Now go out and have a good day without a reason. Without a goal or having to know the reason. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.... now "Have a good day for no reason!"
---Paige