Wednesday, July 11, 2012

How yoga is helping me accept what I can't change and to be okay with it

I know! Who would have thunk it? Not only did I try yoga, but after a week I'm addicted to it. I never imagined that I would be able to even get into some of those poses that make a human look like Gumby gone pretzel. Imagine my shock when I found myself not only doing the poses, but holding them for long periods. My fibro has never felt better, either.

One thing I really, really didn't expect was how good yoga was for the mind. I am going through some issues now, and I feel that yoga will help me navigate them--no, better yet, it will teach me to engage the problems and beat them. It even gave me the courage to admit to a very dear friend a serious issue I'm going through. It took a lot of courage to reach out for help, but I finally dug down deep and did it.

In one of my classes the instructor asked us what we needed to feel really complete, happy and safe. She then followed this up, by gently reminding us to not make our needs what some have termed first-world problems. For if we have food, shelter, clean water and clothing, we are already doing so much better than a large portion of the word. So, she asked us to dig in deeper than the material things and to ask, "What do I need emotionally to make me the best person I can be?"

I decided to take this project on in several steps. Since I feel anger is often our biggest roadblocks to true bliss, I think we need to acknowledge what makes us angry. I'll start by listing some of mine:

I hate that my daughter had to change schools, because the bullies chased her away from her old one.

I hate that the world treats my son like a second class citizen.

I hate that people use religion (whatever denomination it may be) to promote hate and to try to control others.

I hate that I lost an aunt due to her bigotry. What's more, I hate that I can't hate her for it, even though she hurt my son so badly.

I hated the times when I was a paramedic and I would come across neglected or abused children.

I hate that when my best friend suffered a very personal, devastating loss, people weren't sympathetic. Just as I hate that this incident still makes her cry--to be honest I weep over it, too.

I hate that I have to live every day of my life in pain because of fibro.

I hate that certain people continue to lie and bully others and gets away with it. When exactly does karma kick in?

I hate that two other dear friends of mine are going through really tough times. I also hate that they both live too far away for me to give them a hug.

I hate that my grandfather still has trouble discussing the day his ship sank during WWII. He lost so many friends that day.

I hate that my Grandmother Bucholz died, just as we were finally getting close. She liked to write and I hope that she would have been proud of me.

This is just a short list, but by writing them out and sharing them, it gives me power over them. If you want to share you own list, feel free to do so in the comments. If it's too personal for you, that's okay too. Just write them down on a piece of paper in your own home.

I think maybe I will share more of these posts with you as I go along this journey to healing. Until then-Namaste

Since, I always like to leave things on a light note, here is a funny video I found. It has nothing to do with this topic, but we can always use a good laugh.



4 comments:

  1. One day we will live in a world that isn't full of hate and pain. I hope i'm alive to see it.

    Hope yoga continues to help you physically and mentally :)

    Jess

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  2. Thanks, Jess. I can't wait for that day to come. We are all the same on the inside and I wish more people realized that.

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  3. I love how much love, hope and faith you can give simply by writing your stories.
    Thank you and best wishes for your family :)

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  4. Thank you so much, that is a wonderful thing to say. I wish the best to you and your family as well. *hugs*

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