Freelancing to Freedom

“Life exists only at this very moment, and in this moment it is infinite and eternal, for the present moment is infinitely small; before we can measure it, it has gone, and yet it exists forever.” – Alan Watts

Last week, for the first time in about a year, I got sick. Ugh. Despite my best efforts to thwart it, the winter cold caught up with me. As I was feeling rather run-down, I didn’t make it to yoga for a few days – I knew I had to reserve my energy for the busy month ahead.

But even knowing I needed to look after myself, I couldn’t help freaking out and beating myself up about not making it to class. “How could you let yourself get sick? You need yoga in your life! Now you’ve gotten your year off on the wrong foot.” This mindset, of course, is totally opposite to the whole yoga philosophy, which encourages self-compassion.

Near the end of the week, I ran out to do some errands. I was feeling stressed out and caught up in my own thoughts about not making it to yoga class that day. And then, totally unexpectedly, I had one of those wonderful moments of clarity, an “aha moment,” if you will. I remembered the words of one my instructors: “Yoga isn’t just something you practice on your mat. It’s something you live. It’s a way of life.”

I was suddenly very mindful of the present moment, and in that instant, everything looked different. As I walked down the street I took notice of everything – the colours, the smells, how good it felt to be outside just walking around. I had a moment of meditation in the middle of a hectic morning. I stopped my negative train of thought in its tracks.

Being forced to step away from my typical meditative space helped me realize that any moment can be a space for peace and meditation if we are mindful and present. Simply exist and appreciate each moment for what it is.

Where can you find a moment of peace this week?

Song of the week: “Cough Syrup” – Young the Giant

Namaste 🙂

Rachel

A moment of meditation with one of my favourite people 🙂