10 Lessons to Love Life
Jun 21, 2024
Life can be tricky and troubling. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed with stress and anxiety. When we get perspective and feel calm and connected, we can be of service in the world.
Sometime when this happens to me, I write a list of reminders to myself and I though you would like to read one of my lists.
One item not on this list is my yoga practice. For me this is a given. Six days a week, my yoga practice reminds me what is important. This reminders work for me, because my practice keeps me calm and connected. If you are ready to start (online or in person) click here.
1. You are not responsible for other people’s happiness.
I am sorry about the cliché – but truly happiness is an inside job. Yes, we need to work hard to overcome racisim, homophobia, and violence in all its forms. But you can’t MAKE other people happy. Also, no one is coming to save you. That is why we teaching empowering classes, so you can help yourself.
2. Bearing witness to another’s journey is a privilege.
Being present to another person’s journey, bearing witness and being present in their life is a privilege. To know someone with that sort of intimacy is indeed a gift, remember to treasure it. Vulnerability is where connection exists, allowing yourself to be seen and seeing others in all their complexity, with love.
3. You don’t have the power to take away anyone’s pain
Bearing witness can be very hard. Pain, sorrow, grief, loneliness are part of the human experience. To know love, joy and playfulness, we must know sorrow. You can’t take the pain away, that is not your job. But you can bear witness to the journey and help with the skills you have.
4. Everyone needs to do their own work
You can’t make other people “do the work”. Everyone learns and grows in their own way, they can’t be rushed. This can be hard. Ultimately you don’t get to choose when or how people “do the work” or if the whole “doing the work” thing is realistic or helpful for them right now (or ever).
5. Worry less of what others think of you
Life is fleeting, do you really want to spend it worrying what other people think? Too often we make decisions and life choices based on false notions of what other people are thinking. We try to mind read then make decisions. Trust yourself. Living a life based on other people’s expectations is a recipe for dissatisfaction and burnout.
6. Don’t hold back.
Life is short, tell people how you feel. Take risks, tell people you love them. Try new things, have adventures. Love your body.
7. Spend more time amongst the trees, allow them to become your teachers.
Trees have blossomed and endured many storms and still grow towards the light.
The trees and rocks can be part of our healing. Trees have been here a hundreds years longer than us, rocks millions of years. It is that sort of groundedness that will get you through the hard times. Seek solace in nature (and maybe consider our silent retreat in the forrest?)
8. Drink lots of water, eat fresh fruit that is in season, grow your own food and be grateful for the abundance this earth provides.
Eating food you have grown is one of life’s pleasures. Feeling connected to the rhythms of the seasons brings an immense groundedness. Nourishing your body with local whole foods, eat real pasta rather than that low carb stuff, allow food to bring you pleasure.
9. Be ok with not knowing, you don’t need to have it all figured out.
I remember when I was 19 I had the immense realisation that not all questions have answers. Be a work in progress, allow it to feel a little messy sometimes, you don’t always need to be in control.
10. Boundaries: people who love you will celebrate them
Without boundaries life can become exhausting (read the essential why and how of Boundaries here). People, work, social situations can be nourishing and they can also be toxic. Be aware of when you are ‘setting yourself on fire’ to keep others warm. Step away from situations wherein there is little or no reciprocity over the years. Boundaries give you energy to be present in life and be of service to the world.
My yoga practice helps me embody these lessons. You can practice with us online from anywhere in the world, we would love to meet you. Find out more about our online and in person options.
