Each morning on my early morning run, I consider myself one of the fortunate to be out in nature before most of the world is even awake and I almost always breathe a sense of relief and gratitude for my time alone with my self and with nature. Last Thursday, I noticed that everything was blossoming and temperatures were on the rise. This is the time of year that I usually feel renewed and a sense of hope. Last Thursday, hope and renewal were hidden behind the face of sadness and fear.
This past week my family has been facing difficult and heart wrenching times as one of my nephews was diagnosed with lymphoma that is both aggressive and rampant in his bones and marrow. The lymphoma seemed to have developed overnight. The good news is that we have come together as a family to support him and his parents in every way. The best news is that the doctors believe that this is curable. But the treatment is painful with intense chemo beginning for my nephew on Monday.
Last week before we knew all the facts, my mind had spiraled into a scary place, thinking the worse and with each hour, I could feel despair growing like a weed inside of me. Last week, during one of my panic stricken moments, my good friend, who is not a yoga person but is a cancer survivor, gave me the best advice and it has been her words that have grounded me since.
She told me to "be in the moment," to not go forward into the present or back to the past. These were the words of a wise woman and these words echo the yoga practice I have been committed to for 10 years. They were words I could hang on to and bring me solace. To be in present moment awareness is both comforting and truthful. It keeps us from spiraling into "what if" or "what could be" or into "who is to blame." Being in the moment keeps us in reality and it also fosters a deep appreciation for each moment. In the present situation the practice of "being in the moment" allows me to step into my best self and help my nephew and his parents from a place of calmness and love.
Since the news, my life is changed. Each morning when I wake up and during every mountain pose I practice, I bring my hands to my heart and I set my intention to "be in the moment." I now recognize that this is the path I need to be on for the time being. Each moment, whether it is with my nephew, his mother, my mother, my partner, my children, my students or my friends is a gift not to be tainted with fear. I would rather be fully present, honest, and relaxed that anxious and scared. To be able to hold an intention for myself each day is one of the teachings that yoga has to offer. Creating an intention for ourselves does not mean we will be perfect, instead it means to keep coming back to our intentions over and over again and eventually our road will go that way.
Intentions have great power. We all get off track or, as in my case, have crisis that throw us off track and we lose the path we want to be on. As yogis, we learn to keep coming back to our intention. Here are some sample intentions, but the best way to set an intention is to listen to your own heart and what it yearns for.
Today I will practice generosity.
I will be more patient with
I will notice my feelings and try to feel my feelings instead of pushing them away.
I will listen to other points of view without trying to push my own agenda.
I will respond lovingly when others are upset.
I will remember to stop at moments throughout the day, breathe deeply, and relax every part of my body.
Today I will focus on the blessings in my life.
Respectfully,
Anne Falkowski
No comments:
Post a Comment