Statistically speaking, within the second week of January, approximately on January 12th, the New Year's Resolution adrenaline weakens for 80% of the population ; not even a full two weeks, and humans are no longer motivated. Imagine if nature also decided to just give up? Where would the cycle of life begin/end?
I believe we have all phased through the habit of picking something up, letting it interest us for a period of time, then dropping it according to the circumstances or the stories we tell ourselves about the process of these new habits. We might become disinterested or we lower its ranking on our long book of priorities and promises [To-Do Lists & Ways of Being/Existing in this lifetime]; I am not stating the quality of the habit, rather, I want to focus on energetically staying motivated as I alchemize these habits into new, positive patterns of my Being. NOTE, this requires frequent reminders! It is an everyday practice, and when it cycles back, it is a test!
My shadow is indecisiveness, and with the indecisiveness, I get motivation from little ideas, yet, I get overwhelmed and struggling choosing 'the path', knowing that opportunities are everywhere! However, I am choosing to shine the light on this shadow- and that is my intention for this new year.
I will shine the light on all of my shadows so that they no longer exist.
To work on these personal shadows means accepting the work that it may require to manifest the ideas, fantasies, dreams, goals, desires.
In a world where we could snap our fingers and in that instant attain our desires, how satisfied would we be, knowing it was an effortless action? This is why some things feel like they take a life-time. Or the famous question of "when will I see results?"; "How long does it take to achieve ____ asana?"; Well, how much effort are you giving it?!?!
This becomes a taoist concept; put in a little effort, yet don't force anything. I get stuck on these shades of grey, yet I want to flow through the colors.
Nowadays, you can ask and choose to follow advice from chat GPT, but also consider the path of confronting your own disbeliefs [shadows] and alchemizing them into truths- depending on how badly you desire it. Change your thoughts, change your reality- even if it means hard conversations with yourself and your surroundings.
The only way in is through; you don't know what you don't know, but when you know, do you act on the knowing? It could be a self-sabotaging play, a hard pill to swallow. When everything we are is everything we create- yet we enjoy torturing ourselves with the cognitive dissonance and the inability to to find peace in the unknown. We add more chaos to this glitch in our center being and our once known path, gets disrupted with insanity.
Do you choose to be joy? Do you choose to be love? Do you choose to honor your highest sense of Being?
Trippy, to say the least, everything in this life is a choice and takes some effort. I can choose to follow a step-by-step creation, knowing that regardless it will play accordingly; or I can let my mind wander off and hope that all desires are attained organically, knowing that impermanence is a friend and a foe. I cannot say either one is right or wrong, all I know is balance and the hardships that may come with juggling that.
The juggle may be between the mind and the heart and the gut and the hips and the throat.. well, all of it truly. Our seven main energy centers, our chakras, are not mythical concepts, rather, they represent some truths to the functioning of our present being; I recommend this book to all who are interested in the psychology of the chakras: Eastern Body, Western Mind {click book title to learn more}.
If something is physically out of balance within our vessel, we will feel its effect in different physical parts of our bodies; but if we meditate and go inwards, we might find a medicinal answer, that comes from the source itself [us]!
Onwards, on 12/20, a few weeks ago, I went to a metaphysical shop in Charlotte, and as I explored inside, I heard a conversation between customer and employee - I'm unsure who was who. One comments to the other how no matter what, they will always be smiling. Having a happy day? Smiling with Joy. Having a sad/bad day? Smiling with Joy.
That takes quite some effort, to say the least, but I understand the devotion to holding a smile with genuinity.
In closing, 'Tis the season to retrograde within. This means revisit, re-identify, re-analyze, re-fresh, re-organize, and re-charge. This is a contemplative time as we rebuild what we choose to prioritize. YOU YOU YOU. You first, because in simple terms, we are what we create. Anything you are in this moment will echo into existence, so put a little effort into it!
New Year Contemplations & Redirections:
Conscious, Healthy Mind
Conscious, Healthy Body
Discipline to the Practice
Conscious, Healthy Mind
I am what I eat.
I am what I drink.
I am what I hear.
I am what I speak.
I am what I move.
I am what I read.
I am what I see.
I am what I think.
I am _________.
So I choose wisely.
Knowing and applying your authentic forms of therapy are valuable ways to develop a conscious healthy mind.Â
Therefore, I want to occupy my time and thoughts with all that fills me up, knowing that it is healthy for me.
Contemplations:
What are the tools that help me ground or center and how frequently should I apply them?
What therapeutic techniques will support my day-to-day mental health well-being?
In case you need a few ideas, knowing we use our senses to interact with the world, we can also use our senses to create a healthy peace of mind. These are some of my personal, grounding and therapeutic tricks:
I like to listen to relatable podcasts or audiobooks whenever I need a different perspective on a topic that has me overthinking;
I like to watch & observe nature whenever my eyes have been glued too long to a screen.
I like to pet my dog or touch a tree whenever I need to recharge my energy.
I like to light an incense after cleaning or before meditation so that I smell clarity.
I like to eat chocolate as my way of pleasing my taste buds and my heart.
Conscious, Healthy Body
This body, this temple, this vessel needs to be treated with conscious support. It is not a big ask or an impossible task, but our bodies require maintenance in the forms of movement, nourishment, and rest.
Contemplations:
What are my favorite forms of movement?
How does the food I eat affect my energy levels in present day and even three days later?
How 'restful' is my sleep? Do I wake up energized or fatigued?
Going on walks, jumping rope, lifting weights, swimming, and of course, YOGA, all contribute to my physical well-being. Though every day the movement may be different, (dancing in the kitchen DEFINITELY counts), I attune my exercise/training to what my physical body desires the day of. This may be hard for all of us to keep up with, but if you listen closely, the body tells you what it needs. Conscious, mindful movement is essential to keeping a strong, flexible and mobile body.
My eating habits have a shadow to them, but I justify each time with using the word 'balance'. My belief is that the key to an internal, healthy body is balance. Several years back, I joined in on a January Sugar Detox group, and I have been doing it willingly every year since. This usually sets me up for the rest of the year to minimize my consumption of sugar, (though I slightly surpass my own thresholds at times). I strongly encourage myself and everyone to intuitively and logically eat. Too much of something is bad for you, not enough of something, is also bad for you- find the balance and diet accordingly.
Naturally, I am a night owl. I do not come from parents that assumed I would be fast asleep as soon as they told me to go to bed, nor did I enjoy waking up early the next day (if I had to). I acknowledge the importance of sleep, and if I had to write an article on what's in this year, and out from last, it is definitely the saying "I'll sleep when I'm dead". I value sleep, I value the amount of work my body does while I am on sleep mode in order to help me live another full day.
Note, these are simple, key ingredients to keeping a conscious, healthy body. Other forms of movement may be receiving thai yoga, taking adequate supplements as nourishment, and resting in silent meditation.
Discipline to the Practice
Be Present and Be love. I don't think I have to explain this one too much. This naturally occurs when we keep the practice of meditation to create wholeness and unity within, causing an everlasting joy for all that is this life.
Trust the Self. If you don't trust yourself, you are denying yourself the experience of life. The opportunity is not in knowing where something can lead you to, but in learning to trust the lesson or blessing that will arise from it. Trust that the Self is capable of making wise decisions and let fate take the lead when necessary.
Check out to check within, Mental Health resets. This isn't just about the yoga practice and meditation, but truly, take mental rests, resets, and realign. It will be just as hard to ask off of work in two months vs now. It can be something as simple as exploring a new coffee shop, or changing the ambiance for the week; and according to me, the most important - turning off your alarm clock! Mental Health Resets is a vacation for the mind, try to enjoy sleeping in.
Surrender. Detach yourself to the outcome, knowing all you manifest is all that you put your creative efforts into.
For aspirants who want to climb the mountain of spiritual awareness, the path is selfless work; for those who have ascended to yoga the path is stillness and peace. When you have freed yourself from attachment to the results of work, and from desires for the enjoyment of sense objects, you will ascend to the unitive state.
The Bhagavad Gita 6.3- 6.4
I will expand on this blog soon, detailing exactly what methods fuel me from one day to another, as I learn to navigate and implement these new patterns to create positive habits for myself. Every day is different. I may fail and have off days, but I accept the losses just as much as I accept my humble, subtle wins.
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