This week was rough. As I previously mentioned that I lost a colleague in a horrific accident last Saturday. In addition to this, last Thursday Eric was asked to return to Iraq for a couple of weeks. Two weeks is nothing compared to what we have endured previously, but it is still difficult. Needless to say, by Sunday I was feeling extremely overwhelmed. At that point, I turned to the only thing that has helped me focus during the chaos of the last year: Hot Yoga. By Thursday, I found myself committed to the 30 Day Challenge.
The 30 Day Challenge involves completing 30 classes in 30 days. I have heard about a number of people completing the challenge, but I never really thought I would try it. Every time I even thought about it, I had a long list of excuses for why I didn't have the time. I am not sure what came over me, but I signed up and now I'm going to do my best to succeed. Tomorrow is the first day I am going to attempt two classes in a single day; I hope I survive!!
I am going to attempt to write about my experience and how I am feeling. Thus far, I am primarily feeling really tired and sore. However, I have experienced a few really emotional classes, especially in the beginning of the week. My reactions after classes have ranged anywhere from euphoric to angry since I began practicing almost a year ago. I am curious if my reactions will become more consistent with regular practice or if they will become more extreme.
I am looking forward to the journey that attempting this challenge will take me on. When Eric returns I hope to be at least 21 classes into the challenge; I am interested in what changes he sees in me as a result.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Day 4: A Season of Gratefulness
Today I am grateful for…
1. Free Will. I regularly have to remind myself that the place I occupy, is exactly where I chose. This is easy when things are going well; however, when a situation is less that optimal, it’s a little more difficult to take credit for landing myself there. The good part about even the not-so-great times is that I have the option of choosing to move past that moment. Knowing that, while I cannot control anyone else, I can control my reactions to them and my interactions with them empowers me.
2. Freshly Painted Walls. I love cleanliness and order. Nothing appears cleaner or more orderly than a freshly painted room. All of the lines are neat, there is no dust on the baseboards or cobwebs in the corners. All of the random scuffs and nail holes are absent. Each time I finish painting a room and take a moment to examine the final product, for a brief moment I can understand minimalism. I then recall how much I love to be surrounded by books and pictures and stationary; my minimalist dreams flee.
3. Redemption. Restoration to a better condition. So frequently I feel like I need to be a better version of myself and, fortunately, this is always a possibility. How lost and hopeless would humanity be if redemption ceased to exist?
4. Philosophy Strawberry Milkshake. The best body wash EVER! This is what the end of a bad day and the beginning of a better evening smells like to me. It smells so amazing and it feels just as good; if it’s been a truly horrific day, I use it in my hair as well. Sometimes, the small things make the biggest difference.
1. Free Will. I regularly have to remind myself that the place I occupy, is exactly where I chose. This is easy when things are going well; however, when a situation is less that optimal, it’s a little more difficult to take credit for landing myself there. The good part about even the not-so-great times is that I have the option of choosing to move past that moment. Knowing that, while I cannot control anyone else, I can control my reactions to them and my interactions with them empowers me.
2. Freshly Painted Walls. I love cleanliness and order. Nothing appears cleaner or more orderly than a freshly painted room. All of the lines are neat, there is no dust on the baseboards or cobwebs in the corners. All of the random scuffs and nail holes are absent. Each time I finish painting a room and take a moment to examine the final product, for a brief moment I can understand minimalism. I then recall how much I love to be surrounded by books and pictures and stationary; my minimalist dreams flee.
3. Redemption. Restoration to a better condition. So frequently I feel like I need to be a better version of myself and, fortunately, this is always a possibility. How lost and hopeless would humanity be if redemption ceased to exist?
4. Philosophy Strawberry Milkshake. The best body wash EVER! This is what the end of a bad day and the beginning of a better evening smells like to me. It smells so amazing and it feels just as good; if it’s been a truly horrific day, I use it in my hair as well. Sometimes, the small things make the biggest difference.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
