How To Escape The Biggest Thief Of Joy

Those of you who have been subscribers to our newsletter for a full four years now will likely recognize the above photo, that appeared in our first ever newsletter, four years ago today. At the time, I was 5 months pregnant with my second child and the studio had just celebrated its 6 month anniversary a few weeks prior. Today, we mark the four-year anniversary of the studio’s newsletter and the studio is now four and a half years old (as of last month, on September 12th).
It is so easy to forget to stop and take stock of how far we have come in our lives. Especially in a world that focuses so much on what we lack … money, prestige, beauty, etc.. It is so easy to get caught in the trap of feeling as though we need to “be more” or “do more.”
Four and a half years ago, I was 6 months into studio ownership, pregnant with my second child, and a mom of a 23-month-old baby girl. Prior to opening Mind Body Flow Yoga, I spent much of my life ignoring the conviction that there was something else bigger that I was meant to do. But, since I was too afraid to take the leap of faith in pursuing my dream, I played it safe by working in the corporate world. I was pretty good at event planning and donor relations work, but I was never really “passionate” about it. To say that I was “fulfilled” in my work would have been a gross understatement.

Of course, as I look back now, I can see that this was all a blessing. Going into work every day and “faking it,” ultimately pushed me to realize that something had to change, and fast. This wasn’t me…wasn’t who I was called to be…wasn’t my purpose. I was finished with playing it safe and ready to go for my dream. Since then, I’ve attended teacher training, opened Mind Body Flow Yoga, and now, I am living and breathing my dream. But, is that always how I see the situation? Of course not.
On many days, I find myself focusing on how far I still have to go. I see the places that I want to take the studio, the imperfections, etc., rather than taking the time to marvel at the fact that I have built a beautiful community in these four and a half years. And you know what? Failing to acknowledge how far I’ve come robs me of a lot of joy. I may not have everything figured out in my business, but I’ve come a long way.

Failing to acknowledge how far I’ve come robs me of a lot of joy. I may not have everything figured out in my business, but I’ve come a long way.

More often than I’d like, I find myself focusing on what I didn’t accomplish in a given day or questioning if I gave my kids and my husband enough attention that day.  I doubt my ability to be a studio owner on the days where I’m completely spent and up past midnight (because there just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in a day to accomplish tasks, with three kids, a husband, a studio, and let’s not forget our first child, our loving pooch, Dewey). Stated simply, my lie/story of not being good enough, crops up every now and again.
But, I remain so grateful for the fact that this practice has given me the ability to notice when I am slipping into my lie/story instead of basking in the fact that I am living and breathing my inner YES and my life’s purpose. This ability allows me to take myself out of negative thought patterns when they crop up and not dwell in that space. I serve myself none when I slip into my lie/story and in return, I deprive myself of celebrating all that I have accomplished. I have come so far from being that young woman stuck behind a desk in an office, pretending I loved what I was doing, and being too afraid to go for my dream.

I would be willing to bet that you’ve made huge progress in your life’s journey, as well, but are too focused on what remains to be done to see it. I invite you to start giving yourself credit for the hard work and achievement you have had, both on your mat and off your mat. The next time you catch yourself saying something like, “Gee, it only took me 6 months to get up on my head,” or “Yeah…I finally got into Bird of Paradise, but my standing leg was bending,” stop yourself dead in your tracks…acknowledge the negative talk…drop it…and instead, celebrate your accomplishment.

I invite you to start giving yourself credit for the hard work and achievement you have had, both on your mat and off your mat.

We all want to reach the top of the mountain and feel as though we have achieved something. We want to be finished, but the fact of the matter is that’s never going to happen because our lives are a constant work in progress, which is the way it’s designed to be. Believe me, you’d be bored if you weren’t constantly growing and changing.

We want to be finished, but the fact of the matter is that’s never going to happen because our lives are a constant work in progress, which is the way it’s designed to be.

Whatever you are working towards, and however far you still have to go, I encourage you to take the time to bask in everything you have achieved thus far. It doesn’t matter if you are moving fast or slow, only that you keep moving. And the best way to ensure that you continue to do that is to cherish each step along the way, be it big or small.
Want to know of an achievement that’s worth cherishing and smiling about? It is because of YOU, yes, YOU who is reading this article right now, that we even have a newsletter. It is because of YOU that we have hit this milestone of our newsletter’s four year anniversary. YOU are a part of something beautiful. YOU are a part of a community and an important part of it at that! YOU help make it possible.
One of my favorite teachers would always say, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” YOU make up that whole. And for that, I thank YOU and I cherish YOU! Keep smiling and keep celebrating how far you have come.
In celebration of the bravery, courage, and inner YES that we as a community have embodied together, take a trip down memory lane with this special video clip below.
Happy Newsletter Anniversary, Mind Body Flow Yoga!