I know you’ll face pain, suffering, hard choices, but you can’t let the weight of it choke the joy out of your life. No matter what, you have to find the things that love you. Run to them. There’s an old saying – that which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, I don’t believe that. I think the things that try to kill you, make you angry and sad. Strength comes from the good things, your family, your friends, the satisfaction of hard work. Those are the things to hold onto when you’re broken. ~ Jax Teller “Sons of Anarchy.”
Each of us has been faced with the uncertainty of the unknown. Moments where we have a choice to make and don’t know which way to go. Moments where something unexpected happens and we don’t know what the lasting impact will be. Moments of change. Moments where we are stepping outside of our comfort zone. Moments where it feels like we’re being pulled in a myriad of directions and the more we try to keep our grip on everything, the more we seem to be losing our grip.
So, what do we do in the face of the unknown?
There is really only one thing that we can do, in the face of the unknown. Just like a scientist goes back to “the basics; the “constants,” when faced with the unknown, we must do the same. Take it back to the basics. Root into what is constant in our life.
Who are the people who have been a constant in your life regardless of what was happening? When things were good or bad, they were there to help keep you encouraged and grounded. Just like in math, there’s something comforting about constants, as they are fail-proof. Your constants are the people who are there to lift you up when you’re defeated and to celebrate you when you’re victorious.
Your faith and your yoga practice are constants as well. No matter how wonderful or awful things are, your faith is a constant. Often times, surrendering to the unknown is as simple as humbling ourselves in faith and in prayer.
No matter how happy or sad times are, your mat is a constant that you can always step foot upon to cultivate calm, ease, and peace. Whether it’s in the comfort of your own home or the four walls of a studio that fosters community, support, and an extended family. These things, combined with your breath, are so powerful in creating ease, calm, and peace.
Root deeply into your constants, in the face of the unknown. Just like a math equation, your constants, will never fail you when everything else becomes variable. Just like holding plank pose – it’s a challenge, but if you ground into your constants – your feet, hands, breath, and gaze while holding the pose…you have unfailing peace.
