Words of Wisdom:
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” ~ Neale Donald Walsch
Thoughts for July:
The summer season is upon us and I can’t help but to feel so lit up by it! There’s a certain energy about the summer that just begs of us to come outside and enjoy.
To bask in the sunlight.
To live more fully.
To come out of what perhaps became our “comfort” of hibernation during the colder seasons.
The above quote, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone,” is one of my favorites. I often say in class that it’s when you’re feeling the burn or sensation in a pose, or want to flee from the pose, that the posture is actually just beginning. It’s when we are placed outside of our comfort zone that real shift, growth, and transformation occurs.
…it’s when you’re feeling the burn or sensation in a pose, or want to flee from the pose, that the posture is actually just beginning.
When was the last time you took a chance, on or off your mat?
Life has a funny way of keeping us contained within the limits of “comfort.”
When we’re in our 20’s for example, we may take some chances, but they’re usually not life-changing or even extremely well thought out, given the fact that we may still be a bit immature.
Suddenly, we’re in our 30’s and start to reflect somewhat on what we have done with our life up to this point, or maybe an opportunity arises that would offer us something significant.
We entertain taking the chance of stepping out into the unknown, but often justify not doing it by telling ourselves, “I’m still young and have my whole life to do this,” or something similar to that effect. We then dismiss the momentary regret or opportunity and return to our comfort zone.
We entertain taking the chance of stepping out into the unknown, but often justify not doing it…
What happens next? Another 10 or more years may pass by before we have another reason to consider something different…something outside of our comfort zone.
Many of us don’t even become aware of the fact that we played it safe our whole life or have never really taken a chance on a dream we have or had.
We somehow think that we can wait till we are older and somehow we will become braver or that dream will somehow be realized.
Then, we look back and wish we could live those years over again and perhaps do things differently, take more chances, live more courageously, or be more successful.
As I often say in class though, “It’s never too late. As long as you have a heart beating in your chest and breath moving in your lungs, it is never too late to begin again from scratch.”
No matter your age, look inside yourself and get to the core of what it is you “wish” you had done or accomplished. Then set the intention to step outside of your comfort zone and go after it.
No matter your age, look inside yourself and get to the core of what it is you “wish” you had done or accomplished.
Start the business of your dreams, get on that airplane, take that trip thousands of miles from home, be open to finding the love of your life, etc..
Stop sitting at home wishing things were different, or sitting at your job hating every second of it, or never taking trips outside your own backyard.
Stop sitting at home wishing things were different, or sitting at your job hating every second of it, or never taking trips outside your own backyard.
The thought of trying something new, different, or pursuing a dream can be very scary and uncomfortable. But, until you muster the courage to bury your fears and go for it, you’ll be sitting at an old age, no further ahead than you are now, still wishing you had done things differently.
…until you muster the courage…you’ll be sitting at an old age, no further ahead than you are now, still wishing you had done things differently.
Fear is nothing more than the stories we create in our minds. When you look fear in the face, push through it, and take the action you are afraid of taking, the fear will dissipate. The more you face fear, the less it will surface.
Fear is nothing more than the stories we create in our minds….The more you face fear, the less it will surface.
It took me years to actually take the leap of faith and pursue my dream of opening Mind Body Flow Yoga. But, I am so happy I finally pushed past the fears that were holding me back all those years and went for it.
Getting out of my own way and going for it, has given me more confidence and courage than I ever thought I was capable of having.
Getting out of my own way and going for it, has given me more confidence and courage than I ever thought I was capable of having.
Life is supposed to be fulfilling, not lacking. The summer season begs of us to step outside and live. So, take that on this summer and beyond.
You’ll find when you step outside of your comfort zone, that everything changes and life is what it’s meant to be.
Life is supposed to be fulfilling, not lacking.
About the Image:
Marina Mukandala is featured in this newsletter issue in Camatkarasana (Flipped Dog Pose). The benefits of Flipped Dog Pose are as follows:
- Opens up chest, lungs, and shoulders
- Opens the front of the legs and hip flexors
- Builds strength in shoulders and upper back
Join the conversation and comment below.
How does love show up for you on your mat? What connected with you the most? Did I miss anything?
