Practicing Compassion and Kindness

Every time I step on my yoga mat, my wise teacher reminds the class, “Yoga is a practice.” 

I’ve learned that a “practice” means you approach whatever you are doing without expectation, taking what comes in the moment with gratitude.

It’s a simple concept but not always easy to do. My mind likes to assess the status of the body and judge whether this will be a good or bad day for yoga. But, really, is there ever a bad day for yoga? Ha!

The same could be said for compassion and kindness. It’s a practice and there really isn’t a bad day or time to practice. Regardless of what’s going on in your world, compassion and kindness, just like love, seem to improve any situation even if it’s just your experience of it.

Last year I took a class with Rev. Pattie called Living My Life Purpose. One of the practices in that class was to raise and praise people and situations in our experience. At that time, I felt like I was living in my car, driving my kids to and from three different schools and a variety of after school activities nearly daily. I decided to start raising and praising all the other drivers on the road. Out loud declaring, “I raise you and praise you!” when someone cut me off. “I raise you and praise you!” when someone didn’t stop at the intersection. “I raise you and praise you!” to the road workers causing delays. First it added humor to the situation because my kids thought it was hilarious, and second, 

it reminded me of the power I have in the moment
to invite God into any situation by means of me.

In August, we are exploring the ideas of compassion and kindness. How can you invite God into the moment by means of you through your practice of compassion and kindness? How can you make your life more vibrant and alive by practicing compassion and kindness in the moments when it's not easy?

If you are looking for some ideas, here are a bunch! Pick something and do it, then share with us on our Facebook page how you noticed your life expand.

Balance Found

Yoga is one of my favorite exercises. I love how my body feels after a series of poses: relaxed, energized, free.

Last year, I committed to a regular practice, going to class a few times a week. Then life got busy and yoga seemed an expensive luxury so I stopped going. I missed it, but my excuses won over.

A few weeks ago, I attended a single yoga class at the Center led by a friend of mine. The flow was gentle but afterwards my body felt sore; my muscles needed to move. I realized that no one and nothing was stopping me from rolling out my mat and moving through some poses at home. A few Sun Salutations would do me a world of good. So I started.

I thought, "what would my body and life look like if I practiced yoga daily?" I challenged myself to find a few moments every day to roll out my mat and step on it. I decided to release my attachment to the amount of dedicated time. Five, 10, or 30 minutes would qualify.

After making the commitment, the Universe jumped in to support me. A parent at my daughter's preschool, who is a yoga instructor, offered me suggestions for my practice and helped me create a wonderfully balanced flow. My husband helped me uncover ways to access the internet on my TV so I could support my practice online. And, time seems to open up when I need it the most. Often, I get a good uninterrupted 30 minutes.

Today, I'm on day 10. I feel stronger, centered and relaxed. My body moves with ease throughout the day. I breathe deeper in stressful situations and my mind is calm more often than cluttered.

I'm learning about balance, surrender and flexibility, both physically and mentally. And, mostly, I'm reminding myself that it's a practice rather than a goal or a destination.

What could you commit to today that will bring more balance to your life? What might you need to surrender in order to make room? For me, surrendering my limiting belief that yoga benefits only happen at a studio with an instructor opened up possibilities for greater physical and mental health and balance.