Angels and Devils

We all make good and bad choices every day.  If we are too hard on ourselves, it causes negative effects over a period of time in our bodies.  When we are too easy on ourselves and never push boundaries, we won't learn and grow.  If others are too hard on us and use shame to make lessons hurt, our bodies remember that shame when we have similar experiences in the future.

The angel in us wants to make a perfect choice, the devil wants us to break the rules. There is a part of us that wants to do our best and a part of us that really (really) doesn't.  Each of us has different reasons why we stop ourselves from making good choices.  Asking ourselves "why" is the beginning of that awareness.

This morning (Saturday) I woke up and wanted to go to yoga.  Another part of me wanted to have a couple extra cups of coffee and hang around and not have to do anything that would take me away from my place of peace and happiness in my home.  No matter what my decision, I choose to release any guilt or judgment about it.  I choose to be OK with my choice.  That is the first step:  self-acceptance.

I still don't know which part of me is gonna win. And if I am going to yoga, I need to start chugging water so I can rehydrate myself after my coffee.  It takes effort and commitment to follow the angel's advice and move forward to a path that will be healthier than staying at home drinking a few extra cups of coffee without hydrating.  But the bigger lesson is self-acceptance, I will love and accept myself no matter what I do.

In the short term what matters is which decision will give you relief.  Take action and see how it feels......I just shut off the coffee maker and had a glass of water.  I put on my workout clothes and listen to my self-talk.

If I feel resistance, I note "why" and if I don't, I take the next step forward.  I had more resistance to going when I only had a few sets of yoga clothes, leading to the need to do laundry more often; so I bought more yoga clothes.  I had resistance because I had scheduling conflicts so I asked for help with those from my husband.  He assisted with carpools when needed.  If you aren't asking for help in reaching your long-term goals, take note of that.  Resistance is based on internal struggles.  Part of our minds want us to pick the path of least resistance.  That is why it's better to make changes one step at a time and really take the time to understand what is stopping us from moving forward.   

There is always another breath, another day to regroup and make different choices.  When we find a safe place to spread our wings, it's easier to learn how to fly.  One reason I love my yoga class is because the instructors always affirm that my best is good enough.  One day, another participant said she might stay in "child's pose" (the resting pose) the entire class because she was physically and mentally wiped.  The instructor said "no problem - listening to your body is important".  Once we decide to make positive changes in our lives, we will face challenges and resistance.  It's nice to be surrounded by supportive people when it happens.

Have a great day!

Xo

Conni

Today's Mantra:  I will move forward towards my goals and will love myself no matter what.

Mantra for Every Day: I choose to send love to all; receiving love back multiplied in infinite proportions, creating and nurturing pathways of love.