LIVING YOGICALLY is my crack. I am officially addicted. I caught myself waking up in the middle of the night last week, bumping into a wall in my dark bedroom, in search of a pen and paper to write down the inspiration for next week’s post. I can’t stop looking at MvM to see if anyone commented on my posts or if anyone “liked” them via Facebook. I get a high off googling my name and seeing it appear on the computer screen. This is especially exciting because before these posts, the only time my name appeared on the internet was for a Ukrainian debutante ball that featured a Jakymyshyn- that wasn’t even related to me.

I have a problem. I think I need to apply to that TLC show called, My Weird Addictions and tell them I am addicted to LIVING YOGICALLY. I actually love that show. Some of my favorite episodes so far have been:

-The girl that eats couch cushions

-The guy that is married to a doll

-The girl that slept with her blow dryer

Waking up to addictions, habits or patterns of behavior is something my yoga practice has helped me do. This realization was made when there was a challenging pose that I could not do. I used to get so upset when my friend Nancy “the yoga star” could do crazy headstands and I could not. I am joking Nancy- you know you inspire me and I love ya. Well maybe now but in the past I was jealous of you. In the past, when I was unable to do the postures, I would berate myself. I would let my ego take over. I would give up. I would make excuses and blame whatever I could think of- my misshaped head or the person practicing beside me. Time and time again I saw this behavior reoccur and it wasn’t getting me anywhere- these thoughts weren’t getting me into the poses. I knew I needed to make a change. Now I realize that a yoga practice is just that- a practice. Instead of letting the craziness take over when I face a challenge I calm my breath, fall out of the pose and laugh at myself.

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. –Albert Einstein

I am slowly starting to see this realization, that I made on my mat, transfer into my daily life. One good example is in the type of guy I am attracted to now. Let’s just say I once only dated arrogant athletes. I finally stopped my insane dating behavior and would like to take this time to thank the last player “Pinton Quarter” for helping me change my ways. Oskee wee wee! Thank you to the new man that entered my life for making me realize humility is sexy. I would also like to give a big shout out to yoga- thanks for saving my life once again dear friend.

I will end with a great reading that inspired me to WAKE UP!!! We all have repetitive behavior that doesn’t serve us anymore, whether it be sleeping with blow dryers or sleeping with athletes. We all have patterns we need to bring awareness to. It is up to us when we feel ready to make the change.

Chapter One
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost…I am helpless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter Two
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again,
I can’t believe I am in this same place.
But, it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter Three
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in…it’s a habit…but, my eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter Four
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter Five
I walk down another street.

-Portia Nelson

What chapter are you on?
 

 

Peace, peace, peace

NAT

NEXT WEEK! I finally follow my mother’s great advice and listen to my heart. xo