Life is a lot like yoga; one long pose. In yoga, it is very important to check in with yourself. Are you aligned properly? Are you breathing? Can you reach a little further, or should you pull back? Is your forehead furrowed? Are you smiling?
Nearly 20% into 2015, I think it is a good time to check in and make adjustments. There is still so much time for corrections to be made. And on the other hand, enough time has passed that maybe you need to take a moment to smile at your accomplishments.
Going back to my New Year post, the following were my goals for 2015:
I am going to continue on this journey, learning and growing, wherever it takes me. This includes practicing compassion, bravery, opening my heart, letting go, living in the moment, and ultimately working toward being a gentler, happier and more peaceful woman.
I live and breathe this goal. If I had a personal mission statement, this would be it. It is also almost impossible to gauge in terms of failure and successes. I can only say with 100% truth that I am learning, in every way imaginable. After cracking the nut on my suffering, I often feel fragile. I am seeing more, feeling more, contemplating more. I have literally opened myself up to this. Gone are the days of denial and ignorance and blind acceptance. Some days I feel really sad; understanding can be heart-breaking. But I rather feel this, and everything else I am feeling, than go back to how I felt last year.
Every night I am going to write down my single happiest moment of the day and drop it into my Happiness Jar in order to practice living in the moment, self-awareness, and also so that I do not forget these amazing moments.
Although there were days that I needed to get caught up, I am happy to report that my happiest moment of every day so far in 2015 is on a folded up piece of paper in my happiness jar. It is comforting. It helps me practice living more consciously, and to be more appreciative of my daily gifts. There have been a few days, like yesterday unfortunately, where I felt certain that I experienced not one happy moment. From start to finish it was just one of those days filled with struggle and heartache. But I got through it. Simply reminding myself that my success rate for getting through terrible, no good, very bad days is still 100% helped. That thought brought me a little bit of peace and made its way onto a scrap of paper. I also have Cooper’s enthusiastic greeting to fall back on, something that always warms my heart. The happiness jar was a wonderful decision.
I am going to practice yoga and meditation more consistently.
I have certainly practiced more this year than last. Certainly room for more practice, though. I do love it very much. The positive effects of both are instantaneous.
I am going to lose weight! The goal is 56 pounds. I am also going to STOP counting calories. I have been doing it for five years and have gained weight. It clearly is no longer working. Time to let go of the wall, trust my knowledge, and stop obsessing over food.
I have lost 8 pounds so far this year. Is that where I wanted to be by now? No, not at all.
It has been one of the coldest February’s in New Jersey on record, making getting out of bed at 5:00 am for the gym more difficult than usual. I was also sick for a third of the month. Are these excuses? Yes, absolutely. The word “excuse” in this context has a very negative connotation. I hate excuses. I’m sort of a no-excuse, no nonsense kind of woman. It doesn’t mean though that there isn’t some validity in my excuses. I am practicing being more loving and gentle to not only others, but myself. That being said, yes, it was cold, and yes, I was sick, but I could have done better. And although I could have done better, I am still proud of myself for losing 8 pounds, because that should not be diminished. So I will use “excuse” in its other context too and say: I acknowledge that I did the best I could and excuse myself for not having achieved more weight loss so far this year. I will try harder the remaining months of the year.
I am going to quit smoking cigarettes once and for all! This habit is not in line whatsoever with the person I want to be.
On 12/31/14, I was a smoker. It was also the last day I was a smoker. I haven’t touched a cigarette in any way, shape, or form since 2014, and even if this turns out to be my only achievement this year, I could live with that because this is an enormous, life-changing victory. I never loved myself much, and that makes me sad. But quitting smoking has been an act of pure love; it has nothing to do with anyone, but me, and what I decided to do for me. I like the way it feels and I know my future me’s eyes are watering with pride and gratitude looking at present me.
I love you, too, future me.
Submit three stories, essays, etc. to professional publications.
Wrapping up a freelance editing job, then working on my first article.
Tighten/re-evaluate my finances and spending – live more frugally.
This was my goal, and quite fortuitously, the Minimalism Game just reinforced it and took it a step further. I played all of January and February and tossed/recycled/donated/sold a grand total of 902 items! You can read more about my experience here.
Minimalism and frugality go hand in hand and tossing so many items helped me become much more choosy about what I spend my money on and bring into my house. I am doing very well living within my means, thank you very much.
This is where I’m at and I’m good with it. I feel no need to remove a goal or add another one at this time. Life has recently thrown me a few more challenges and I need to listen to my body. Yin Yoga has taught me a lot about extending just enough. In yin yoga, you hold poses for five minutes, with the goal being to deepen into each posture over time. Start out too strong and you will experience pain and need to ease off. You want to ease into the posture, opening your joints slowly, only taking on more when you’re ready.
If you feel ready to deepen into the posture known as life, please know that you don’t have to wait for a new year, a new month, new week or even a new day to make goals or self-correct. You can quit smoking right this moment, you can start a happiness jar today, you can [insert any of 10 million possible goals here].
Whatever your goals may be, just remember to check in with yourself, and to make adjustments where necessary.
You go, girl! Congrats on quitting the cancer sticks! 😉
Thanks, Janice!!!