A 100 Day Experiment: Yoga, Meditation & Journaling - Week 4

Comparison is the thief of joy ~ Theodore Roosevelt

I struggled with the time change this week. It doesn't seem possible that one little hour makes such a  difference in my day. So much of my life is commanded by the clock rather than the rhythms of my body, mind and spirit.

It was difficult to fall asleep knowing it wasn't "really" ten o'clock. Then difficult to wake in darkness again. I do enjoy the lighter later days, getting home before the sun sets, feeling like the day isn't over yet.

I continue to have to push myself to stand on the mat each day. The mind says, just skip it today, it won't matter. But it does. Getting my body moving, breathing, feeling the heat rise through me. I'm in my body, honoring it and putting it first, not dismissing it and pushing from an unconscious place.

I look in the mirror afterwards and see my face. I look vibrant and alive, breathing deep full breaths, opening the window and feeling the cool morning air rush in.

I continued to walk during my lunch hour to add more movement to my days. The above photo is from yesterday ~ a Saturday hike with my friend. It was hot when we met at the trail head at 4:30, about 81 degrees and no shade on the long winding climb to the top of this little 3.5 mile trail. I should have brought water.

The hills are so green and gorgeous from all the rain we've had. It really feels like Spring and I want to get outside as much as possible before the heat turns it all brown again. It is so good for my soul to be out in nature wherever I can find it.

I noticed my tendency to compare myself with others this week. It's automatic and has a story that I must have told myself thousands of times. I scroll through Facebook or talk to a friend or relative and hear how well they're doing or what resources they have and instantly feel myself as lacking.

Rather than give myself credit for how far I've come I perceive that everyone else is farther along or has access to many more resources and of course they are all more accomplished, beautiful, intelligent and more loved by All.

It sounds so ridiculous when I say it out loud. Being able to recognize the automatic beliefs I have is enlightening. Maybe I can begin to notice them before they've settled in, taken root and dragged me down into sadness.

Looking forward to coming week and all it brings.