Food for Thought

Since I have been doing my 30 day yoga challenge, I have had a lot of time to reflect about a variety of things in my life. I have seen significant changes, not only in my strength and flexibility, but the way I approach my day. I feel more zen about everything.

Each class we begin with setting an intention, something that you want to focus on, it could be breath, an issue you are working through, peace, being present in the moment, etc. The class usually begins in a few still moments preparing the mind for the practice. Usually the teachers will read a meditation which can help to set the mood or focus for the class. Tonight we were focusing on habits, and this was the poem that the instructor read.

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

By Portia Nelson
 

Chapter 1

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 2

I walk down the same 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 the same place.
But it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter 3

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.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter 4

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

Chapter 5

I walk down another street. 

In our practice we were truly focusing on the changing the habits. For my instructor, today she switched it up and put on her left shoe first. As for me, I walked home using a different route. All though these changes are small, it will set into motion bigger changes in my life, changes for the better. I encourage you to try to do the same, see what happens.