This post should actually be for Friday, July 15th but since I got caught up in studying for anatomy and enjoying the company of others at a wonderful BBQ I am now posting what should be yesterday's blog.
Today in the 4:30 yoga class the instructor asked a simple question during our Savasana ("Dead Body") pose - "Why are you here?" It seems easy enough to answer - to get a great workout, to sweat, to feel better about myself, and because it's a requirement of teacher training. But then I thought, does that really answer why I'm here today? I could probably get a nice workout running 6 or 7 miles by the beach, or if I wanted to feel better about myself I might get a haircut or massage. So what is it that really makes me want to be in the class, and not just feel like I have to be there?
The answer I discovered, for myself, is to have a purpose. When I worked as an analyst at the consumer trends research company I did love learning about people's opinions, current marketing strategies of major corporations such as Toyota and Clorox, and what was going on in the world. But really at the end of every day I would walk away from my little grey "home away from home" and think, did I really make a difference? Quite possibly I did.
Well, actually I know I did because often our clients would thank us for the data and share that it helped them with a pitch or new product research. That in itself was part of the problem though - I didn't actually get to see the end results nor did I feel that my work was truly helping me to become a better person. By no means am I demeaning the efforts of marketing or public relations, I just did not feel any gratification from the work. I struggled with the fact that I was just supplying information to others so they could sell products or services. It was all about - money!
When I first expressed interest in teaching yoga, my boyfriend Gabriel (we were only friends at the time) told me one thing that to this day I am convinced of - if you are truly passionate about something and find a way to do it, you will enjoy living and sharing it with others, and money won't matter. I suppose it's easy to say and harder to actually believe or follow through with. But if I wanted to be rich I would have stayed with my analyst job. I have no doubt that in 2-3 years I would have been promoted to a senior analyst and be making a comfortable living (only because I was diligent and had the capacity to do so). But, my heart would suffer. Because in my heart is a true desire and passion to share the benefits of yoga.
Recently one of my best friends from middle school got married and as a bridesmaid I shared this passage from The Alchemist during my toast:
"Why do we have to listen to our hearts?" the boy asked, when they had made camp that day.
"Because, wherever your heart is, that is where you'll find your treasure."
So, where is your heart today? Are you actively listening to it? Or are you tuning it out and continuing with your daily grind only to survive and not live? I would rather live - after all we only get one life.
_Peace and Love
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