"Something good always comes out of something bad."
While it's not my intention to start every post with some deep, meaningful quote that sets the stage for a dramatic description of my adventures, I did hear the above advice today and felt it was appropriate. How can I turn a negative event or encounter with someone, whether a stranger or friend, into something that was incredible, even encouraging? Ok, maybe not that far - but you get the idea. One of the most amazing things about yoga is the constant challenge it presents to both my body and mind. As a runner, I'm used to sticking with a couple of routines and knowing the exact points where I need to push or hold back. Yet with yoga, part of the excitement is in not knowing because there's always the ability to improve.
Today I learned from other teacher trainers about both their passion for yoga and their motivation to participate in this intensive four week course. It was both inspiring and gratifying to know that there are other people who feel the same way about this practice and truly appreciate its benefits. I can't remember a time when I have felt so deeply convinced that this is the right thing to do. The joy is like that of a child opening up presents on Christmas. Yoga is a gift, to me, and to others. I hope to share this gift with anyone who desires to partake.
_Peace and Love
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Leaving the "Cube" Life Behind
"When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision."
-Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
Almost one year ago I posted the above quote on my Facebook profile with confidence and determination to succeed in my new venture - an analyst position with the fourth largest research company in the US. After searching for over a year for a job which I felt would provide me with satisfaction and happiness, I had finally found a placement in Irvine, CA. Excited, nervous, and eager to start, I remember sleeping very little the night before. After all, this was IT! This was the moment I had waited for, the moment I had dreamed of when walking down the aisle at graduation.
I quickly learned though that as an analyst my life would be both exciting and yet extremely mundane at the same time. Sitting at a computer 8 hours a day and pouring over data and manifestations was easy enough - I loved the sensation of belonging to a unique club of "data minded" individuals that saw the world through statistics and projections. And knowing that my work was helping to shape the marketing efforts of huge corporations gave me a sense of pride and accomplishment that I had lacked in my former job. Yet, limited interaction with others and a home away from home that consisted of grey cubicle walls, low lighting, and frigid indoor tempatures was less appealing.
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Around the same time I began my "career," I fell in love, love, love with hot yoga. Completely different, right? Well, not so much. I've always been a work out enthusiast - mostly because I love to eat, especially chocolate - and find exercise as a way to relax while at the same time do something beneficial for my body. Hot yoga transformed my perspective of health and wellness. I began to do things with my body that I had never before been able to even imagine, and each time I left class dripping wet with sweat, I felt a huge wave of calmness drift over my mind, body, and soul.
And then it happened. In January 2011, I overheard rumors of a Yoga Teacher Training course taking place in the summer at the studio where I practice. My curiosity was sparked yet at the same time I found myself pointing to all the reasons I shouldn't take part in the training. I'd have to quit my job. I'd have no steady income. I'd be crazy to leave a company that I worked so hard to be a part of. All these reasons mounted into one big NO. But my heart kept telling me YES.
So, here I am. The last day of my job as an analyst, and hopefully the last day I find myself working in a cube. Goodbye grey walls, goodbye computer screens, and goodbye 8 to 5. The decision I made nearly one year ago has transformed me into a person I never knew I could be, and now it's time to ride the current.
_Peace and Love
-Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
Almost one year ago I posted the above quote on my Facebook profile with confidence and determination to succeed in my new venture - an analyst position with the fourth largest research company in the US. After searching for over a year for a job which I felt would provide me with satisfaction and happiness, I had finally found a placement in Irvine, CA. Excited, nervous, and eager to start, I remember sleeping very little the night before. After all, this was IT! This was the moment I had waited for, the moment I had dreamed of when walking down the aisle at graduation.
I quickly learned though that as an analyst my life would be both exciting and yet extremely mundane at the same time. Sitting at a computer 8 hours a day and pouring over data and manifestations was easy enough - I loved the sensation of belonging to a unique club of "data minded" individuals that saw the world through statistics and projections. And knowing that my work was helping to shape the marketing efforts of huge corporations gave me a sense of pride and accomplishment that I had lacked in my former job. Yet, limited interaction with others and a home away from home that consisted of grey cubicle walls, low lighting, and frigid indoor tempatures was less appealing.
And then it happened. In January 2011, I overheard rumors of a Yoga Teacher Training course taking place in the summer at the studio where I practice. My curiosity was sparked yet at the same time I found myself pointing to all the reasons I shouldn't take part in the training. I'd have to quit my job. I'd have no steady income. I'd be crazy to leave a company that I worked so hard to be a part of. All these reasons mounted into one big NO. But my heart kept telling me YES.
So, here I am. The last day of my job as an analyst, and hopefully the last day I find myself working in a cube. Goodbye grey walls, goodbye computer screens, and goodbye 8 to 5. The decision I made nearly one year ago has transformed me into a person I never knew I could be, and now it's time to ride the current.
_Peace and Love
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