Balance
Now despite our clever and enticing title, we are actually not referring to physical or mathematical balance at all! This is the time of the year when we are all potentially trying to change ourselves and become that shiny, perfect, new version of ourselves. While we will have a list as long as our arm of things we want to change (oh yeah add that one “must get longer arms!”), we would like to invite us all to do so with a balanced approach!
Seek more balance in your life. An unbalanced life will sway in the wind while a balanced life stands firm.
This is often difficult as the momentum and desire from a January rush is hard to stem, but it has been proven that if we try and change too much in one go we are less likely to succeed. So with this in mind, we are going to look at a few things here today to help prioritize our goals;
- Motivation
- Longevity
- Forgiveness
It is a good idea to check in with what drives you, what is your motivation for wanting to change, generally if it is from outside, as in we are changing because we think it is best based on someone else’s view. This will be harder to maintain than if it is a true desire from within ourselves and our own beliefs. This can help to narrow down which goals are truly for ourselves at this moment in our lives, and which perhaps we are only doing for others.
Is the goal something which we want for the long term? Something which will benefit us right up until we are using our age as an excuse to be obnoxious and take the last of the cookies? Because this is the long game really, and the goals which stick are the ones which are there with us for the longer term, such as a goal to be healthier through to old age instead of thinner by next month for example.
Finally, lastly but definitely not least, comes forgiveness! This in itself can be a goal, to manifest more forgiveness for ourselves, when we do not always get things 100% right, (which is an unrealistic goal in any case). To be able to let it go, and be kind to ourselves, and get right back on the track and try again without the harsh words and thoughts at ourselves. It’s a biggy this last one, and funnily enough we may think that it is the one that will stop us succeeding, but in fact it is the one you will need to keep going and going, and is essential in the process of change.
So yes, let us plan, create change and be stronger and better everyday, but let us do it with a balanced approach, knowing that improvement doesn’t have to be absolute perfection all the time.
About the Author
Maria of Get Real Yoga is one of our yoga instructors at our onsite Siem Reap yoga studio, Samadhi Yoga by Navutu Dreams. Maria qualified in Ashtanga and Hatha in India and has taught retreats, resorts, gyms, and privately. She leads the Ashtanga classes and ensures the classes are inclusive to all ability levels. Read her full bio here.
