Tangled Christmas Tree Lights

“I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.” -Maya Angelou

I recently came across this quote while theming a Christmas Eve yoga class.  It jumped out at me because it reminds me of why we come to the yoga mat.  And that why is oh so important.

Here’s the deal.  Life is messy.  Sometimes it’s the little messes like rainy days, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.  Sometimes it’s the big messes like loss, grief, pain, and suffering.  Either way, life is messy.

We come to the mat to learn how to navigate the messiness with more grace and compassion.  We come to the mat to build strength. We come to the mat to find balance.  We come to the mat to gain the flexibility required for weaving through the ups and downs of life.  We become more resilient, more mindful, and more present.  We become less resistant and less reactive.

It doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time and consistency, as most good things do. But it’s a beautiful process.

And the most beautiful part about it?

Our yoga practice does not ask that we show up perfectly, with all our T’s crossed and I’s dotted. Our practice only asks that we SHOW UP.  With all the mess and all the flaws and everything else in between.  It only asks that we show up.  Physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  When we allow ourselves to show up honestly and vulnerably, the rest has a way of working itself out.

So I invite you to give it a try.  Just show up.  On your mat and in your life.  Let go of the expectation.  Let go of the judgement.  Let go of the attachment.  Just show up and let the magic happen.

Namaste :)