Monday
was my oldest son Zev's 9th birthday, so this week I celebrate him and also the
day I became a mom. I love birthdays! I call birthdays “yes” days,
because whatever the question is, the answer is yes. Can I have 2 donuts
for breakfast - yes! Can I skip my homework and watch Sponge Bob for 4
hours straight - yes! Can I stay up until 10:00 - yes! It’s the most fun day to be a parent.
Now, I have to be honest.
The days after my kids’ birthdays are my least favorite days in the year,
because of course all that excess and overdoing it isn't sustainable and they
can't manage the sugar crash and let down of the day after. But there is
a happy medium here. As a parent, I find that I have to say no more often than
I'd like to for one reason or another. I've also noticed that my initial
reaction in my life in general is often no, even when it doesn’t necessarily
have to be. When we practice Anusara yoga, we say yes first (Open to
Grace), then we refine by creating boundaries (Muscular Energy). It's a
subtle difference, but can have a profound shift. Sometimes ultimately it
ends up as a no, but a no as a refinement of a yes is different than a hard no
from the start.
Here’s how it might play out
off the mat: My 6-year-old son asks if he can ride his bike around the
block with a friend. I say no - case closed. OR I say yes, but....
I have to do it with you once first and you have to follow all the rules.
If I see that happen, you can go by yourselves the next time one time
around staying together. So even though I'm freaking out a little,
everyone wins and everyone feels safe and we all expand and grow, me as a
parent and he as an independent individual.
On the mat it looks like
this: the teacher demos some crazy arm balance pose. I immediately say to
myself, “no, not me I'm too _____________ “ (plug in your word...old,
inflexible, scared, injured, etc.) - case closed, you go do viparita karani
(legs up the wall). OR I say yes, but... My teacher gives some good warm
ups, some alignment points to work on that will help get me into the pose.
So I do those. And then when it comes time to do the pose, I just
keep doing the prep rather than just taking yourself out of the running
completely from the start. I might not do the pose that day, but I am
mindfully working on the prep and the alignment so even if I never get into the
full final form it doesn't matter, I am still getting stronger, expanding my
boundaries safely, and growing physically and emotionally by staying in the
game.
The
Universe is like a birthday parent. Whatever
you ask the answer is yes - always and unconditionally. Your Source wants for you what you want for yourself.
So
if you say “I want to live fully, joyfully, love-fully!” the Universe says “YES!”
if
you say “My life is so hard, everything is such a challenge.” the Universe says
“YES!”
if
you say “I live in abundance and wholeness.” the Universe says “YES!”
if
you say “I’ll never have enough time, money, love…” the Universe says “YES!”
Birthdays
are a day to unabashedly receive. To receive what is up to you. Every
breath, our embodiment itself with all that it brings is a gift, but what do we
do with that? What do you want for your life?
What do you desire? Since the Universe is always affirming what we
affirm for ourselves, take a moment to ask yourself what is your
"mantra" (the thing(s) you say to yourself over and over again, day
in day out)? Does it affirm your highest
aspirations for yourself? It’s like that famous Henry Ford quote one of
my students reminded me of in class this week: "Whether you think you can,
or you think you can't, you're right."
Every day (really every moment) has the opportunity to be a re-birth
day, an opportunity to become an open vessel for grace, love, creativity and
blessings and receive the beauty of the world and of your life.
Come
to your mat and your life this week and be open to receive. The great poet Rumi said “That which you are
seeking is also seeking you.” so set
your highest intention and I guarantee the Universe will affirm it. Say YES to your life: your challenges, your blessings,
your poses, your body, your job, your family, your friends and watch the
transformation begin. Happy re-birth
day!
