Blowing the Dust (Off)
Posted: January 21, 2014 Filed under: Meditation, Yoga | Tags: Ahimsa, blogging, compassion, courage, crossfit, cycling, exercise, family, Feelings, fitness, free range, freshly pressed, friends, gluten free, happiness, health, hipster, Honor, hope, Intention, kindness, life, love, marathon, meditation, NFL, Omaha, pilates, running, Self-love, trail running, whole foods, WOD, yoga 14 CommentsIt is better to be alone than in bad company-
*The following post stems from a conversation I had this weekend with a close friend and mentor. Our discussion, wide-ranging as usual, started before yoga class this past Saturday morning. We both overheard a young couple talking about the tragic events at a X-Fit competition earlier in the week, five minutes before our class started … *
Why do we work out and consciously choose to abuse our bodies? Seriously, why do WE work out and choose to surround ourselves in an atmosphere that rewards, thrives on pain and punishment ? Why do we choose to persistently neglect and abuse our body, mind and spirit?
…
As I started to peel back the musty curtains hanging around my true self, my mind and heart finally (after 30+ years of abuse) awakened to the source of all the change and success I choose to ignore before. I stumbled upon a little known fact, that I simply choose to ignore for far too long:
We have to create Self Love.
It’s that simple folks, no yoga teacher in the world can do this for you, nor will competing in vain competitions. Your spouse may try to, and your friends may try even harder. No one can awaken you to loving yourself!
When did we stop honoring who we really? When did we stop honoring our feelings, and responding openly to these feelings? When did we forget that feelings are important signals to tune into? Even feelings of anger, pain and fear serve an important purpose of alerting us to the obstacles that may lie ahead on our path, if we keep neglecting the honest truth.
Believe me I know, it’s a tough choice each one of us has to make: Talking about our most vulnerable personal feelings or how sore and bad ass we feel after a killer yoga class – dude.
Daily Meditation:
After much thought, and a few sips of coffee, I have finally reached an understanding as to why I have limitations in my life …
I honor my body, mind and spirit.
*ahiṃsā*
CultFit 
So right on as usual! Of course there is room for a challenging workout from time to time to “play our edge.” But I think we’ve fallen into the trap of thinking that our “edge” is where we should ALWAYS train. Nothing but a train-wrecked body and an exhausted mind comes from living continuously on the edge. Well said 🙂
Unfortunately I have crossed that edge one too many times in my life. When I coach I like to say – “Tease the edge” … Get uncomfortably close and listen to your body. Normally when I talk about this touchy subject, I get a little push back. I’m not railing against any activity – we could be talking about dressage and cricket … But knowing our bodies and limitations? Opens up so many amazing doors in our lives. 🙂
I hope all is well my friend, take care!
You first line reminded of a conversation in Persuasion between Anne and her cousin (pretender to her hand) regarding their extended family from Ireland. Do you know it?
No I’ve never heard of it, the first line “It is better to be alone than in bad company” is actually a quote from George Washington.
I’ll have to find the passage, as I don’t think I can paraphrase it well enough. It is about the difference between good company and the best. An interesting take that I believe quite a few still adhere to.
I, on the other hand, tend to agree with George Washington on this 🙂
Nice post and spectacular photo. I just came back from a tonus class and was asking myself that very question. Why am I doing this? It is hard and sometimes boring. Yet, I keep coming back. Tonus. Pilates. Yoga. Yet, not to do it is worse. And after I’ve done it I feel good about myself. 🙂
Each one of us ebb and flow, finding our balance and center in life. Too much of this, maybe a touch more of that. In the end, feeling good about what we just accomplished, a stillness in our heart and a smile on our face … That’s all that matters. 🙂
Thank you for sharing this article quite interesting and, hopefully true happiness rays began to warm our hearts, when we can share it with sincerity. Greetings from Gede Prama 🙂
One of the many reasons why we tend to maltreat ourselves, whether through work out or some form of external happy drugs, is the innate way of dealing with emotions, particularly, the hurting heart. We al know that when such hurt occurs, all possible logic can not seem to awaken the heart from its tomb. Time is always the best healer. So what does one do then with time??
I rather have a person work out than succumb to alcohol and drugs. It is a way of refocussing the hurt… and yes, physical hut may then happen… but at that moment, what would you, or anyone rather feel?? The bleeding heart? Or a broken knee? We often choose the latter because there is still the possibility it may not happen; other than the already present ache within.
Would we then prefer to be addicted to the external happy substance than be addicted to strenuous and powerful forms of physical activities?? … until time helps us deal with the heart??
Others may knit, paint, dance, sing, whatever…
Others pound the treadmill… 😉
One word – Forgiveness …
Easier said than done. This is a lifetime learning…
Stay tuned for today’s post then … 😉
Great post. So important to honour ourselves. It’s something we need constant reminders of I think .
I think we do, each and every day. 🙂