Who is the missing link? I am ....
This past 2 years has been a very intense roller coaster for me. I have had some major setbacks in life along with a few breakthroughs.
One issue is the amount of "screen time" that I give in to. I have 5 email accounts that I manage (one or two less important than the others), 3 Facebook pages, 2 Pinterest accounts and 2 blogs. The blogs get no attention at all... one is brand new for my other business and this one that hasn't seen light of day for 2 years.
Let's clarify one thing. I love yoga. I love practicing (although I don't as much as I should) and I love teaching. I love my students and I love having yoga in my life. BUT... what has happened to me in my life is that because I am teaching yoga as well as running another business with my husband, I now view yoga as a job more than a lifestyle. Teaching takes time, Facebook takes time, emailing my students take time, coordinating schedules and workshops takes time... and blogging takes time. Sadly, the last of those has died a slow death.
I recently re-read a fantastic book by Carl Honore titled "In Praise of Slowness: How a Worldwide Movement is Changing the Cult of Speed". I read this book in the early 2000's and loved it. This past few weeks I had an epiphany and was led to find another copy and immerse myself it in again. What was most fascinating to me is that this book had the same if not more profound effect on me than the first time I read it. Why? Simply because my life is that much more out of control now. My first go-round turning the pages was inspiring, however I had ONE job, it was not my own business (I was working for "the man") I was in a stable relationship with no kids (except an amazing dog... RIP Radar) and a pretty effortless life. Fast forward to today: I own 2 businesses, have a fantastic husband and 2 very cool stepchildren, 2 1/2 cats (the stray cat whores around the neighborhood so I can't honestly claim her as ours), some legal issues, aging parents, and a few undesirable individuals who meander around my life causing grief.
Waa waa, boo hoo. I know, I know... My point is that this book reminded me how our society and culture has forced us into a devastating life of speed. We can't and don't take time to slow down and chill. What is scary is that this book is now approx. 10 years old and the words resonate the same, just louder. It has made me take a step back and look at my life from the outside instead of inside my frenetic brain. Either way it is pretty scary stuff.
The result is that I am going to streamline several things in my life. My first step after reading the first chapter was to unplug as much as possible. I have avoided my personal Facebook page for 4 days now and I haven't died. I have only checked to see if there were any messages in the little "voice bubble" as a few people I communicate with do so only through FB and to post one or two things on my business pages, because that is my job.
My next step is to eliminate checking my email accounts every 30 seconds. I have all accounts linked to my smartphone so I roll from one to the next over and over like a continuous barrel only to realize... there are no new emails and my neck is stiff.
There are other thoughts and ideas rolling through my brain but these are the most significant that will have the quickest and (I think) most dramatic impact on my life. I have always been a creative individual and all of my energy has been channeled into work, family....and some sort of electronic device. As Metallica says "Sad But True".
I have decided that since I have neglected this particular blog for so long that this will be my last full post here. One thing this has sparked is the realization that I enjoy (and miss) writing so I am going to channel my written energy into a new blog that will cover a multitude of topics. The blog is set up, however I have not given it my attention as I need to close some doors and mend some fences first. I plan to post the link here in the next week.
I still love yoga but my energy in yoga needs to stay focused on my students, my self, and my breath. There are more than enough blogs, magazines, books and web sites out there covering the last 3000-5000 years of yoga, so I think the topic is covered.
For those of you who have supported me in any capacity I greatly appreciate it and hope to see you on my journey ahead.
Namaste xo
