I don't believe in New Year Resolutions. At least, I thought I didn't. I'm the type of person who rolls their eyes when people are all about what they're going to do come the New Year (super judgy of me, I know, working on that). I personally think it sets people up for failure. Because you know come March, those goals have flown out of the window. Having goals and dreams is great. But why wait til January 1st do get started? Same goes with the people who say "I'll start Monday." Start now! It's much easier to talk about it, than be about it, I know. And I am in no position to make any judgments about what people do or don't do. But there's a reason why I'm saying this...
Since I started this "yoga journey", I've really looked hard at the person I am and the person I want to be. I didn't really call it a "yoga journey", but a few of my friends have referred to it as that and it made me realize that it is probably the best name for this path I'm on. It isn't just a journey to handstand, or to become a yoga teacher. Yoga is not just a physical exercise, but a way of life. Yoga is just as much spiritual, emotional and mental. I want to be a better person. I want to be a happier person. I still want to be the opinionated, sharp-tongued, no bullshit woman I feel I am, But I also want to be the type of person this world needs. Someone positive. Someone loving. Someone strong. I don't just want to inspire people to do yoga, but want to inspire them to be better people. To find what they love and share it with the world, too. Maybe we can all be better, together. We all gotta start somewhere.
What I have learned thus far? That self-awareness is everything. Recognizing who I am, my thought process, my emotions, my actions... and the results/consequences of all of those things is a big deal. Where in the past, I may have just reacted, I've learned to respond instead. This isn't true for everything, as I'm still learning, but it makes a world of difference to know who I am. In doing so, I can also learn to mold, evolve and even change some of those things. If I know that saying what is on my mind is going to ensue an argument I don't want to have, or create problems I don't want, I can choose to keep those opinions to myself. If I know that over-analyzing a tiny issue is going to make me crazy (like it usually does), I can choose to see things in a different light, and save myself the unnecessary stress.
I have also become very aware that we are all products of what we are exposed to, what we allow into our lives. Our friends, our job, our vices. Everything from what news stories we read, to what food we put in our mouth, can change the course of a day. I'm not trying to sound like some life guru; I still scarf down a bag of Hot Cheetos while reading the latest on the Kardashians. What I mean is, that when you are aware of what something does to you, it might make you think twice about going there in the first place. A job you hate, an unhealthy relationship, your spending habits, what you watch on TV, eating junk food everyday, a bad friend. It could all be slowly killing you. The real hard question here is: Are you willing to cut off what does not serve you?
Now, into 2016, everyone is talking about resolutions again. This year, however, I couldn't help but reflect on what last year has taught me. It was probably one of the best years of my life. I am happier now than I have been in a really long time. I don't mean that everything went my way and was perfect. Quite the opposite. Many things changed, I had to let go of a lot of baggage, even people. I had to take leaps of faith. I had to find faith. I had to find myself. There is still plenty I can do to continue to improve, as this journey has only just begun. So I've begun making a mental list. Of the things I want to change and accomplish this year. Not just in yoga, but in life. So do I have New Year Resolution? Yea, I guess I kinda do. Cue eye roll now.
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