Many years ago as a young woman, I craved the experience of contentment and confidence. I was a high energy girl, starry eyed and always moving, often leaving a trail of undone stuff behind me. I always had the sense of being chased by vagueness and at any moment there lived a possibility of coming undone.
Parts of me would step forward and demand organization, start making a list, and try to focus. I even bought a dorky watch (you have to remember this was before cell phones) that I sent as an alarm to remind me to focus and wake up to the present moment. I knew a daily practice of mindfulness was the way to move forward and peace, but I couldn't even remember to practice. My patterns of forgetting were stronger than my ability to remember to practice. Still, I never gave up.
All these years later I realize we must always remember that we have a tendency to forget what's important, what our goals are, why were here, what life needs from us. We must wake up earlier than our patterns and breathe into what's real. This is so personal – protocols that belong to other people won't cut it.
We must become the mistress of our own practice, commanding our day from the ground of the moment. Come home now to your breath and intention. What is the practice of the moment that will wake you up to your greatest potential? What is a practice, but something you come back to again and again to feel the way you want to feel?
Is it mindful breathing, chakra balancing, somatic scanning, heart hugging? Is it simple, like routing the four corners of your feet gently into the earth, or complex like a headstand? You decide, and ask. Be who you want to become today.
Feel the sun come in, and hopefulness shine. You've got this. Get inspired, and begin to visualize and affirm that you are the kind of person that loves to practice connecting to life, that which has heart and meaning, and the fullness of your essence.
Get inspired by the Goddess Saraswati, who with her Vedas (ancient sacred texts) and her Veena (her celestial musical instrument) celebrates her daily passions for the arts and education. She is often depicted with a swan and a peacock, the western and eastern symbols of transformation, as she creates new worlds with every passing breath.
She transforms the pain of daily focusing into the pleasure of her creation. She is an alchemist, transforming the pain of daily focusing into a creative blessing in the world. Every heartbeat magnetizes a new rhythm through her instrument for the greatest good of all.
Play on.