Balancing Act

Perfectionism is unforgiving.  The moment we waver or fall, we are besieged with judgments of “not being good enough,” “not trying hard enough,” or really, just sucking.

When we practice balancing postures in yoga, we are immediately confronted by our unsteadiness.  We waver, we shift.  And if we’re trying something particularly new or challenging, we will almost certainly fall the first few times.  These moments of “failure” are an opportunity to re-wire our brains.  Reaching beyond our grasp involves inevitable stumbles, and how sad it would be for us to stay confined in a safe, comfortable space and never try anything new?  When we fall, stay aware of the judgmental mind.  Instead of buying into the voices of condemnation, can we find a sense of play and adventure in our practice?

As one of my teachers said, “Everyone falls.  It’s how we pick ourselves up that counts.”

The Present Moment: Gateway to Change

America has elected Barak Obama as president.

Yesterday, record numbers of voters seized the opportunity to let their voices be heard.  Today we have the first African-American president in our country’s history; a man whose voice rings out for change, sacrifice, and whose presence is a testimony to the potential of the American dream.

Most of us are not as high profile as President-Elect Obama –   man who has taken of the burden of symbolizing American transformation.  Our lives are more localized, our reach is closer to home.  However, our touch is just as – if not more – profound on those around us.  After all, it took millions of individuals exerting their right to elect Obama.

The present moment is the gateway to change.  While our minds frequently become clouded by memory or imagined futures, the clarity of presence can propel us beyond the inertia of habit and and enable us to grasp our power for transformation. We become conscience of the power of this moment.  We can move through the discomfort of the unknown and choose to change our course.

Yesterday in America we witnessed the power of conscientious change.  When millions of people made the considered effort to let their voices be heard.  Imagine carrying that consciousness into every moment of our lives.  So that every choice becomes an expression of our greater potential rather than an expression of our habits.  What other change is possible then?