Getting What You Give
A regular practice of yoga is a useful tool in navigating through our lives. We can use the tool to carve out a healthy body, sharp mind, heightened intuition, and vibrant energy. We can also make a subtle, more detailed shift to navigating our intentions, which can take our lives in many different directions. When we direct our intentions with a constant effort we shift our perspectives, which can have a dramatic change on our exterior lives.
When it comes to things that you want out of your life, whether it be a healthy body, calm mind, great relationships, successful career, or all of the above, what you give is not only important in being of service and nice to people, but it is in direct proportion to what you get back.
In yoga I like to instruct a room full of students to take a long, full, deep inhale, and exhale twice as long. Take in a big breath, consume the air, fill up with your life and possibilities, and exhale a little longer, a little fuller, a little deeper. Let it go and give back. Find ways to be easy in letting go, find was not to be greedy in consumption.
This brings me to reflecting on intention. When we have an intention for our lives, even day-by-day, our day unfolds directly in proportion to our intention. Whether we are aware of our intention by consciously setting it, or passively claiming it, we all have intentions in each moment. When your intentions are of service and when you approach each moment with an attitude of “how can I help?” instead of “what can I get?” not only will you be able to help the situation, but you will get more in the process.
The idea is to actually realize life is not about the getting, but the giving. When we give, we get a full sense of gratitude, kindness, and that warm fuzzy feeling that we made a difference. Warm fuzzy feeling radiates and expands your world exponentially, so keep them coming!
Ask in each moment, each email, each interaction, each conversation, “How can I help?” and see what unfolds.
Try it out today and let me know what happens!
— Tara Stiles, Yoga & wellness expert
(via tarastileseats)
