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Friday 4 January 2013

Things I Learned In 2012

For the most part I really enjoyed 2012. It was exciting, fast paced and unpredictable - a true Year of The Dragon! The last time we had a Dragon Year was 12 years ago during the whole Y2K fiasco. This year was no different with the Mayan predictions about the "end of the world".  While the world never actually ended it seems like certain archetypes, false ideals and social structures certainly have. I see things changing in magnificent ways! We are moving towards a more enlightened, less materialistic society. At least that's what I'm seeing from my vantage point. 2012 felt like a monumental one for sure.  I could have done without some of the drama...but overall it's been an interesting ride. This year certainly brought a few challenges. But it definitely helped me figure out what I really want and provided me with the opportunities to make some pretty amazing changes. I'm grateful for the lessons learned and for everyone I've met along the path thus far! 2013? Bring it.



-Resistance is futile. It really is. What you hold strong aversion to is actually what you end up attracting more of.

-My yoga practice is more inspiring to me now than ever before. I'm elated about the opening of my new studio - The Village Yogi. I'm trying to be patient but that's never really been one of my strong points ;)

-Once you decide what you want to do, commit to it, and start acting on your desire - the Universe brings more than you could even imagine for yourself to help you reach your goals. It's true. Action is key. It's not enough to simply "want"....you gotta act on what you want. Take tiny steps each day.

-I've said it before, I'll say it again, one needs one's own yoga practice for at least 5 years before they open a studio and claim to be a "yoga teacher". A 200 hr certification and a handful of months of practice is simply not enough practical knowledge. Those kind of teachers hurt people and need to re evaluate their reason for teaching. Just my opinion, of course.

- Every one says "life is short" but it's not until you lose someone you care about that you realize just exactly what that means. This year I've learned that life is too short not to do what I love. It's too short to waste time. Everything can change in an instant.

- Love is stronger than hate, stronger than death, stronger than someone`s judgement or ridiculousness. But you gotta love YOU first. From that - all good things come.

-Apparently I like mussels. Who knew!?

-Interestingly - raw zucchini in salads is also delicious. I always hated the texture of cooked zucchini. Blech - too mushy! But raw...it's amazing.

-Food is Medicine.

-Consistency is the key to everything - fitness, diet, relationships, life.

-I'm not a fan of "corporate" franchised yoga. I've worked for it, practiced in it, and researched it from the inside out. It's just not for me. Jus' sayin.

-The person/people who hurt you the most will one day become your biggest teacher(s) and most inspired motivation.

-Men & Women can absolutely be "just friends". But eventually sex will enter into it - even just as an awkward confused conversation. It's human nature.

-Good Friends are like Family to me. One and the same. Sometimes your friends choose people or behaviors you disagree with. But, like family, love is unconditional. Sometimes you gotta just let people make their own mistakes and try to be there for them the best you can.

-The best predictability of future behavior is past behavior. Sure, people change. But a cheater is usually always a cheater. A liar - usually stays a liar. I guess there's deep therapy for that kind of thing. But I don't personally know anyone that's worked for.

-Occasionally you meet people along the way who blow your mind. People you feel an immediate connection to - like you've known them for lifetimes. Those kind of connections can be intense; scary even.  If you love them,  and you truly feel like life would suck without them, fight for them! Because you'll spend the rest of your life wondering - wtf was that!? (which can be a mild form of torture actually)

-Misery loves company. If you need to distance yourself from people in your life who are threatened by your positivity or exuberance - do it! At least until you've fully adjusted to a new, positive, way of being. It doesn't have to be a permanent severing of your friendship(s), but it serves you to surround yourself with people who reflect back to you the qualities you admire and are cultivating in yourself and your own life.

-I'm not a fan of winter. I'm just not. In moderation - it's nice and refreshing. But months and months of snow and ice and cold....no thanks. One day I will spend half the year in my tropical home - which will probably be Costa Rica. Nothing less will do. It's what I need.

-Beware the sociopath - no heart, no conscience, no remorse. They exist... and usually show up in the form of very charismatic people promising you the world. To date I have known two(2). One of them swept me off my feet this year. It's interesting how we will question our own intuition when it comes to matters of the heart, isn't it? But really - if someone lies to you repeatedly, steals from you (and others) and repeatedly puts your safety in jeopardy, that person is NOT honorable. In fact, they are dangerous. Despite their smooth talking ways - do not be fooled. Getting entangled with people like that will only cause you harm and eventually destroy your life. Sometimes they come as a test I think; to help you gauge your self-worth. Have compassion, but do not be blind or manipulated by their projections - no matter how much they talk and how  confused they can make you feel. Get. Out. Fast. (and don't look back!)

-You can tell a lot about a man by what kind of father/uncle/friend he is to children.

-Worry is also futile. Find a way to squelch your anxieties - breathe, meditate, run, ride...whatever it takes. Worry causes unnecessary stress that can create a whole world of trouble for you! Ultimately, despite your incessant worries - everything is always working out in your favor. Always. Even if it doesn't seem like it at first.

-Trusting that All Is Well can seem an impossible feat at times. But this great mystery we call Life is just that - a lovely, impossibly deep yet ridiculously simple, interconnected mysterious web. And All IS Well.

-Love is Medicine.