Sometimes yoga really gets to me; it forces me to self-reflect. I have probably been subconsciously avoiding one particular class since the last time I attended because it tends to require a little more introspection that I can sometimes manage. I have never felt more aligned with the face palm emoji than when I drew the ACCEPTANCE angel card in class yesterday. I would have rather gotten up and walked out than meditate on what in my life needed to be offered acceptance. BUT, that’s because I know it needed my attention.
When life is in disarray, it’s second nature to rev up the anxiety, activate the numbing techniques, and stock the cupboards with various forms of CBD and adaptogen products (at least for ME 😬). Ready for war essentially. But what if acceptance of the disarray was part of the journey? What if it’s what would help me get from Point A to Point B? Actually forget any designated points, what if it was the conduit for movement in general?
It’s so easy to get stuck in disarray because we don’t understand what’s happening, things aren’t as clear, we’re stepping out to make a change and do things differently—we’ve disrupted the system. Cue the extensive list of other “what if’s”. This is all new territory so what if I mess up? What if I get lost? What if I make a mistake? What if PEOPLE SEE ME lost and messing up?
Is it better to stand paralyzed in fear of all of the above? Or is it better to accept our journey for its uniqueness, and to accept ourselves and our ability to navigate something only we can truly understand? I’m finding a new connection to myself, and my ability to navigate the challenges that come my way, by allowing myself to ACCEPT the fact that I don’t know. I don’t always have to know. Otherwise I wouldn’t need faith….in anyone or anything. Accept the disarray….it often represents growth and change. Just keep moving.
~Emily Long, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern