I read an article in my latest Yoga Journal magazine last night about karma, written by Sally Kempton. It was a great lesson in taking responsibility for your own decisions and actions. But one particular bit of advice has rang in my ears all day. She said that instead of beating yourself up about an area where you are experiencing negativity, "...why not simply remind yourself that you're learning how to handle a part of life that's been difficult for you?" Say to yourself, "This is an area where I'm in training."
Sometimes it can feel like we make the same mistakes over and over and over again, usually because we do. But instead of getting down about it and feeling like sinking instead of swimming, we should be a little more understanding with ourselves.
In my quest to be more true to myself, I have found that there are parts of who I am that I am not happy with. There are deeply rooted habits and tendencies in all of us that we need to shed some light on instead of hoping the shadows cover them. I, personally, have a tendency to be bitter, which can lead to hurting peoples feeling or not sharing in their joy the way that I should. Being bitter shuts me off from the world and alienates the people around me. I also have a deep desire for attention. This little trait can cause all sorts of trouble, from being too flirty to feeling entitled and expecting too much.
Instead of locking myself in the house or plastering on a fake smile, I want to get to the bottom of these habits and try to genuinely change them. I don't want to sink in my own doom. I want to learn to swim against those currents and overcome those deeply rooted habits that hold me back from being the person that I am truly meant to be.
So, I invite you to do a little searching of your own self. What traits or habits would you like to work on? Being honest with yourself is the first step to change. The second step is realizing that we are all in some sort of "training". Be patient, but be diligent. We can all become better people if we truly try. And I truly want to try.
*photo from here.
3 comments:
I'm far too picky. I pick stuff that people say and I imagine that it makes people feel like shit. And by people, I mean mostly my parents because it's the people you're closest to that you do these things to generally, isn't it? I regret it as soon as the words are out of my mouth and hate myself for doing it. But I just keep on doing it. Ugh. I am going to try to lay off. No-one's perfect.
I learned to believe Karma through experiences in lives. Though I am a Catholic but Karma guides my actions in life. It makes my life peaceful.
This is one of the biggest gifts you can give to yourself, embodying growth.
Yeah!!! :)
xoxox,
A
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