Mindset Matters
“You need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day. This is a power you can cultivate. If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the mind. That's the only thing that you should be trying to control.”
- Eat Pray Love
Many of us are looking to transform our lives through the practice of yoga, but in order to truly bring about the change we seek, we need to practice more than just the physical postures used in yoga. One can practice these poses everyday and still feel something is missing, such as that peace and happiness feeling we hear is found through yoga. Below are some ways to get started in changing our mindset in order to bring forth that personal change we seek.
Accepting yourself for all that you are
This is a reminder that you are so blessed with the body and mind that you have today! By accepting who we are, we become more aware of what (or whom) may be limiting our path to self growth. We are able to see where we need to make the right changes.
Letting go of needing to control
When we fall asleep at night, we are letting go and let our mind/bodies relax into sleep. This is also fitting for most circumstances in life - sometimes we just need to trust and let go of the need to control in situations. When we let go of control, our mind and body is able to experience the healing that it needs.
The way out, is in
Sometimes we may look for reasons why we can’t make changes that we know will be good for us, or we may look for reasons why we just can’t let go of our fears, resentments, negative thoughts, etc. Not everyone may resonate with that at this moment in time of reading, but still, one of the greatest challenges is going inward and really getting to know ourselves. Sometimes this can include healing certain emotions that could be due to past experiences or trauma. In this vulnerable but transformative action, we can ask ourselves questions such as, "How am I really doing? What are my triggers? What am I like when I am being triggered? What can I do to help myself during those moments of being triggered?" In time, the more we get to know ourselves and reflect on where we are and how we want to feel, the closer we get to inner and outer healing.
Change the way you look at things
By changing our perspectives, we’re looking at the usual but with a fresh set of eyes. Sometimes, we may even notice that some challenges or obstacles we’ve encountered were created within ourselves. It is a humbling but maturing process.
Retrain your way of thinking
We have molded our way of thinking by our experiences in life, what we’ve been taught throughout the years, and what we’ve gotten used to. Like an onion, we need to peel back these layers that include our fears, self destructive thoughts or negative ways of thinking so that we can get to the core of our being. Replace these layers with new layers; the kind that will uplift the soul with encouragement to be our highest, greatest good.
Trust your inner teacher
By peeling back these layers we can get to the core of our being, where our soul and inner self lie. Our soul wants to be heard, we just need to listen. We can learn from several books, teachers, gurus, but at the end of the day our inner teacher knows what’s best for us.
“The soul always knows what to do to heal itself, the challenge is to silence the mind.”
-Carolyn Myss
Stay present with patience
Keep your mind focused on the present, not on the past or the future. Stay patient with yourself and always send positive, loving attention to your mind and body. Practice meditation to get started. Growth and personal revolution doesn’t happen overnight, but keep the faith and it will come before you know it.
Do more of what makes you happy
Make an effort to do at least 5 things that you love each day, and if you can’t do that, make a journal (internally or externally) and write down 5 things that you are grateful for. Keep a list of goal(s) for yourself to look forward to each day. Make affirmations to repeat to yourself in the morning and at night. Meditate. Do some yoga. Go for a walk. Practice deep breathing. Hug someone!
Making the decision
Make the decision to keep this change, decide to make it a commitment. Everyday we have the choice to work on our own growth. 💛
“Change your thoughts and you can change your world.”- Norman Vincent Peale