WTH - Acceptance and Appreciation
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Last week, I encountered a new level of newness - one more reminder of Brene Brown's FFTs that caused some tech glitches. If you didn't catch my Thursday Thoughts, I hope you pop back to read that before you eagerly dive into this week's post.
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As week five comes to a close on our closed-in, stay-at-homeness, we’re all trying to sustain the sustaining. Have you noticed the rhythm continues to ebb and flow? Or that the effort to find steady ground is a bit un-steady? Maybe it’s a good day/rough day thing, but it seems like it’s more hour-to-hour. I've heard from single parents who haven't had a moment to themselves in weeks and older folks who live along who haven't physically touched another human in weeks. And I've chatted with those who have more breathing under their roof and are just trying to get through each day. Just when we have a bit of a rhythm, it changes. If you’re lucky enough to be staying home, it can be hard to appreciate this rhythm.
Finding ways to help (WTH) with the fluidity and unpredictability has become one of the constants of this confinement. For some, “managing” this looks like heads down into a book, a puzzle, sleep, art, or work. For others, it's more outward to focus on how to help the legions of people who need our support or material items. I'm sure there are a zillion other ways people are sorting out how to help themselves and others. What’s working for you?
I want to pop onto my metaphorical yoga mat for a bit to explore how santosha is a WTH.
In the yoga world, we have the Yamas and Niyamas, just like other faith cultures have their dos and don'ts for life. Santosha is the second of the Niaymas (the don'ts) and in a nutshell, it's about acceptance and contentment.
Stay with me. I am well aware that acceptance and contentment feel like hard feelings to wrap our heads around right now. Consider this interpretation of Santosha:
Santosha or 'contentment' doesn't mean idly sitting back and relinquishing the need to do anything. It simply means accepting and appreciating what we have and what we are already, and moving forwards from there.
Back to the new now.
Accepting that everything has turned upside down, and we're in uncharted waters. We're inside. We're wearing face masks. We're crammed in the nooks and crannies of our house, or we're missing others we love, like or tolerate. But if we can take a moment to appreciate and savor what we have, we can begin to move forward.
We've got what we need inside us to weather this torrential sh*%storm. Many are struggling economically, with their health and/or with food insecurity (and let's be clear, this is dangerous Bermuda Triangle that is interconnected). One of the ways I am practicing santosha is the appreciation for the kinds of outreach I've witnessed. People who:
add a tip to grocery delivery or the driver that arrives not with food, but a cheerful attitude and ginormous smile (True story - we had an old guy deliver us Chipolte as his first delivery. He called to make sure he had the right order and to say he was on his way. He proudly called again when he arrived. His pride and sense of purpose was a contagious sense of contentment and appreciation!)
dropping off at food pantries or helping distribute meals at our local schools
signs in windows and pots and pans banged to tell healthcare workers we see and love them
family members who let me sulk around in the moments I need to and make me laugh when I need to do that
We’ve got to stick together to accept this new now and find a path forward. Let's try to find some gentle acceptance for what is right now. To accept this new now., with all it’s ups and downs, good moments and rough moments. Let’s try to appreciate the small things, we're typically too busy to see, feel, and experience.
If you're feeling like it's hard to feel whatever you are feeling right now, moving helps. Go for a walk, dance around, hug your quarantine buddy or pet.
If you're a yogi or want to try from the anonymity of your own space, why don't you join me Thursday at 7:30 pm for a yin yoga and yoga Nidra class? Sign ahead of time - details below. You can move and feel your body, or you can tell your family your practicing and just take this time to recline on your mat an appreciate and accept this time for yourself.
Until then, be gentle with yourself. Accept and appreciate what you can.
Stay home.
Stay safe.
Register for Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra with me hosted by Blue Lotus Yoga. Click on "book a live class" and scroll to Thursday. Be sure to check your email about 15 minutes before for the login details. Hope to see you on your mat!
