There is something to be said for creating a daily sustainable routine. Ancient Sages from Patanjali to Buddha practiced and shared the wisdom in creating a practice/routine in life.
“Mere philosophy will not satisfy us. We cannot reach the goal by mere words alone. Without practice, nothing can be achieved.”― Sri S. Satchidananda, The Yoga Sutras.
It's human nature to have a routine, it creates familiarity, comfort and physiologically a routine keeps your nervous system in check. Though sometimes a routine never changes and may lead to frustration of not moving forward, feeling stuck and doing the same thing repeatedly. Igniting "self-awareness" of your routine by becoming a witness to your own habits opens you up to new perspectives, curiosity and self-understanding. Awareness is the key to your growth, learning and achievements. If you want more in your life awareness of your routine is essential.
My own awareness started in 2001. I was in my early 20's and was feeling sluggish, tired, constantly agitated. I witnessed that my day started with me jumping out of bed, taking a quick shower, not eating breakfast and rushing down the highway only to get stuck in traffic, irritated and then being late for work, then found myself agitated for the rest of the day and also 30 pounds overweight. I did this repeatedly. Tomorrow, Monday I'll start I’ll wake up early, start the new diet, study, catch up on training for work. Each day, I pushed all that I was going to do to the next day and the next day and the next day.
Finally, I was fed up and I remember crying on my couch and asking what I needed to do to feel great! I read in an article that night from one of the many health magazines scattered around my house and it said, "become aware of your habit and "change one thing". So, in the morning, I woke up one hour early. The alarm went off. I inched off the bed and at that moment I decided to do my 3-mile evening jog. After my jog, I found I had plenty of time to enjoy a long hot shower, make breakfast and leave 20 minutes earlier!
I drove down the highway enjoying music and felt so calm. I took my time putting my blinker on smoothly turned into the parking with patience and found a spot close up! I walked into the office and clocked in with a smile. From one simple change to my routine It became a new habit, which lead to the desire for more change. I eager to learn more about my own career growth. I began to play sports again and up'd my running time and PR.
As the years went on this desire for more seeped into my spiritual growth through yoga and meditation. This all changed for me from that one simple change, waking up one hour early.
I share this with message with you because I see so many make drastic changes or restrictions only to revert back to old patterns, only to feel exhausted, worn down which often leads to resentment, distrust, lack of clarity, anxiety and depression.
I understand, my old habits lead me to a panic attack and anxiety that was crippling for me. My vision was to be healthy, fit, confident and successful. I have found through my own experience and the experience of my clients that it starts with awareness and one simple change. How to you stick to the one change? Start Strong and Equip Yourself.
1. Start Strong-From the very first step in the morning, how you start of the day is the first action, step to moving forward (literally). Strong is expressed physically, mentally and spiritually. Start strong with a physical routine of walking, drinking water first thing or starting with a meditation or prayer. Start strong by setting a positive intention and outlook on the day.
2. Equip Yourself: You have gotten to where you are today through learning, experiences and habits you have created. Equip yourself with even more knowledge, how and why the change you made affects you. Read up on what you want to create for your life and learn the science, the psychology behind change for it empowers you even more to continue to make healthy choices for yourself and your family. The more equipped you through knowledge and the practice, the more confidence you gain. Equip yourself with the right people and who you surround yourself with. Equip yourself with daily breathing practices and little moments of movement and exercise so you can keep the blood flowing, the circulation going which is key to mental clarity, focus and well-being.
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra says: “Study thy self, discover the divine” II.44
Why do I share this with you?
Because YOUR WORTH IT. You are on this planet to live your best life, give your best and support others along the way. I believe in you and through your own awareness of your daily routine, identifying what IS working and what is keeping you held back, you now have the power and control to change, to move forward, to achieve, to make a difference to release and let go any thoughts, emotions or patterns that don’t serve YOUR PURPOSE!
Start strong, equip yourself, your worth it and Get Ready to TAKE ON THE WORLD!
Jenny Lind
Yoga Therapist & Reiki Master
Are you seeking a new perspective and new practices for your spiritual growth?
Send me an email: jenny@infinitewellco.com