The Challenge of Contentedness

Having a pimm's cup of course.

I know, I know, you've heard it before, but this is my soapbox.  This is what I'm teaching right now.  This is the biggest lesson I learned in my 2 week training with Jason Crandell.  You can be content and still envision more.

While in London, I had the pleasure of having dinner with a great friend whom I don't see near as often as I'd like.  It happens that way when you live in different countries.  We talked about our lives.  I said how much I enjoy my family and spending time with my kid and my husband.  I explained how I thoroughly enjoy teaching yoga and having only a handful of classes a week, and that I don't ever want to become a yoga 'celebrity'.  I don't have that drive, I want to get people to love yoga, to be happy with themselves, and to be kind and empathetic humans.  I also mentioned that besides being a good mother, wife, and yoga teacher, I didn't have much else on the horizon.  And despite once having a promising career in science, I had no grand plans for saving the world or inventing the next wheel.  

She then asked what I was learning in my training, and I over-enthusiastically talked about all the alignment and anatomy we were learning and the multitude of things that had changed since my teacher training back in 2009. 
Despite not seeing her often, and not being in touch between visits, she says to me, matter of factly,  <<You should study more anatomy, physiology and how the muscles and bones work.  What about physical therapy?>>  Of course, why didn't I think of that.  I have a degree in science and seriously considered being a medical doctor, but I get a bit squeamish around bodily fluids and needles, so that was out.  I didn't want a PhD in science, it made the possibilities too narrow.  But with a PT degree, I could teach yoga with an intimate understanding of how the body works.  I could really teach yoga to every body.

I'm not yet carving in stone a 5 year plan with physical therapist degree on the list, but it's certainly penciled in.  And there's a lot more to this story, but I realized that being truly content where I am in my life (and my practice) -right now- doesn't mean that I can't or shouldn't accept challenges and -expand my vision of what is possible.  

Challenge. Accepted.  

If you follow my facebook, I posted a few weeks ago that I feel extremely lucky to have so many good friends in so many places.  This is what I was talking about.  How fortunate I am to have such a wise, intelligent, motivating and engaging friend.  Thank you universe!  

Also, I found this quote, which is, well, awsomesauce (yes, that is now officially a word).  

"Life is a journey.  It is about change, growth, discovery, movement, transformation, continuously expanding your vision of what is possible, stretching your soul, learning to see clearly and deeply, listening to your intuition, taking courageous challenges at every step along the way.  You are on the path... exactly where you are meant to be right now... And from here, you can only go forward, shaping your life story into a magnificent tale of triumph, of healing, of courage, of beauty, of wisdom, of power, of dignity, and of love."  -Caroline Adams

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