Karma was the subject of my yoga teacher’s yoga teachers talk a few months ago. He describes karma as the end result that our choices in life have on our life over the years.
For example, if we always slouch, we eventually develop round shoulders. (Everyone in the room sat up straighter. ) He talked about how the simple act of standing in tadasana or mountain pose helps to improve our posture as well as open up our heart.
There are many things that we can choose to effect our karma. We can choose to stay calm and loving rather than upset and reactive. ( It takes lots of practice!) We can choose to forgive ourselves if we occasionally do react and then replay the scene in our head with the way we want to react next time.
Take time during the day to think about how lucky and blessed we are. Focus on on the haves in your life instead of the have nots. As we listen to all the news about the economy, try and focus on what we do have that is good. Sometimes we just need to bring that feeling of gratitude into our day and let others know how lucky we are in this very moment.
We can start to change our diet. Purchasing foods that have no pesticides or antibiotics is a way to start. Try to cut sugar from our diet. Try to cut out processed foods. Drink less caffeine. Eat more fruits and vegetables.
We can get more exercise. Walk somewhere instead of driving. Use the stairs instead of the elevator. Find a yoga class. Go out dancing. Ride you bicycle.
Take time to breath. Take some slow deep breaths. Calm you body. Know that we are all breathing the very same air. We share the air we breathe with everyone on this planet.
Laugh. I had a woman tell me that she imagines smiley faces in her arteries and veins. It makes me chuckle just to think of it. I imagine breathing in smiley faces then breathing them out to other people.
Sit up straight at your desk. I find it so so so much easier to slouch. I see that my shoulders are rounding and when I do sit up straight they are still rounding. But I will keep working on it.
Say hello to a stranger. Make a lunch date with a friend you have not seen in awhile. Try to listen to every word someone else says.
Watch Bill Nye the science guy. Pay attention to how our choices effect our planet. Can changing our habits save our planet? My son drinks from a sigg metal bottle. He does not buy plastic bottles for water anymore. I finally ordered one for myself today. I am trying not to use paper towels.
I am trying not to leave the water running when I rinse dishes or when I brush my teeth.
Have you heard that sugar causes wrinkles? Maybe that is why I have so many. I love chocolate.
Pesticides on our food can cross the blood brain barrier and effect our brain. Maybe that is why we see so many older people with dementia…. now where did I put my car keys???
Whatever choices you make today, and tomorrow, I hope that you remember to have fun. Remember that your choices may not be right for everyone.
Blessings, Eileen