Sometimes we have such rigid views of what is possible for us that we stop ourselves from becoming theperson we want to be.
I used to say “I have no upper body strength.” One day during the teacher training I decided this was no longer the story I wanted to tell myself. So I instead started saying “I’m working on my upper body strength” or “I’m working on getting stronger.” This did not immediately make me The Hulk. However, it did change the story that I created. Once I said I was working on my upper body strength, I did just that. Instead of not even trying because I didn’t believe it would ever be happen, I let it be a possibility.
The stories we tell ourselves are powerful. It was completely true that I did not have upper body strength. It was a fact. The problem is, as long as I saw the situation that way, I did not give myself permission to change it. It wasn’t until I came up with a true but positive statement that I could allow myself to progress.
This lesson has been helpful off the mat as well. Recently I have been working on my issue of envy towards my friends for the great qualities I perceive in them that I would love to have. The story in my head was “I am a envious person.” That may be true, but I would rather not be. I would rather be happy and excited for my friends. Which I am. So whenever I feel that little thought of envy, I say to myself “I am happy for my friend.” And then I examine why it is I might want whatever it is that I’m feeling envious of and frame a sentence around that as well, such as “I am my own person.”
It is not magic. It sounds outrageous, to just talk yourself into more positivity. It is outrageous. It’s outrageous that we tell ourselves such horrible things over and over. It’s outrageous that instead of creating new stories each and every day, we get stuck in the old ones with seemingly no way out. It is outrageous we block ourselves from becoming the people we would most like to be.
For me being able to do an arm balance isn’t about impressing my friends (though I do like that little bonus), it is about proving to myself that I have the power to change my outlook and therefore the power to change my life. It’s not magic, but it is miraculous.
What are you stopping yourself from achieving? Are the stories in your head helping or hindering the person you would like to become?
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Excellent insights and post! Thank you for sharing 🙂
You are welcome!
Is it ironic that I envy your upper body strength and ablity to do arm balances? You are such a fantastic person! I too am “working on my upper body strength.” Hopefully I will have success like you!
Thanks! And you will be. What I really learned is that I don’t even care so much if I ever get there, but feeling totally open to the possibility is what has changed my life.
Love this…is exactly the reason why I began yoga in the first place! What I have learned and gained mentally is more beneficial than the physical. I now see the physical purely as an extra positive!
needed to hear this quote this morning 🙂 thank you!
I, too, am working on upper body strength–and strength in general. The hardest things are the most rewarding in many ways. It’s so exciting when you make even a little bit of progress!
Brilliant post and a brilliant picture, thanks for sharing =)
Thank you. This is one of the best lessons yoga has taught me about life!