If you've been reading my blog for a while (For those of who are still coming back, I thank you deeply, considering I've posted four times in the last six months, which I completely blame on the baby! HA!), you're aware of my spiritual journey. I've been making a concerted effort to focus on the blessings in my life versus dwelling in the negative, which has truly made a difference in how much more wonderful my life becomes every day.
But then, (sh)it happens. I get derailed and have a day where everything seems to be going wrong. I just keep focusing and rehashing it and telling the horrible details to everyone who will listen, or perhaps who I force to hear my sad tale. Well, I'm completely guilty of acting in this manner the other day. No matter what I tried, I couldn't let the problem go. It even woke me up at 2 a.m., and considering I have a six-month old who has been waking us up for the past few weeks at 3 a.m., this was even that much more annoying! Yet, I couldn't seem to put the brakes on spewing and stewing about it.
In the middle of all this "static in my attic", as Baron Baptiste likes to say in his yoga practices, I've been reading a book called "Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the path of Yoga." For every day of the year, it has a quote and blurb while it progressively moves through the eight limbs of yoga. I'm on the sixth limb, dharana, which is concentration. The thought I read today was so powerful for me, especially considering all my "barking" - this will seem funnier once you read more. ;) Promise.
But then, (sh)it happens. I get derailed and have a day where everything seems to be going wrong. I just keep focusing and rehashing it and telling the horrible details to everyone who will listen, or perhaps who I force to hear my sad tale. Well, I'm completely guilty of acting in this manner the other day. No matter what I tried, I couldn't let the problem go. It even woke me up at 2 a.m., and considering I have a six-month old who has been waking us up for the past few weeks at 3 a.m., this was even that much more annoying! Yet, I couldn't seem to put the brakes on spewing and stewing about it.
In the middle of all this "static in my attic", as Baron Baptiste likes to say in his yoga practices, I've been reading a book called "Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the path of Yoga." For every day of the year, it has a quote and blurb while it progressively moves through the eight limbs of yoga. I'm on the sixth limb, dharana, which is concentration. The thought I read today was so powerful for me, especially considering all my "barking" - this will seem funnier once you read more. ;) Promise.
There was a story about a Native American who talked about his internal struggles as being a good dog and a bad dog, and the good one is usually trying to chase the other away. Someone asked him who wins the most, and he said,"The one I'm feeding the most at the time."
I guess the "woof's" on me! Such a strong illustration. By concentrating so strongly on the negative or my bad dog, I was feeding it and growing it, and it was hindering my life (lack of sleep). Plus I couldn't see any solutions by focusing on the negative of the situation. After reading this, my attitude shifted, and it made so much more sense to focus or feed the good in my life. Consequently, the problem that was so major before seemed to fix itself on its own.
So consider your own good and bad dogs today. Being aware of which one you're feeding is a huge first step on the road to a peaceful and joyous life.
So consider your own good and bad dogs today. Being aware of which one you're feeding is a huge first step on the road to a peaceful and joyous life.
7 comments:
I'm trying to become more flexible by using a yoga DVD. I had no idea how stiff I'd become after three babies.
What inspired me to try was a picture a pregger chick sent in to a contest. She was about 8 months along and looked fantastic!
Here's the url for the Pregnant belly pictures contest where the picture is posted. Scroll down and look in the second row. Isn't that incredible?
Is it possible to feed the good dog alone, always? Is it possible to remain positive always?
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Since I had my children, yoga, meditation and writing have been my peace. I have definitely been feeding the bad dog lately thanks to some stressful stuff. The reminder to feed the good dog is definitely appreciated!
Rajesh,
"Is it possible?" Why not? Shouldn't that be the end goal.
Louise L Hay, one of the leaders in the positive thinking movement, says that she is only able to be positive 80% of the time. It's not easy for sure, my bad dog seems to be very hungry.
Anonymous, you took the words right out of my mouth! Like she said, LLH, one of the leading people in today's movement to use your thinking to help you live a better life even fesses up to only being positive 80 percent of the time.
So, no it may not ALWAYS be possible Rajesh to feed the good dog alone, but just being aware that you're not, can make all the difference.
You have a very nice blog...!!!
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Very Nice Blog indeed..!!!
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