Lifes Speed Bumps

Four hours of happenings on a recent day:

• The microwave arced and died.
• A set of notarized papers did not arrive and are seemingly untraceable for 6 more days – long past when they are required.
• I show up for a standing self-care appt to find out it was not scheduled for 2025
• The line to return something was 40+ minutes long – I opt out.

And as I opt out, returning to home, I self-care with a long Yoga Nidra. It helps me return closer to my baseline. A lingering edginess continues to hoover, however, and I know more self-care is needed in higher doses over the next 48 hours, including some alone time in nature. So, reassessing the list of to-dos and prioritizing BEing, time is scheduled that I commit to for just that.

Can you relate to some of this? The unexpected hiccups that are part of life’s way of showing us that planning does not mean we are in control (thankfully!)? That another plan is at work, and that we get pushed to the edge and sometimes, yes, beyond, it is necessary to step back and assess.

While I will not presume to know what it is like for you, when I find myself moving into the breaking (beyond edgy) zone, my thinking energy (aka the mind) just loves to subliminally take over with messages like ‘woe is me,’ ‘that is really messed up’ and ‘how could this happen to me?’ and the like. This attitude that serves none, except maybe ego (the roommate in my head) shows up in my interactions. These are with less grace and kindness to others and towards myself, with less patience, with a lack of recognition of going with the flow.

At this point in the journey it is helpful for me to invite some humor (if I can possible muster such up), and consider this is the path I’ve chosen and all this bumps along the way are put there to help me see and slow down. All this mornings hiccups are like speed bumps on a street – they are designed to invite a slowing down, a pause, a reset and perhaps just some more rest.

Our tolerance and scope of acceptance ebbs and flows, it deepens with daily practice, self-reflection and, difficult as it may seem, a willingness to prioritize time such that our soul, our essence, our BEing is served.

We develop sustaining practices so that when these ‘four hours’ occur, we can see for what they are and re-navigate that day’s, and yes, life’s landscape.

We each create and explore what works for us at this season. One option to consider is a regular Yoga Nidra practice, another is movement, time in nature, outdoor pauses or movement (if weather permits) and connecting with ourself and others. An upcoming offering starting Feb. 4th, based on the Yoga of Relationships book, is an invitation to dive in, connect and reconnect. More details are here. Consider joining me for this intimate small group experience online.