Love Life

“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.” ― Mother Teresa

(Photo courtesy of http://thinkpositive30.com/blog/2011/10/11/love-life/)

You’ve probably heard it at least a time or two, that life is what you make of it, so better make it a good one. I know that personally, I’ve heard it hundreds of times, and I’m sure I’ve probably rolled my eyes some of the times that someone has tried to get through to me with those words.

But I’ll tell ya…it really is true. No, seriously…don’t roll your eyes as you read this! 🙂

Based on the goals I’ve set for myself for 2014, I’ve been working extra hard these past few weeks to do what I set out to do for this year in terms of my health and wellness. Meditating, finding creative ways to work through obstacles, letting go of fear and trusting that God’s got my back no matter what, practicing yoga more regularly, etc., etc.

It hasn’t necessarily been a walk in the park, as things are definitely busy for me and stressful…but I am doing what I need to do because it matters so much to me. I want to get back to the Melanie I know I am…the positive, “always seeing the positive side of things” woman I know I am meant to be.

Frankly, over the past couple of years, I feel like I’ve been wallowing in so much self pity due to my health issues. I am amazed that anyone has even wanted to be around me at all! Maybe I’m not coming across to others as “doom and gloom” as I think I am, but either way, it’s definitely how I’ve felt the majority of the time.

I don’t know exactly how it happened, but everything has been changing since I set my goals for 2014. I guess I finally am tired of feeling sorry for myself…and to be honest, I think feeling sorry for myself has only made things worse. So I have been working hard in my yoga, my meditation, the way I eat, the way I exercise…and it’s paying off. This past week, I really started noticing a difference. I feel more energetic, I feel happier and healthier. For the first time in MONTHS, I was able to do a 45-minute Vinyasa practice that was very challenging, and I didn’t have to take a break or really do any modifications…that’s a BIG DEAL for me!

Most of all, I’ve noticed that for the first time in a long time, I really feel like I love my life. I am so thankful for the support of my family, as they have had to deal with so much from me these past few years. I am also very thankful for the support of my friends and my students. Knowing that so many people are rooting for me gives me the strength to push through when I feel like giving up. My wonderful yoga teachers, whether they know it or not, give me that same strength, because they always remind me that as long as I am listening to my body, I am right where I need to be.

I love the quote above from Mother Teresa. It’s a great reminder that life is a mixture of good and bad, and it’s how we choose to deal with both that determines whether it’s a life lived well. I know where I stand…I choose to appreciate the good things and learn from the challenging things so that I can be the person God intended for me to be. What about you?

Namaste,

Melanie