A story about courage and common humanity
| My dearest readers, Long time ago we ‘spoke’. Personal matters asked for more of my attention and energy, and in situations like these my father always reminds me to slow down, keep it simple and come back to what’s really essential. Coincidentally (or not?) completely in line with the energy and rhythm of autumn season! And so I took it easy for a bit, cocooned where necessary, took good care where needed, and all the while reminding myself: nothing in nature blooms all year. So why should we? Nonetheless, I can’t be more excited to crawl into my digital pen again to share and connect with you. In pandemic times like these I feel little love notes – or blogs – that gently remind you to take care, embrace your humanness and connect from a place of authenticity, are incredibly important. So here I am again, reaching out to you, hoping to bring a smile or tear to the face, a warmth to the heart or bring awareness to the simple recognition that we are all human. We’re all the same. A message that can’t be spread enough in this current state of the world and society, that easily falls into opposition and division. We unite in our imperfections, our messiness and vulnerabilities, our joys and hopes, our fear and not-knowing. And with that in mind, let me share a short story. One about courage in tough times. For real strength arises from daring to be vulnerable. Allowing yourself to be seen – by yourself and the world – just as you are. A while ago, my friend lost a loved one due to COVID. A hard time began for her. Yet, a few days later she rolled out her mat and showed up for my Yin yoga class. It touched me, quite deeply. Because let’s face it: showing up is not always easy. Especially not when your inner world feels like a wind storm, where challenging feelings like grief, sadness, anxiety, insecurity, groundlessness or numbness are swirling around. Or when you’re going for a slow-paced and meditative practice, like Yin. ‘Cause when there is nothing much to do – like in Yin – you are left with only one option: to be with what is. But what if what’s here feels really uncomfortable, painful or scary? Well, foremost, I would suggest to go easy on yourself, making sure you are on your own side, feeling held by your own tenderness. And trust me: I know this is a tough cookie! Especially when your loud and chatty inner critic is not afraid to take over the show. But hey, we can practise holding space for ourselves. Again, and again, and again… And when we do, we are much more able to explore how to lay out the welcome mat for our friend, called sadness. We get to bring our own soothing attention to grief. We learn to sit with our naked vulnerability. And that isn’t always pleasurable or what we are most pulled to do. Nor easy. But the good news is: self-care or healing doesn’t always need to be. There is a good chance that big emotions, mental distractions and a feeling of restlessness were part of my friend’s yoga session that day. God knows how many times I have shed a tear myself during a Yin practice! But ‘the feels’ were being felt, the sorrow attended to, the soul cleansed. One baby step at a time. And that’s why I feel deep respect for not only my friend, but everyone that chooses to show up for themselves – in whichever form – especially when it’s difficult. The ones that choose to lean into discomfort, when running away into distraction or numbing would have been so much easier. In both our yoga practice and daily living. The brave ones that tend to their self-care, because they know and understand that this is the only way to be able to take better care of others and society. So, dear ones, here’s to courage: the strength of the heart. Because that’s what self-care sometimes requires. The courage to be cracked open, so that you can allow yourself to be filled up with grace and humbleness. Knowing that from this place of softness, new strength is about to rise like a phoenix. Pretty awesome, isn’t it? So let’s keep showing up for ourselves, however we may feel: vulnerable or strong. Sad or cheerful. Tired or energized. Remembering that courage doesn’t have to be a giant move and it can mean something different for everyone: from following the subtle nudges of your body, to following a long-held dream. And let’s be fair: simply going about daily life in these crazy times, is a hell of a courageous thing! 🙂 Whoever you are, wherever this letter finds you: I see you, I feel you, I honor your softness, and therefore: your strength. 💛 With love, Melanie |
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SOL - Yoga with Melanie 