A Lifetime Can Happen in One Moment

When I first began practicing yoga 24 years ago, it was limited to a momentary experience occurring only when I rolled out my mat. In the beginning, I didn’t know there was anything beyond that. I didn’t know that behind the yoga postures, was a philosophy that greatly influences how we live and experience life. It took time, but I gradually began to connect with myself in a way I hadn't known possible, and it led me to understand what it really means to just be.  

Except for weekly sessions with my private clients, I took the summer off from teaching. Our family went through a major life transition this year, ending our businesses, saying goodbye to family and friends, and moving to a new state! I’ve used this time to reflect upon the last few years – everything that led to our decision to move, the multiple layers of preparing for it, and all of the changes we’ve experienced since our arrival. It has been one of the most challenging but equally rewarding times of my life. Nothing of what we did was easy, but I’m grateful for all we learned and experienced along the way. And I’m most grateful for our willingness to take a leap of faith, saying yes to what we wanted in life.

And when I reflect upon all that I have learned in yoga, from my very first class to now, I can see how much it has supported me. For example, all the small leaps of faith I took trying a new pose, a new class, a new teacher, becoming a teacher, opening a studio, etc., all fed my courage to take bigger leaps of faith. And if I had to summarize what I’ve learned in all of these years, I can condense it into three things:

1.      A lifetime can happen in one moment.

There are many times when life feels the same, filled day in and day out with repetitive routines. These are the moments where it is easy to become distracted, lost in our thoughts, and move about on autopilot. Then suddenly, unexpectedly, a moment occurs that feels like a lifetime. It is these moments that can wake us up! Moments we can realize just how profound life is – sacred, magical, and filled with an abundance of miracles happening all the time.

It's our job to show up, to live life in a way that we can enjoy all of it. Then, instead of waiting for lifetime moments, we can see how every moment can be rich and fulfilling.

“Forever is composed of nows.” – Emily Dickinson

2.     Slow down enough to pause.

We move so fast, constantly busy, consumed with all there is to do. We forget the importance of moving slowly, of being, not just doing. And we vastly underestimate the power found in the quiet space of stillness. When we pause, we can see most clearly because we become the observer, seeing everything for what is, not influenced by our movements.

We can see the thread that unites all life together and the divine grace sustaining it. Becoming still gives us space to choose instead of reacting without awareness, It teaches us how to stay, even when it’s uncomfortable. And it is here, where the mind can become quiet.

“The moment you notice silence, the mind becomes still.” -Eckhart Tolle

3.     Live in gratitude.

Whenever I struggle, I immediately fall into gratitude. For me, it's one of the quickest ways to shift my awareness and energy. The more we acknowledge what we are grateful for, the more our hearts are filled. Gratitude fills in the broken cracks and the hollow space where worry and despair reside; renewing hope, faith, and love, and reigniting the flame of our spirit.

Practicing gratitude is profoundly simple, it starts with noticing one thing each day that brings light and happiness into your heart. Person, place, or thing - name one that has brought goodness into your life. Begin this practice when you wake up and when you go to bed, then gradually add more moments throughout your day. Once you name one thing, it leads you to name another, until you discover that what we can be grateful for is limitless. You will find that it’s possible to be grateful throughout the entire day!

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more.” – Melody Beattie