What to do while waiting to discover your life's purpose

FINALLY.  I finally had the chance to catch-up by phone this afternoon with one of the smartest, most energetic, creative, funniest (and also fun-est which isn't a word but she's super fun!) women I know and am lucky enough to have as an amazing friend.  One of the things that always makes me shake my head in wonder at is how through time and space, we can be on the same telepathic wavelength.  Out of the blue I'll be thinking that I really need to catch up with her...and the next morning, I'll have a text from her saying "we need to catch up".

When we do finally create a time to catch up, it's so incredibly uplifting.  We do a check-in to see who needs to go first, then we're off.  Talking, laughing, musing, figuring, plotting.  The best part is when we get to the kernel of something that we've been wrestling with on our own but got stuck in.  It's such a gift to have someone who can add their brainwaves to your own to think about possibilities for "what's next?".

The idea of how to find your life's purpose has been a recurring part of our discussions over the years.  Sometimes we're moving so fast we can't think about what else it is that we should be doing.  Sometimes we have too much time on our hands and not enough answers.  In our conversation today, she made this amazing statement that just made me think again about how brilliant she is.  She's in a place right now where she has time available and wants to know - NOW - what is her life's purpose.  She's been watching, waiting, following a few things, but nothing is emerging.  So what she said was this:  "Eventually I know that all of these random orbs will draw together and the purpose will appear.  Until then, I'll keep putting myself in situations to create more orbs.  So, if today there are 10,000, then I'll create 50,000 and there will be more likelihood that they will come together."  It's that perspective that I just love about her!

If you are searching to discover your Dharma, your life's purpose, instead of just waiting,  make more orbs...and catch up with a great friend.
Namaste

Situation "Meltdown"

Scene:  Command center of a submarine, middle of the Indian Ocean, depth 1500 feet.
Scenario:  Routine mission, all systems appear to be functioning normally, just a "day in the life", when...
Action:  A *ping* is heard in the command center and a tiny *blip* slings across the green screen.  The sonar officer checks the status of the equipment.

"Everything appears to be functioning normally", he reports matter-of-factly to the Commanding Officer.  For a moment, all attention is focused on the sonar screen waiting to see if another *blip* occurs.  Eyebrow raised, the XO issues the order.   "Run routine diagnostics and report."

"Acknowledged.  Sir, pressure in tanks appear to be at critical levels and rising.  All missiles are engaged and hot.   We appear to be at full alert and on the verge of an imminent meltdown!!  There were no warnings.  The command center was not notified that there was a "situation" in progress.  Orders, sir, we need orders now!"

And then, the command that the crew dreads:  "EMERGENCY BLOW...NOW!"  aahh-ooogga  aahh-ooogga  <red lights circle the control room as a flurry of activity begins>  With one last hesitation, the sonar officer hits the button and with a rapid blow, releases all ballast from the tanks.  The result is an immediate, rapid ascent and an impressive display of waterworks as the sub suddenly breaches the surface of the normally placid blue sea.

End Scene.

And that, my friends, is how an Emotional Meltdown occurs.  Seemingly out of the blue, it is really the result of an escalation of emotions that are being managed below the surface.  As little things come up, we poke a cork into the tiny leaks as they spring up.  And the internal pressure starts to build.  We tell ourselves that we can handle it...it will settle down in time.  Then, something (or somethings) pops up on another front...at work or at home or in a relationship or somewhere else in our life.  Another cork and the pressure gauge goes up.  Symptoms that "somethings up" get brushed aside.  *ping* Not sleeping well = lots of things to do.  *blip* Headache = lots to think about.  *ping*blip* Nervous stomach = just anxious about trying something new.

Yoga is about aligning our inner and outer selves.  Asana practice links our physical body with our emotions. I first experienced this link when doing "Torturasana" (as we fondly call the Intense and Torturous Quad Stretch at the Wall) and the emotions of agitation and anger that came up for me.  I had noticed in Savasana before...to some extent...when I would feel anxious and my mind would wind its way through a maze to find the source.  But this time, once the corks started popping out, baby, there was no stuffing them back in (not that I didn't give it a completely ineffective try).  Grace lead me to a time and place to be wrapped in love and support when *splat* I hit the wall with an "impressive display of waterworks".  That's what yoga gives us.  Support that needs no thanks.  Friends that mop up the waterworks.  Warm hugs that pop the corks at just the right time and in just the right place to help us get through something we didn't know how to manage through on our own.  Yoga shows us the way.

Namaste

I Wanna Be an M&M

You know how M&Ms are hard and crunchy on the outside...beautifully colored shells, perfectly shaped, protecting their soft, chocolate-y innards?  That's what I want to be.  And, I believe in my fudgey little heart, yoga will get me there.

Muscular energy -- hugging muscle to the bone, drawing energy in.  Organic energy -- brightly radiating energy out.  Inner and outer spiral to build a solid foundation.  That's the colorful candy shell.

But it's the opening to Grace...that's where the sweetness is.  Without grace, we'd all just be crunchy little shells.  

Put it all together...it's delish!  And, yep, I wanna be a green one.
Namaste