BE INSPIRED in 2011!!

CREATE INTENTIONS and WITNESS YOUR TRANSFORMATION

Feel already overwhelmed by the idea of taking on new resolutions... Let go of the resolutions that feel heavy in «i should do», «I have to do this» and «I have to be like that».  More importantly, stay away from those resolutions that, once pronounced, already make you feel like you are carrying unbearable weight of guilt and judgment ready to fall on your head on your first missed step. 

Instead, JUST START WHERE YOU ARE.

This year, CREATE NEW INTENTIONS FOR YOURSELF.  

Setting intentions is certainly more natural than taking on new resolutions that are general and supposed to fit everyone.  Intention stems from freedom and is fueled by goodwill.  Its essence is rooted in your heart and guided by your soul.  And so, rarely will you miss the mark on doing something that’s good for yourself when it comes from that place.  And, if you do miss, when and on any day, than no guilt, no regrets...you just pick up where you left.  And, always start right where your are.  Everytime.  No limits.  Make it your own personal journey.  Take time to assess where you are and why you do it.  Transform your mindset.  Change your language.  Say «I could» or «it would be best if I» instead of saying «i should», «I have to» or «I must do».  This new perspective offers an unlimited potential of personal power and goodwill.  It also presents infite possibilities in choosing your challenges and setting new intentions.  One at a time.  

Notice how fast you achieve your «goals».  You’re probably saying: «You were talking about setting intentions not goals.  Indeed, goal appear, or are «activated», when the intentions are put into actions.  Concrete actions.  One step at a time.  You just need to hold truthfully and simply the intention of doing.  The doing, the action will transform the intention into a goal that’s already being achieved.  Simple.  No fear.  No hesitation.  

Observing yourself in action - your behavior, and listening to your own language - and your voice in your head! - are the first steps of transformation.  Switching the behavior or the speech is the most important step.  It takes the old behavior or speech/language and replaces it with something more useful, beneficial and of the moment.  It’s just like painting a wall with a new color.  You don’t strip the wall.  You keep the same wall and apply a new color.  Nothing is thrown out.  It’s just taking a new program to replace te old one.  So, anytime you catch yourself thinking or saying «I should», «I have to» or «I must», change the tape to the other more empowering statements «it would be best if I», «I could».  It then becomes a matter of choice instead of a paralysing obligation.  The difference subtle between the two and yet so powerful in it’s effect.   

Transformation of a thought pattern or any behavior takes usually a cycle of 21 days of repetition.  The physical body, as well as the mind, transforms and integrates things over a 3-week period or 21 days.  That’s why in a physical training or practice, it’s best to modify the routine every 21 days to trick the body into not settling into comfortable ease.  In a similar way, it takes 21 days to the mind to transform a thought program into a new one, for the body to integrate a new movement, or the body/mind to take on a new behavior to replace an old habit.  In the thought and behavioral process, the key is to OBSERVE without judgment, SWITCH with compassion, and repeat as often as the opportunity presents itself.  Most importantly, BE KIND TO YOURSELF.  Smile in the mirror and laugh to fill your ears with music.

Start with something small.  Experience the journey.  Do it for yourself.

Over a period of time, without any judgement on the quality of your effort, the success of you practicing this new tool, objectively take notice of how all this effects your toughts and actions, and again, start where you are again at that moment.  

Being Present and in the now is exactly that - Starting over and over again.  Starting new, starting fresh.  No expectations.  Just contentment.  Being totally mindful of what you’re doing and where you are.  Be fresh.  Start new.  Create your new and improved you.  Over and over again.  And be content with YOU.  Just do your best.  All the time.  That’s all there is to it.  There’s nowhere to go and nowhere to be else than good within YOU.  Comfortable.  With as much space as possible to be free, explore and welcome new experiences.  Being good in anything you do is doing your best everytime.  Then you’ll know you’re good in everything you do.  No comparisons to anything or anyone.

So, join me in creating your own personal journey everyday this year.  Start breathing.  Adopt a new posture.  Eat healthy everyday - a little or a lot.  Drink water.  Try something new.  Try something YOU would like and something you CHOOSE.

Most of all, HAVE FUN DOING IT.  That’s where I start.

Yoga Love Life to You,

Julie