Love Your People

"Whoever is in your life, those who harm you, those who help you, those whom you know, and those whom you do not know - Let them off the hook. Help them off the hood. Recognize the hook." - Leonard Cohen

Ever since I signed up for my YTT (November is getting SO close!) I have been taking as many yoga classes as I can - Analyzing everything each teacher does, and even trying to memorize my favorite sequences! The classes I have been to so far have been amazing in their own ways, and have allowed me to soak up some great teaching techniques.

When I went to Power Class yesterday with a couple of my friends, I went in with the same straight forward approach - A serious approach, ready to learn! Teach me, I'm ready, go! But I noticed something a little different as I realized the instructor seemed distraught. It took her a few minutes to say anything.

As she sat in front of us, her face was emoting something I felt familiar with. She eventually started to explain how she had recently lost someone extremely close in her life. He had taken his own life, and she had just came back from his funeral. How amazing that she was going through something so difficult, and was still able to sit in front of us and inspire us. She told us, "love your people" and she read us the quote from above by Leonard Cohen. Beautiful.

Those who know me well, know that I lost my uncle in May of this year. He was 4 years older than me, more my brother than anything else. Too young to go. He suffered from depression and bi-polar, and I had distanced myself from him during the last year of his life. He was choosing unhealthy outlets to escape from the stressors of his life. Despite the distancing between us, I still loved him and remembered the man that I grew up with. I hate turning towards my "What if's" when thinking about what happened in his life. All I can do now is remember his amazing spirit and energy, and what he brought to my life. All I can do is try my best to be with those I love who are still around me.

Whether you have someone in your life who you see struggling, or if you are that person struggling, find an outlet that will help lift you up. Yoga has been my outlet. I can't help but feel good after my practice. I'm challenging my mind and my body in a way that is helping me grow physically and mentally each time I step onto my mat. It truly gives me the strength I need to see those people around me struggling, and accept their "hook".

Let them off the hook. We are all given certain circumstances in our own individual lives, and we are all doing the best we can with what we have been given. Help them off the hook. Recognize the hook. Don't judge their capabilities or their way of dealing with their "hook", or what trials they have been given. Just help them - with a smile, a laugh, anything!

With this being our last week of my Find Your Shine movement, and it being all about kindness, I want to encourage you to love. Find that person who is struggling in your life, and be there. Forgive them, and be there with them even if just for a bit.

What a truly beautiful intention for a practice and for life. "Love. Your. People."

Love Always

xoxo

Ash