No snow here this year, just rain…but the holiday season is in full force regardless of the weather! May this season bring more currents of joy, peace, and love in this world, starting with YOU, right here, right now. To cultivate these energies, consider starting each day with an intention.
Before you even get out of bed in the morning, take a few deep breaths and welcome your day with a resolve or vow (in Sanskrit this is called a Sankalpa). This is more than just an affirmation or a goal to achieve; it is a statement of BEING. At the very core, how do you want to BE? Loving? Patient? Compassionate? Happy? Consider the qualities needed to express these states of being, then vow to embody those positive qualities in all your thoughts, words, and actions. It’s not always easy and you will need to remind yourself over and over, especially when you catch yourself straying away from these states in the heat of anger, frustration, or judgement…(and notice just how often that happens!) but once you set your intention it’s like planting a seed. Keep watering it, and it will grow.
In the therapeutic practice of Reiki (a traditional Japanese holistic therapy that directs energy through the hands), we practitioners set intentions so that we can be clear and effective channels of energy, not only for ourselves but for our clients. We call these intentions the “Reiki ideals” and they can be wonderful guidelines for a Sankalpa.
JUST FOR TODAY, I WILL NOT BE ANGRY.
JUST FOR TODAY, I WILL NOT WORRY.
JUST FOR TODAY, I WILL BE GRATEFUL.
JUST FOR TODAY, I WILL WORK ON MY SELF.
JUST FOR TODAY, I WILL BE KIND TO OTHERS.
Whether it’s a daily intention, a New Year’s resolution, or an in-the-moment choice to ACT mindfully, may we all endeavour to embody the ways of BEING that promote peace!
Wishing you and your loved ones all the best this holiday season. Namaste…
Yoga In My Backyard 