Do only what you can and none of what you can’t.

I’m annoyed.  Over something that I have no control over really. But I want to sooooooooo badly.  I want to be able to control the situation just so, that it turns out exactly how I want. And isn’t it always that way? The things that we have no control over we want to take them under the absolute worst. Why is that? Right now I can’t figure out why because I’m so consumed with thoughts about how much I hate this situation. Strong words from a yogi, right? Would you believe I meditate every day? Unfortunately meditation does not always equal mediation. If only it were that easy. That’s why along with meditation comes the ever so dreaded work. So as I work through it, which is really happening in real time as I write ( this blog is just as much for me as it is for all of you) I realize that the situation is not the problem at all. As the gunas remind us life is full of situations that continuously rise and fall like waves in the ocean, sometimes before you even have time take in the first wave fully another one comes and its much bigger than the one before it. We literally have no control over this. Just ask rip currents.

      The real problem is me and how I’m handling the situation or lack thereof. Just like our childhood lifeguard at the local swimming pool taught us about the dangers of drowning, if you freak out, fight the water and try to control the fact that you’re drowning you will sink much faster. Its only when we let go of the fear of losing control and simply breath, relax and float that we have some chance to find our way to safety. So then the question becomes do I want to continue to fight for control and drown or relax and float? The answer seems simple but as yoga has taught me time and time again simple does not mean easy. How do you let go of control when you feel like you might die if you do? You do it anyway, you let go of it all, relax and trust the universe and her plan. That’s really all you can do anyway. So often we try to take control of things that have nothing to do with us, things that are not for us to do but for the universe to take care of. But we get so caught up in what we want, what’s comfortable and reliable, desires and perceived needs that we lose sight of the task at hand which is just to be. A human being observing the waves and not getting swept up in them.

      I read a quote once that said, “Do only what you can and none of what you cant.” I love quotes because they are like universal truths that never change. I’ve said this while teaching my students a number of times but only now does the true meaning really set in. Not only must we not force the body to do what it can’t during asana but also in our everyday lives in general, after all what we learn in yoga is not for the mat but to take out into the real world. When we try to control things it’s because we are afraid of an undesirable outcome, it triggers that thing within us that’s afraid getting something we don’t like. We think not knowing and not controlling means we’re leaving the door open for anything to happen and in a way that’s true because when anything can happen it means that anything can happen. Endless possibilities. Maybe even a surprise ending that’s better than anything you could’ve dreamed. Now, don’t get me wrong I might be a hippy but I’m still a realist, there may still be nightmares lurking around the corner but those are not meant for us to worry about, at least not until the boogie man is right in front of us. “ Do only what you can and none of what you cant”  Until then, the next time you find yourself drowning under control remember to sit back, breath, relax and just float.