Have you ever noticed that some things are much easier said than done? Has it ever occurred to you that you’re full of shit for thinking that? Has it ever then occurred to you that you’re just getting in your own way? Over the past several months I’ve been lucky enough (as well as frustrated and agitated enough) to delve into these questions and realizations. I’d like to address several things that I find (in some cases ironically) challenging. They are as follows:
- Being myself: Has anyone ever looked at you and told you to just be yourself? Have you then responded by standing weird and doing something like shrugging a lot or playing with your nose or sweating profusely? WELL, that’s how I’ve realized I react. The proper response to not acting like yourself is the following: ask yourself ‘if I were in this situation, what would I do?’ then realize that you are in that situation and react accordingly. This brings me to my next point.
- Being honest: Have you ever had a really, really hard time with honesty? Whether it’s just being true to who you are or actually telling the truth in a tricky situation – sometimes being honest seems much easier said than done. As a kid I was a bit of a pathological liar, my mom likes to tell me I was a story-teller but my sisters firmly disagree… so I know first hand that whether it’s entertaining or just easier sometimes lies just come spilling out. The proper way to be honest is the following: think about what you want to say; assess whether or not it is true; say it out loud; deal with the consequences accordingly.
- Cooking: I like to think of cooking as a super challenging experience. The idea of gathering together a bunch of rogue ingredients and tossing them together to create a delicious meal seems mind-boggling. Turns out I think I’m over thinking this one. The proper way to cook: find a recipe; purchase ingredients; follow the directions; eat; clean up. Another option that you can consider for the final step is to cook for someone and then trick/guilt them into cleaning up.
- Kicking a bad habit: There are books and books and books about how to stop doing things that you feel like you can’t stop doing (no I am not giving advice for addiction, I’m not qualified for that kind of advice please seek out and listen to a professional); however the truth of the matter is you just need to stop doing whatever you want to stop. I remember wanting to stop eating copious amounts of junk food in college – the interesting thing here is the proper step (singular) is as follows: stop doing that thing.
- Starting a good habit: How many times have you said: ‘I’m going to start going to the gym’ or ‘I want to pick up yoga’ or ‘I’d like to start eating more kale?’ Well guess what, no one else is going to do that for you – just get a membership or grab a mat and find a studio or head to Whole Foods hungry for a super food. Boom – done!
- Headstands: With the proper instruction a headstand isn’t all that challenging. Like so many other poses in yoga it’s more about physics than strength (which would crack up my high school physics teacher as he very seriously thought I had a learning disability because I could not for the life of me understand such theories at age 18). The best way to get into a headstand: find a good teacher; listen to that teacher; practice headstand; do a headstand.
I could go on and on and on about things that we make difficult that should be the easiest things ever: being in love, treating people with respect, driving, cleaning a yoga mat, cutting ones own hair, seeing your family… How many times have you found yourself making excuses for why you haven’t done something? Imagine your life if you didn’t make those excuses and just did whatever it is you say you’re going to do…
Some food for thought on this fine Thursday!
XO
Heather C
Great blog with some great lessons. We are almost always our own worst enemy!
It also makes me think of a concept that every sin has its punishment built into it – in other words our bad behaviour creates a way of being that brings pain into our own lives!
I am going to start a good habit. I’m going to read this post every morning until I stop making bullshit excuses for not doing stuff that I want to do. Thanks!