At 25.5 years old I guess I don’t have too many years under my belt in the grand scheme of things… I hope to get at least a good 75 more; but in those 25 years I do think I’ve learned a thing or two about the world. And as one of those things is that “life isn’t lived inside a vacuum” I think it’s important to share what I now know that I once didn’t.
It’s not the great wisdom of the Yoga Sutras and it certainly isn’t anything anyone can’t figure out on their very own, but it’s just a list of things that I’ve picked up in the 804,701,613 seconds (and counting) that I’ve been alive.
- Things very rarely turn out exactly as you plan them: And they’ll probably end up better for it. When you spend all your time making lists and plans you do have a better understanding of what you want – but if you’re too rigid to deviate from what you write down or see for yourself then you’re screwed. I think in life you get to pick the big stuff, but the little curve balls, surprises and spilled glasses of whatever are what end up sending you down paths that will really blow your mind. So ride the wave wherever it may take you, just don’t forget to actually steer your board. Bringing me to my next point.
- Cliches are not always a bad thing: Sometimes they’ll make your eyeballs role back into your head, but other times they may make you cry right out of those same eyeballs (especially if said cliche is written in a fancy font next to a sepia picture of a sleeping cat). Remember (and this is coming from a writer) don’t be afraid to indulge yourself in a couple cliches from time to time – there’s a reason people use them… just don’t overuse them.
- Sometimes yoga is the answer, sometimes so is a cocktail: Life requires a lot of different solutions to lots of different problems. One day you get your heart broken and need to do a headstand, the next day you rear end someone and you need a vodka soda (when you get home). Don’t ever let anyone tell you what you need, listen to yourself… and not just when it comes to choosing between cocktails or yoga.
- Finger nails look better painted a beautiful color: And that doesn’t mean you have to spend $40 a pop on a mani/pedi, get a bottle of high quality polish and get to painting. Pick an ostentatious shade and call your day colorful.
- If you don’t pay your bills there will be consequences: The art of paying for things is a lot like math… oh wait… it is exactly math. Personally I believe that if my high school teachers had spent even half as much time explaining personal finance to me as they did Algebra, Geometry and Physics, then I would be in a much better financial state of affairs. Alas I hardly think my geometry teacher can be blamed for my increasingly messy credit situation. PAY YOUR BILLS, that’s all I’m sayin’.
- Friendships end: And that’s ok. The people who leave your life, whether in a calm, friendly “our lives went in different directions” kind of way or in a storm of emotions and shattering glass, still did at one time serve their purpose for you… and you for them. Don’t waste time crying about them, either call them and rekindle the friendship or put your energy towards the people in your life who are still around and awesome.
- Some friendships never end: Whether it’s a ginger kid that you picked up when you were 2, a fairly strange trio that you found in high school or a BFF that became your roomie and sister in & after college, there are some people who just don’t go anywhere… even if you actually do physically go somewhere else geographically, they’ll still be a phone call (or Facebook post) away.
- In at least certain aspects of you life you will become just like your parents: And if you’re lucky you get to be proud of that fact. From my mom I learned midwestern charm and how to have honest, heartfelt empathy for other people; I also learned how to overreact to cuts, bruises, rashes and coughs, as well as how to have a healthy fear of cliffs and holding one’s arm out of a moving car. From my dad I learned how valuable it is to listen (he did a lot of this in a family of 4 women) and I hope I picked up even a little bit of his wisdom. He also taught me how to speak intentionally and that dreams are always worthwhile things to have. (He can be found driving my mother around the island of Oahu on his new motorcycle, because that’s just exactly what he wanted to do, damn it).
- You don’t have to be just a cat person or just a dog person: Sometimes you can like both dependable pups and cuddly cats. While I typically prefer dogs, my roommate has a cat who exemplifies all the finest qualities of a furry companion.
- Finally, yoga = a lot more than just a nice butt: Although the perky bottom of any power yogi is a true testament to it’s physical offerings, yoga is so much more than that. Like I have said before there is no one thing in my life that has been better for me mentally, physically, emotionally and (dare I say it?) spiritually than yoga. It has become the foundation of my daily routine and the tether that holds me to sanity on days when I kind of want to go bat shit crazy.
And that is what I have to offer you after a quarter of a century (and a a few odd months). Sure, I’m learning new things every day and there are certain wisdoms I possess not listed here, but hey I think these are all valid points!
Take it easy!
XO
Heather C
Wise words, friend. I’m agreeing with you on all of the above, but I’m finding #1 especially true. In yoga philosophy, one of the hardest and most important things to learn is to *let go of expectations.* If you figure this one out, please let me know & teach me how!
Happy quarter of a century birthday! Its interesting to look back at various points in your life and take stock of what you have learned and where you have been. Life is indeed an interesting place!
Oh thank you!