I am doing something radical for myself this year – no resolutions. For someone who loves accomplishments and goals, who expects and demands a lot from themselves, entering this New Year without a resolution is both disorienting and provocative.
You see, I have been getting more and more curious about who I really am. And I am finding that it is impossible to know the answer to that question when I impose strict routines and disciplines on myself. Those New Year Resolutions that I make every year only enforce who I think I should be.
What will remain when all that I tend to impose on myself is gone? Am I really a lazy slug at heart? Will I waste the whole year? Am I much different in reality than in expectation? Will I find nuggets of gold that have been hidden under rules? Will I find that I am kinder than I know myself to be?
Without images and impositions, what is left? I hope to find out, or at least see some glimpses, this year.
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About Me
- Deborah
- Hi, I'm Deborah. I'm an owner of Yoga North Studio in Duluth, MN and author of the Yamas and Niyamas: Exploring Yoga's Ethical Practice. I wrote this book to get the discussion about ethics, especially yoga's view of ethics, into everyday conversation. It seems to me that we live in a world where fear, greed, and excess have created major destruction and suffering around us and within us. We also live in a time of great hunger for change and infinite possibilities to re-create more harmony and beauty within and around us. I invite you to be part of the conversation and part of the practice of re-imagining. Oh, and by the way, I am married to a Lutheran minister and I love yoga philosophy, reading, hiking, and playing the piano.
Introducing the new book.
The Yamas & Niyamas
4 comments:
you must be at a great moment in your life with no worries. i am here with you. no resolutions either. i feel like i have been good and have a great momentum for my life going, and this started some time ago and i dont believe it was on a january 1st of any year.. see you are being radical. it is just plain radical to go against any type of norm. just be yourself, always and forever, be yourself. that is your gold.
I really enjoy the beautiful simplicity of your words. The very thought of what is under the disciplines is a scary /exciting thought
Thanks for the lovely post Deb. I came across another post that I thought touched on what you are sharing here and wanted to share it with you: http://www.neufeldinstitute.com/blog/2012/01/a-new-years-yearning/#comments
I hope you find it worth your time.
with love,
Heather
Thank you all for your comments. Heather, the post you mentioned was great reading.
I also received the following from DM: A blessing on your courage and curiosity. The letting go may be the hardest. Although we strive so hard for beauty and grace, what we often need is to offer ourselves a bit of mercy.
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