When I was a girl, my father and I would take his boat out on Lake Livingston as often as possible.  Many times we would see other boaters helping each other.  A few times, we were able to give help, and a few other times, we were the recipients of a tow, or a jump.  Every time I witnessed trouble on the lake, the giver of help refused to take payment for their service.  The response was always the same.  "someday I may need a hand, and I hope that someone is there to rescue me"  Those words stuck with me my whole life.  I lived my life with that philosophy.  Help others, and someday, when I need it, help will find me.

 

A few weeks ago, tragedy hit my world.  As a result, I needed to rearrange my schedule, and find subs for a few of my classes.  I was very disheartened when I could not get a substitute for any of the classes I could not teach.  It hurt me because I have happily and readily offered myself up to my collegues, and I felt that by doing so, they would offer themselves up to me.  I gave my time without realizing that I had done so with the expectation that it would be reciprocated.  I was hurt, and a little angry.  I had even resolved not to sub again for those who would not return the favor........OOOPs.  I gave with expectation, attachment to an outcome, and when it wasn't met, I felt the need to shoot myself in the proverbial foot.  Not very Yogic of me.

 

Good thing life is a learning experience.  I learned.  Fortunately, that moment of hurt and anger subsided and I realized that there was no malace intented by my collegues.  I am sure that whatever their life journey was at the time, it prevented them from being able to do me that favor.  When the opportunity did come around to sub for one of them again, I jumped at the chance, without reservation.  Why?  Because I LOVE what I do, and I will take every opportunity I get to do it as much as possible.  I also know that whether or not the favor is returned, I have gained something.  I have gained experience doing what I love, and I know that if I am in need of the return favor that it will be returned, if my collegues are able to do so.  If they are not, that is ok too.  I do not think less of them, or myself, for it. 

 

Pay It Forward

Yoga Philosophy/Practice has guidlines on how to live, behave, eat, exercise, and maintain spiritual connection regardless of your religous beliefs.  While Yoga's number one restraint is Ahimsa, non-violence in word, thought, or deed, the Baghavad Gita recognizes that sometimes we HAVE to fight.  Sometimes, we don't have a choice, or if we do, the alternative would be worse.  While violence should be avoided, it should not be avoided to the detriment of your other beliefs, or to yourself, or loved ones.  Is it wrong to defend yourself? Absolutely not.  Is it wrong to protect your loved ones? Again, the answer is no.  It IS wrong to commit an act of violence for the sake of violence, or to try to establish "control" over another being.  It is wrong to commit acts of violence against ourselves out of self anger or hatred.  In fact, many would argue that not protecting yourself is an act of violence against yourself by submission.  Our physical practice teaches us to conserve our energy.  It teaches us about how and when to be active, and how and when to be submissive.  Submissiveness is NOT what we are teaching, it is learning "when to hold 'em, and when to fold 'em".

 

Yoga is a lifestyle, a prescription for living a spiritual, clean, healthy life.  It does not dictate your every decision.  It trusts that if you listen to your intuitive self, you will be fine. 

 

This is how I live. 

 

Intuitively