dream, n.
v.i.,
what
presents itself to one in sleep as happening, a sleeping vision; ideally
perfect specimen of something; allow oneself to believe (that) or think of so
much as to contemplate the possibility of; be unpractical (especially in
dreamer)
This
week, while pushing myself into an advanced balance position, my yoga teacher
spoke some words of pure wisdom.
She said:
stop thinking you can’t do something because actually you can, you can do it.
She went
on to explain that sometimes in yoga, and in life, the way you get to a final
position won’t be the same as the person next to you. That sometimes in your
practice, there are many different directions, feet placements, arm structures,
muscle or bone hindrances that form together to produce an entirely individual
way of moving, of achieving your goal. The recommended way might not work for
you.
Perhaps your hamstrings are short and won’t allow it. Maybe your neck is
stubborn and won’t move freely to the right but loosens up on the left. You
could even find the more logical and responsible portions of your soul
overruling your lighthearted and free loving portions, creating a rift more
difficult to cross than the widest canyon on earth.
But that doesn’t mean you
can’t do something. And you should never say you can’t. Because you can. You most
certainly can. You just have to use a different path.
Often we
find ourselves doubting our ability to do things. They can be small doubts
like: I can’t or won’t be able to do a head-stand. Or they can be large doubts
like: I can’t and won’t realise my dream.
But whatever they are, they are
doubts non-the-less and they bury themselves uncomfortably low in the most vulnerable
depths of your being.
They slowly but surely convince you that no, sorry man,
you can’t do that. Give up now. Don’t push through. Just turn back.
We tell
ourselves, I’ll do it next year. I never really wanted that anyway. I’m sure it
was that second bowl of icecream that had me dreaming so big.
Then we try to
push the dreams out of our hearts and into oblivion.
But if
you’re quiet enough to listen and brave enough to understand, there is another
force that can propel you in the opposite direction.
It is a force that comes
in the form of the determination to make a difference. It is the steady rhythm
of self confidence. It does not take no for an answer and makes no excuses for
excuses.
It is your best friend telling you to do what makes you happy. It is a
voice on the other end of the phone saying calmly, but forcefully: you will do
this, even if I have to put you on that bloody plane myself.
It is the endless
hours of practice, countless days of preparation, infinite number of
calculations.
It is
hope. It is love. It is your spirit.
In yoga that night a small, secretive smile spread across my (very sweaty)
face. And in that smile was the end of a long journey to realisation that yes,
I can. And thanks to an overly active moral compass and an overly scruffy super
human, I won’t be forgetting it anytime soon.
Accept
that you can do things. Believe when others believe in you.
Do not deny the
love and encouragement you receive, whether it comes from yourself or another.
And
dare to chase your most beautiful and wildest dreams.
Sometimes
life is what happens when loosen your grips on the reins and let the
destination choose you.
So when your hopes are on fire
But you know your desire
Don’t hold a glass over the flame
Don’t let you heart grow cold
I will call you by name
I will share your road.
PEACE
& LOVE
X
