Have you ever thought, "Gee, my life would be better if __________________ (I lived somewhere else, if I had a partner, if I had a different job, if I had more money -- fill in the blank accordingly). I'm definitely guilty of this. Much as I hate to admit it, I sometimes lose perspective and suffer from a lack of gratitude. I'm working on my gratitude problem and I got a big kick in the pants from a fellow blogger -- Skeptic Yogi.
I've been a fan of Caren's blog for quite some time now (check my blog roll and you'll find her). Unfortunately, I don't always have time to read my favorite yoga blogs but I do try. A few weeks back Caren wrote a post, How Has India Changed Me, in response to her spending a few months in India. I absolutely, positively love her candor and her insight. You can read the post here. This post goes beyond a travelogue and hits on the ever-important idea of being happy and grateful for what you do have rather than complain/obsess about what you don't have.
I read Elizabeth Gilbert's book Eat, Pray, Love way before it was on the best-seller list. Afterwards did I get a bit of a hankering to take off for parts unknown? Sure. I stayed put though. About a year later, I attended a book signing/lecture given by the author. During the lecture, Gilbert spoke about the hero's journey and how anyone can go on a journey -- without leaving the country (or your state, for that matter). I think we all know -- transformation is an inside job. Overseas travel isn't necessary.
Going to certain environments can promote inner peace more than others. I can attest to this after attending a number of away retreats. The real challenge lies in taking the peace with you and maintaining it under whatever circumstance comes up when you're in your "real" life. Sitting for hours a day is easy when I'm at a retreat, but sitting for one hour a day can be challenging when I'm back in my life. The thing is -- we all have to come back from our trip/journey sometime. What happens when we're in our life?
Now this doesn't mean that I don't still fantasize about escaping to some secluded ashram or a tropical island when things seem crazy (gas prices, environmental issues, politics, inflation, etc.). That's when I know I need a gratitude adjustment. As wise Caren said in her post:
And not for one single solitary second more of this life of mine, will I EVER entertain the idea that happiness lies somewhere else other than right in front of my face.
Bravo! Thanks for your insightful blog post and for the lesson Caren!
Namaste!
Have you ever thought, "Gee, my life would be better if __________________ (I lived somewhere else, if I had a partner, if I had a different job, if I had more money -- fill in the blank accordingly). I'm definitely guilty of this. Much as I hate to admit it, I sometimes lose perspective and suffer from a lack of gratitude. I'm working on my gratitude problem and I got a big kick in the pants from a fellow blogger -- Skeptic Yogi.
I've been a fan of Caren's blog for quite some time now (check my blog roll and you'll find her). Unfortunately, I don't always have time to read my favorite yoga blogs but I do try. A few weeks back Caren wrote a post, How Has India Changed Me, in response to her spending a few months in India. I absolutely, positively love her candor and her insight. You can read the post here. This post goes beyond a travelogue and hits on the ever-important idea of being happy and grateful for what you do have rather than complain/obsess about what you don't have.
I read Elizabeth Gilbert's book Eat, Pray, Love way before it was on the best-seller list. Afterwards did I get a bit of a hankering to take off for parts unknown? Sure. I stayed put though. About a year later, I attended a book signing/lecture given by the author. During the lecture, Gilbert spoke about the hero's journey and how anyone can go on a journey -- without leaving the country (or your state, for that matter). I think we all know -- transformation is an inside job. Overseas travel isn't necessary.
Going to certain environments can promote inner peace more than others. I can attest to this after attending a number of away retreats. The real challenge lies in taking the peace with you and maintaining it under whatever circumstance comes up when you're in your "real" life. Sitting for hours a day is easy when I'm at a retreat, but sitting for one hour a day can be challenging when I'm back in my life. The thing is -- we all have to come back from our trip/journey sometime. What happens when we're in our life?
Now this doesn't mean that I don't still fantasize about escaping to some secluded ashram or a tropical island when things seem crazy (gas prices, environmental issues, politics, inflation, etc.). That's when I know I need a gratitude adjustment. As wise Caren said in her post:
And not for one single solitary second more of this life of mine, will I EVER entertain the idea that happiness lies somewhere else other than right in front of my face.
Bravo! Thanks for your insightful blog post and for the lesson Caren!
Namaste!