Navigating Life’s Challenges
By Jennifer Kelleher
Challenging situations come into our lives to ground us. Initially, when life hits you with a blow, it can be normal to feel scattered, drained of energy, and a loss of control. However, over time I have learned that these shocking events that scatter us are really just an opportunity to gather. The process of picking up our pieces and putting ourselves back together after a difficult time builds a stronger version of ourselves.
Today, when life knocks the wind out of me, I slow down and breathe deeply. I let myself feel the emotions that come with whatever I am enduring. Amid the strong and uncomfortable emotions, I enjoy the presence that these blows bring. There is an eye in every storm, a calm and stable center. I let the waves of emotion come, while doing my best to stay in that center. From this perspective, I can feel the emotions without becoming them. I experience them as a cleansing– waves of emotions washing away old and outdated parts of myself that are ready to release.
The strong, grounding presence that comes with life’s difficult times also serves to separate me from any humdrum part of my routine. It functions as a reset. In these important moments, there is a perspective adjustment. I can see things in a truer light and use my new awareness to move forward in a more genuine way. This unveiling shows me imbalances in where I was placing my energy and provides me the opportunity to reorganize my efforts in a more just way.
As the waves of emotion start to subside with a little bit of time, I can begin to gather myself. During this gathering, I remember my worth and strength. I call all parts of myself home. I become very aware of everything I have to be grateful for and I sit with this gratitude, letting myself receive my blessings and all of the love fully. As I gather, I remember that I am whole within myself, and this helps me let go of any attachments I previously had. Life is in constant movement and at any point in time there is nothing I lack– I co-create the joy and beauty in my life from within. No matter what, I know that I will be just fine. This obstacle is serving to bring me into a greater state of wholeness.
Life’s blows usually come with decisions that need to be made. Sometimes the answer is clear, other times it can feel conflicted. I do my best not to force decision making, but rather I remain patient and wait for my heart and soul to reveal my answers. Knowing that all choices have consequences, I try to not react out of emotion– particularly on the big things. Instead, I find comfort in the grounding presence that I described above and trust that my answers will come. When I find myself in fear over what might happen if I go this way or that, I come home to myself, trust that I am exactly where I need to be, and whatever ends up will be for the best.
Yoga has been such a huge asset for my mental health. I invite you to join Ocean Bliss Yoga for your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Learn and practice this ancient healing modality with dedicated, compassionate, professional instructors and a heart-centered community. Discover our schedule at oceanblissyoga.net. Call me with any questions at 917-318-1168. If you want to go all in, there is still time to join our 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training that begins on February 21, 2025. Sign up before January 15 and save $500. More information at oceanblissyoga.net/workshops.
