YOU are Enough

Little is often enough. A few years ago, I remember seeing a yoga teacher hang these words onto the wall of the studio as she was preparing for class. What a delightful and simple reminder. These words still flash through my head in moments I struggle with feeling that I am not enough or that what I do isn't enough. And now that the holiday season has set upon us, I am constantly struck by the irony of it all. That it is a season meant to bring stillness, joy, and peace. But instead it seems for many to bring extra busyness, increased stress, and even sadness. I sit in awe with how nature innately slows during this time, quieting the earth with darker hours and chilly weather, yet we only seem to go faster! There can be a lot of stress that comes with having multiple functions to attend, presents to shop for, goodies to bake, delicate family dynamics to address - and the theme I feel from a societal stand point is only more, more, and more!! Friends, YOU are ENOUGH. WE are ENOUGH. In many things, less is more. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be enough and to do enough, forgetting that often, little is enough. Even in our yoga practice it can be easy to succumb to more is better. We might push harder in a pose that is difficult instead of backing off, take a more vigorous class when our bodies need more restoration, or blow off the precious 5 minutes our minds need to quiet and rest. So how about this month, we worry less about shopping and doing extra things that do not serve us well. You are enough without the extravagant gift - YOU are already a gift!! Here are some of my ideas for a more thoughtful and joyful holiday season. Breathe. And then breathe again Take time for yourself Linger over a cup of hot chocolate or tea Be silly Share in laughter Do one thing less each week Dance in your living room Turn off the TV and enjoy the silence of the night Take a bubble bath Begin a gratitude journal Take a walk Sit in nature Send someone a kind message Allow yourself to say no Play a board game Walk barefoot on the beach Read Go to bed early one night Put the phone away for an hour or two Let snowflakes fall on your face Share a meal with someone that has none Sing! Smile Soften and open your heart

"Your light is seen, your heart is known, your soul is cherished by more people than you might imagine. If you knew how many others have been touched in wonderful ways by you, you would be astonished. If you knew how many people feel so much for you, you would be shocked. You are far more wonderful than you think you are. Rest with that. Rest easy with that. Breathe again. You are doing fine. More than fine. Better than fine. You’re doin’ great. So relax. And love yourself today."~ Neale Donald Walsch