Fear and Faith Living in the Dis-Comfort Zone

Sigh….if only our lives could be simple, easy and predictable.

If only we could have everything we needed and wanted. If only we were always successful at everything we did or tried. If only everyone could live long healthy lives. Even if we have everything we want or need, we never know what “surprise” is around the corner. Often these surprises involve changes or losses or health concerns and may fill us with fear. Fear is something we all experience; it is inevitable. It is a natural reaction to something that is challenging or threatening to us. How can we keep moving forward in our lives and not be paralyzed by our fear?

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified, terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”
— Franklin D. Roosevelt

Can we live in the dis-comfort zone and not be filled with fear?

If we could only let go of fear; loosen its grip. This is where faith comes in.
Faith is what reduces or eliminates fear. Faith in yourself. Faith that you will get through the challenge. Faith that when you have done everything you can do, the “great powers that be” will take over. Faith that you will be able to live with the outcome. It involves a certain amount of “letting go”. Letting go can bring great peace. It is not always easy to have faith but if you cultivate it, faith can give you great relief from this sometimes crippling dis-ease called fear.

We need to be strong, healthy and courageous “warriors” to get through our lives. Like the athletes who train for their sport, we need to figure out the best combination of sleep, good nutrition and exercise to prepare us for the sport of life. In yoga we recognize this need to be warriors.  Strong and stable warriors; warriors that are focused and calm and accepting. You may have heard of the ‘Warrior’ poses.  We stretch and strengthen. We focus and calm our minds. By the end of our class we are better prepared to face our challenges with clarity and courage. When we are strong in the body and focused in the mind we are prepared to face what ever comes our way. Yes, we may get knocked down but we will more easily get back up if we are healthy in mind and body.

Make your good health a priority. Yoga is a fantastic practice but there are many physical activities that will help strengthen you physically and mentally. Pick one or two that you enjoy. Start today. Only you can give yourself this gift of physical fitness and mental preparedness.

See you on the mat.
DOROTHY

***Even doing one yoga class a week will give you great benefits!
Or try a Yoga Retreat and immerse yourself into the practice for a whole weekend or week….or come and see me at my one day yoga workshops in Vancouver and Victoria!
***See the menu above for information on my yoga retreats in BC, Tulum, Mexico and Tuscany, Italy!