EVERYONE IS STILL FIGURING IT OUT

When we were kids, we played and went through all the bumps and bruises of childhood, usually without a lot of cares or responsibilities. Then, one day, we turned 18, and the adults said, “You are an adult now!”. I remember thinking, “You mean I am responsible for myself now? Yikes!”. I realized quickly that I still had a long way to go as far as being “all grown up”. I started to notice older adults around me who did not seem very grown up, even though they were sometimes much older than me.

That is when I realized that people of all ages are trying to “figure life out” as they go. Life can be a bumpy ride.
It is a lot of mistakes, learning, and experimentation.

Here are some things I have learned along the way:

• We don’t become adults and suddenly know everything there is to know or how to always behave appropriately, say just the right things, know how to help others and have a successful life of love, good health, and comfort!
  
  
• I realized that we will always be capable of learning and growing if we allow it, no matter our age. Yes, even to the moment of our death! This realization would become key to my personal growth. As long as we are alive, we are a work in progress. We might acknowledge how much we’ve already grown and changed at 30, 40 or 50 but might not think about our potential for growth in the future, even when we are much older. We might assume all our growth thus far has led us to this point where we will remain…an adult. But we are constantly evolving…or could be if we wanted to.
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• There are times when life looks nothing like I expected it would! 
  I learned not to be afraid when reality didn’t match what I thought it would or should be. I learned that “not knowing” is a good but challenging place to be.
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• Even if we feel we have made many mistakes, hopefully, we will continue to stay afloat, working on and creating a life for our future. Forgiving ourselves and appreciating ourselves along the way. You can’t go back in time, but you can focus on what you want to create in the future. We might make the same mistakes over and over again…yep, we do that…forgive yourself and keep going.
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• Never take anything personally. Just don’t.
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• If you are in a happy place, enjoy it, it could change at any time. Life circumstances can turn on a dime. Even when we think everything is going great, the next day could be completely different. We don’t know what is around the corner. We can’t let our fears and insecurities shape our life. Feeling and facing our fear is a big part of our journey.
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• Don’t blame others for your circumstances. Especially don’t harbour anger. “Holding anger is a poison. It eats you from inside” ~ Mitch Albon.
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• Find gratitude for all that you have. Being thankful for the painful experiences as well as the good allows you to embrace your growth and transformation.
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• Everyone will face unique challenges. The stronger and more resilient you are, the more quickly you will adjust and move forward. Some people seem to do this naturally, but most of us have to work on it.                       
• No matter what age, we all make mistakes, and we all have stress and fear. Having the physical and spiritual practice of yoga has been my greatest ally in facing the bumps and bruises of adulthood. When I see loved ones suffer, I feel the best gift I can give them is to let them see my healthy coping mechanisms for my own ups and downs, whether it be practising the poses, breathwork or meditation. (my energetic walks have helped me get through a lot of “stuff”, too!)
  For someone else, it could be through devotion and religion, being at one with nature, a strong dedication to health-giving physical activity, or all of the above.
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• Sometimes, we feel that everyone else has life figured out and seems so fortunate and “together”. So, we try to cover up our feelings, hardships and fears so we can also appear that way. I have realized that allowing others to see our imperfect, and sometimes very difficult, life is important so they realize they are not the only ones who have troubles.
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• Now that I have completed 70 years on the planet, I think I am considered an elder! Maybe I am a little “wiser for the wear” (someone who has gained wisdom or experience through the challenges and difficulties they have faced in life), but still, there is so much to learn and grow from.

How do you manage your challenges and still enjoy the love, hope and sunshine of your life? Thus, in turn, helping others “figure it out”.   

SEE YOU ON THE MAT!
DOROTHY xo