“There are so many moments in our yoga practice when we have a chance to be humbled and for it to be a positive experience versus something we’re just trying to blow through. So . . . activate your humility,” Adriene said on Day 4.

Her gentle voice stayed with me as I thought about what was difficult for me right now. This Saturday at Living from the Heart, I will be presenting material that I have heard a number of times but haven’t taught before. It takes time and intentionality to find my voice and let it shape the words and concepts I want to convey.

The subject is the False Self and, not surprisingly, I’ve become a work in progress. My false self wants to have the material down with a gratifying fluidity. It’s important to put the effort in so that participants comprehend this slippery concept. But what if “nailing it” isn’t within my grasp?

Ooh. I felt something as I wrote that. My heart space softened and up crept a hint of tears. What’s going on? I wait and then the words come: I recognize a tense desire to do it perfectly and a relief that it’s okay if I can’t.

I smile as I recall a quote I will be sharing on Saturday. St. Augustine once said, “There are three things that are the most important in the Christian life.  The first is humility. And if you ask me, the second is humility, and the third is humility.”

This morning I unrolled my mat and met Adrienne on Youtube for Day 5 of my 30 day yoga journey. Today’s word was Soften. Adriene asked, “Are you working harder than you need to?” And then, as if she were reading my mind, she added, “Not just on the mat but in your life?”

What if I soften my expectations, prepare adequately and then activate my humility? What if I trusted that Brent and Audrey, my co-facilitators, will fill in the gaps needed? Or trust that if participants leave with questions unanswered that living those questions will be better than having all the answers.

Adriene offers this pro-tip: “Activate your breath–and let it do the work for you.”

Yes. Breathe in Ruach. Breathe in the Breath of God–loving all, sustaining all, enlivening and transforming all. Activate your humility. Trust that Breath.

The Spirit of God has made me;
the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
–Job 33:4 (NIV)

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Love Mischief for the World

As of January 1, 2020 business license holders in Vancouver are no longer permitted to serve prepared food in foam cups and foam containers. Vancouver banned the use of styrofoam in a movement toward becoming a waste-free city in 2040. Next to be banned will be plastic drinking straws. This ban will take effect on Earth Day (April 22, 2020). People in Vancouver will still be able to buy styrofoam containers and plastic straws for personal use. But we don’t have to. If we stop buying them, stores will stop selling them. Every small step we take to care for the earth counts.

What love mischief are you and God doing for the world?
Let me know and I will include it in an upcoming post.

Credits and References:
“Yoga girl” by Todd Dailey. Used with permission
“Flood Tide” by SwaloPhoto. Used with permission.
Image of styrofoam containers from FastCasual.

© Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim, 2020.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without permission from Esther Hizsa is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used provided there is a link to the original content and credit is given as follows: © Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim 2013-2020.  http://www.estherhizsa.com