Mindfulness Mondays 31: Nothing Changes Without Change (500TH BLOG!!!)
December 28, 2009 by dr. lam
THIS IS OUR 500TH BLOG! THANKS EVERYONE FOR CONTINUING ON THIS JOURNEY WITH ME!
As you know, I get a lot of inspiration from my yoga class. In a short 10 months, I have been able to achieve what I thought I would never be able to do like level 3 bridge extension, level 3 crescent, headstand (with a little wall support),full side angle with wrap, etc. A lot of it was taking chances to do harder poses and seeing that in time I actually could. As a metaphor for life, I see that in life we encounter things that are going to change us, sometimes things we do not want since we are creatures of habit or that we think outrightly will be a negative influence on us. With that in mind, we need to admonish what my yoga instructors chime all the time, “Nothing changes without change.”
Remembering the lessons we covered last year from the Tao Te Ching, when we encounter an obstacle we should not force that change but to allow it to happen. When we accept change will come, it is far easier than fighting it or forcing our way along a certain path. ”Be like water”, Lao-Tzu admonishes. We can be forceful just through our flow without forcing and be mutable like water. When we embrace change, we can view it as a beautful thing.
When I work with my staff and with my patients, I always say that I hope that I as a human being in 2010 will be better than I was in 2009 and in turn better than in 2008. I wish the same for my staff, my family, friends, and my patients. If we stop changing and growing, I think we are dying inside. This week, openly and freely embrace change. See it as a good thing no matter how negative it may appear to you at first. Look for ways to change yourself without being forceful in your change.
A lot of change does not “stick” because we do too much, too quickly, too brashly, like crash diets. Make small changes. Allow your heart to be open to change and permit your own growth. In the coming weeks to months, when I cover The Power of Less, I will work with you on constructive ways to change in small but big ways. Until then, open your heart, mind, and soul to change.
Comments
7 Responses to “Mindfulness Mondays 31: Nothing Changes Without Change (500TH BLOG!!!)”
Feel free to leave a comment...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!
Over the course of months, you’ve changed my opinion about yoga. I’m going to try at as soon as I’m able.
Excellent blog today.
Thanks!
haha. thanks. you’ll love it. if you want a good cardio workout and strong muscle toning find an Ashtanga one or in Western parlance or derivative, “power” yoga. it is very challenging. don’t want you to get into a sissy class of meditation and think i’m crazy!
Woohooo!!!! We made it to 500!!!! Thank you so much, Dr. Lam, for writing these blogs and sharing your wonderful insight with others!! I am so appreciative to you!! From them, I have developed a whole new perspective in my thinking and I shudder to think where I would be at mentally without them…lol Stop laughing!…lol
Dr. Lam, I think this series of blogs is my favorite yet, because there’s a lot of insight here that really registers.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading these and meditating on them. In fact, I’ve based most of my new year’s resolutions on these concepts!! Dr. Lam, this was good timing!!! =)
I love your idea that we should always be improving and growing, and that each year we should be a better person than the year before. Wonderful point, that if we stop improving, then we are dying. I ought to frame that! =) Funny thing, I used to always be embarrassed of how immature I was the year before and would be kicking myself for it…lol I am now looking at it instead of belittling myself, as how well I’ve improved over a year. =) I owe some thanks to Dr. Lam that I have learned so much this year!! Blog buddies too!!!! Can’t wait to make more improvements!!!
Hey, Dr. lam, I’m making up for not commenting for a few days…lol Don’t feel like you have to read them though!
lol That works!