Hikers know where to put their eyes. Set your eyes too far down a trail and you’ll trip over obstacles right in front of you. Keep your eyes fixed on your feet and your energy will decrease because you don’t have a realistic view of the road ahead. Hikers are good at finding the sweet spot.
I’m struggling to find the sweet spot!
In the next few weeks I will have a backyard graduation party (with several days of out-of-town guests) and close out my school year. I have a huge to-do list and I’m struggling to find balance.
I keep imagining the happy faces of friends and family as they enjoy our graduation party. I think about summer and how relaxation is within my reach. I see the finish line! But looking too far down the road causes me to stub my toes on small obstacles that I should be able to identify and navigate. I feel surprised and irritated when small problems arise. Not a good way to spend the day.
Then I overcompensate and keep my eyes on the present moment. One step at a time, right? But I also don’t have a realistic view of the work ahead of us. I find myself working too much and too late, tired the next day and reaching for sugar and coffee and just moving forward again. It’s also not a good way to spend the day.
According to yoga philosophy, the key is balanced awareness. It’s motivating to imagine my goal goals, but not to the point of daydreaming and fantasizing. I need to be aware of the present moment to keep my feet on the ground. On the other hand, focusing on one task at a time is smart, but I don’t want to close off and fixate on that one task. I need some level of awareness that this task is part of a line of tasks along the way. Yes, I have a lot of things on my bucket list, but this is the last year and I want to enjoy the view. Cultivating a balanced consciousness is key.
And awareness comes from meditation. My favorite way to take advantage of meditation is silent walking. And guess what I haven’t put on my to-do list? I may not have time for long walks, but I’m adding “half-hour silent walks” to my to-do list as we speak. I think I just found the sweet spot!
Until next time,
Laura
Do you want more?
Meditation Explained (yoga trail talks)
The Problem with “Keep on Keepin’ On” (Yoga Trail Talks)
