Embracing Life's Waves: A Lesson from the Yoga Mat

As a form of journaling, I often write notes on my phone and recently stumbled on something I wrote after taking a yoga class at my absolute favorite studio ever, Y2 in Charlotte, NC. Reading it I still find solace in the mantra … "My life is beautiful. No matter what."

December 8, 2020 

The instructor said, “Repeat after me, My life is beautiful. No matter what.” 

I took a yoga class last week with Kari and I’ve carried that mantra with me all week. Sometimes we need a reminder that life ebbs and flows like the rising and falling of tide.

Some waves gracefully carry us, offering moments of brilliance and ease. Others, however, may feel crummy and lackluster, challenging our balance and testing our resilience. Kari's guidance encouraged not only the acknowledgment of these “waves”but the celebration of each one.

Repeating the mantra became a personal practice, a reminder that regardless of the nature of the wave I am on —easy, brilliant, or challenging—I have the power to find beauty in my state of flow. Life's diversity of experiences is what makes it truly beautiful.

So, here's to celebrating all the waves ridden in life. Cheers to those crushing it and cheers to those simply getting by, for sometimes just getting by is more than good enough. 🌊✨

As I reflect on the last four plus years of 'life's waves' since writing that, I'm grateful for all of them - the good, the GREAT and the not so good - for they got me to today. It's also interesting to see that sometimes you're on an extraordinary wave at work and a completely different one at home or vice versus.

Today, if I could forecast what kind of wave I want to catch next it would be a swell :) Swells are characterized by a regular and well-organized series of waves that travel over long distances ... Unlike wind-generated waves, swells are more predictable and offer smoother, less choppy wave faces, making them ideal for activities like surfing and sailing.

So while I know we can't always control our waves, let alone predict them, we can always find ways to enjoy the ride because as Kari said in class that day in December, MY LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL. NO MATTER WHAT.