It seems fitting – if you know me well – that I’m writing about New Year’s Resolutions on January 24. In fact, I’m still deciding what my resolution will be. Some would say my tardiness is because I’m a Libra and can’t make a decision (which, astrology aside, happens to be true). Some would say it’s because I’m always a little bit slow and a little bit late (which is also true). And, some would say it’s in keeping with my annual promise to give up eggplant during Lent (which, since I dislike eggplant and don’t eat it anyway, is an easy one to keep).

But, mostly I don’t like New Year’s Resolutions, because I don’t want to make another resolution that I won’t keep.

New Year’s Resolutions are a nice idea, but why do we insist on torturing ourselves with hard-to-achieve goals that will only make us miserable? Or, if we have good-hearted goals – why do we have to launch them all on the same day? What’s wrong with starting a new habit on March 7 or June 12?

I went by the local Gold’s Gym on January 2 and it was overflowing with people. Every machine was in use and I wouldn’t have been surprised to find two or three people crammed together on a single treadmill. Nearly every single person looked sweaty, pale, tired, and miserable. There was a cloud of desperation over the entire place. Okay, it was a cloud of steam and sweat, but it sure felt desperate to me. Those folks weren’t out to create a vibrant new body; they were out to destroy their old one.

I happened to be back there yesterday. It was less than half full. I hope those other people are happier now. Unhappy exercise is destined to fail.

My husband, Randy, was stopped for one of those “Man In The Street” interviews by a local camera crew in late December. The question – “What’s your New Year’s Resolution”? He said, without missing a beat, “Have more fun.” Now, that’s a kind-hearted and good resolution.

Do you even remember what your New Year’s Resolution was? If you haven’t made one yet, maybe you should wait until Losar – Tibetan New Year – on February 18.

By February 18, I will have decided on mine. I’m leaning toward “Have more fun.”

Namasté

After all the running … all the stress … is there anything left for your holidays? Having seen so many people — at yoga class and at their massage appointments — recently, it seems that very few people have had a moment’s peace these past many holiday weeks. No time to sniff a fragrant wreath. No time to sit with a cup of tea. No time for quiet, meditation, or prayerfulness. No time to reflect on the beauty of this season.

In my classes and in my massages, I make a very small intention for those I serve — “I wish you peace. I wish you joy.”

In 1933, Eleanor Roosevelt wrote a piece titled “What I Hope to Leave Behind.” She wrote:

“As I grow older I realize that the only pleasure I have in anything is to share it with someone else. That is true of memories, and it is true of all you do after you reach a certain age. The real joy in things, or in the doing of things, just for the sake of doing or possessing, is gone; but to me the joy in sharing something that you like with someone else is doubly enhanced. …

“With advancing years I feel I must give this question of what I want to leave behind me greater thought, for before long I shall be moving on to fields unknown, and perhaps it may make a difference if I actually know what I would like to bequeath to a new generation. Perhaps the best I can do is to pray that the youth of today will have the ability to live simply and to get joy out of living, the desire to give of themselves and to make themselves worthy of giving, and the strength to do without anything which does not serve the interests of the brotherhood of man. If I can bequeath these desires to my own children, it seems to me I will not have lived in vain.”

And, so, my Christmas wish for you is a simple one:

I wish you peace. I wish you joy. May you live simply and get great joy out of living.

Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays. May the season shine brightly in your heart.

Namasté
Jackie

Ahh … November! This is my annual reminder that voting is part of our yogic duty.

It may seem strange because much of the time our yoga seems like solely an inward journey … a journey to expand and enlighten our own body, mind, and spirit. After all, when we step on the mat — it is just your two feet planting, your two arms reaching, your one heart beating, your one spirit shining. But, as we respect and foster our own inward growth through yoga, we must also remember — as the word Namasté reminds us — that we are all one.

Our actions, our efforts, our yoga are for the “all one” … not the “just me”.

And, so, we must respect and honor … and take responsibility for … our journey as a society.

Yoga is not about isolating ourselves from the world. It is about non-attachment to the things of the world, true. But, that’s something altogether different.

We seek our inner growth as a means not only to help ourselves, but also to be of benefit to others.

Voting is a very easy way to do that. It shows your support and concern for the wellbeing of your neighbors, friends, and your community. It shows that on your yoga journey you seek the highest good for all.

How lucky we are to have some say in how our society operates.

And, as always, there is someone who says it far better than I ever could. Dorothy Day, a Catholic leader and social activist of the early 20th century, has inspired me in so many ways. She once said:

“No one has a right to sit down and feel hopeless. There’s too much work to do.”

Let your yoga light serve all of us on November 7. Please vote.

Namasté

As the season begins its change from summer to fall this week, I thought about this little quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson:

“Adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience.”

Recently, I discovered the context for this Emerson quote. In fact, it is part of a longer piece on education. In it, Emerson urges teachers to have patience. Rather than resort to punishment, he encourages teachers to give their young students both the time and opportunity to bloom into adulthood on their own.

I think it’s good advice for us, too. Why hurry toward every goal we set for ourselves? Instead, we should take time to explore and enjoy the journey itself. What a nice gift to give oneself — the gift of a bit of time and a bit of space where you can enjoy this moment, without hurrying off somewhere. (Easy to say, I know. Much more challenging to actually do!)

In the spirit of the quiet rhythm of nature, be mindful of this moment now – try not to stretch your neck into a future you can’t control (you won’t get there any quicker and you’ll only hurt your neck). Be patient with your journey and kind with your self. Take the time in the days ahead to watch and enjoy the change of the season … the changes in the trees, in the plants, in the wildlife, in you.

And, breathe.

Namasté