The Conversation: Finding Peace | a note from Christa Rady
Life is like a carousel, sometimes we're riding it, sometimes we stand in the middle watching it swirl around us, and sometimes we see our way off to the side observing it's movement. I find a variety of emotions in each of these vantage points.
With so much happening in the world and in our individual lives, it's easy to get stuck in one place or to carry an emotion with us through every experience. In observing my own behaviors, I've come to the conclusion that if I can carry fear, anxiety, and depression with me on this ride we call Life than I can definitely carry peace.
See the thing is, we know that the emotions or states of fear, anxiety, and/or depression are heavy to carry. We've all experienced this in one way or another. The feeling of being weighed down by one or all of these. It's not always easy to just set them down and can be damn near impossible at times for some of us, but finding peace can lighten our load.
What does it mean to be at peace? Webster's defines peace as "#1: a state of tranquility or quiet. #2: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions." I love #2. So how do we invite peace into our lives and carry it with us?
There are many ways to do this, but one of my favorites through the practice of yoga. I find myself so empowered and encouraged when I show up on my mat to practice and find that any thoughts or emotions can be countered through my breath and the movements. But then, when my mind comes to stillness, these emotions tend to rise back up like the devil with a shit eating grin. Here I am in pigeon pose after a great flow with tears streaming down my face. Let it rip.
When our bodies come to stillness in a yoga class, often times we experience that our minds want to dance right back to the emotions/state that we started class with. This might take us by surprise, or we might be expecting it, regardless, it's our opportunity to invite peace in. We invite peace in to ease our minds and pour over our hearts so we can feel contentment from every vantage point of life.
Peace in and Peace out,
Christa
