Painting your own picture of life
Someone once said, “Paint your own picture, don’t be thrown off course by others, especially not men”.
Are we painting our own picture of life?
As I blogged lately, many are living life for someone other than themselves, for the expectation of others, parents, educators, peers, and of course society.
And even when people start painting their own lives, making choices for themselves, taking responsibility, having clarity and vision, knowing where they want to head, making the most of the moment, knowing it may be their last, there is still the risk to be thrown off course by others.
I have been thrown off course by others, by men especially, in my need to be needed, to be loved, to be validated, because I didn’t know how to love or validate myself, I gave a part of myself away, compromised on my vision and - at times - my values.
Over time though, the practice has gifted many things, including recognition of my own needs and love for my self, validation too, it’s not been easy, a people pleaser, insecure, lacking in confidence, shy, all of this made it harder still and I was always in awe of those who had already made peace within themselves and stood centred, feet on the earth.
Sometimes we have to go off course though to find our way back again.
I never intended to teach yoga or Reiki, I set out to write, but one thing led to another, led to another, and here I am, still teaching, and yet also now writing.
I am conscious though, in those darker moments, how we can fall into patterns of self-doubt, lose confidence, and make choices that take us from the picture we were once painting of our life.
It takes courage to stand true, to make choices aligned to our heart, our soul. To paint the most beautiful picture we can, with love, peace and harmony no doubt a focal point.
It takes discipline too, and this is a theme within the Yoga Sutras, self-discipline to take us deeper into practice, and onwards to freedom. Discipline to tidy our lives, take responsibility, do the work to heal and orientate to a place where we can stand in our truth, say no, honour our self and our needs in each moment.
But it is more than that, it is also about trusting in the support we cannot see. It is my experience that if we have vision and it is aligned to heart and soul, then the great mystery rushes in to support it. But it takes trust to take that first step, and to keep painting the picture without being distracted.
Are you painting your own picture, or are you being thrown off course by other people?
Love Emma x
