Choose Kindness

Although I did not have the opportunity to attend the March for Our Lives or the DC Pride parade, I believe that the overarching theme to both is to simply choose kindness. Here are five ways that we can cultivate more kindness everyday:

1. Think outside of your personal needs and wants. Another way to say this is think in terms of individuality instead of individualism. Take care of yourself and be unique, but don't let that get in the way of the greater good.
2. Operate in a spirit of service. What small, random act of kindness can you perform for someone else in order to lighten their load? We're all dealing with so many large and small stressors these days that a little bit of help can go a long way.
3. Engage in curious conversation with folks that have a different worldview than you. I must admit, that this is a struggle for me but I know that if we don't engage in respectful communication we cannot find common ground and move the world forward.
4. Appreciate the natural world. To paraphrase a line from Alice Walker's novel The Color Purple, "I think it pisses God off when you walk by the color purple and don't appreciate it." Appreciate the shape of the trees, the songs of the birds, the rhythm of the sun and moon. This will inspire you and those around you to keep the natural world wild and healthy.
5. Put your money where your kindness is. As best as you can choose products and services that align with your core beliefs and have a history of supporting causes that matter you. Notice the word "history" as many companies enjoy PR stunts and sound bites that fit the current mood but just under the surface you'll find contrary actions.

Of course, as your yoga practice deepens so should your capacity for kindness. Yoga provides the space and opportunity to expand in ways that benefit all beings with whom we come into contact. Join me this week, Monday at 12:30 and Thursday at 9:00 AM so that we may practice together. If you can't make it live, replays are available including a core focused class that was just added to the library.

Links are here:

https://www.toembodyyoga.com/offerings

https://www.toembodyyoga.com/online_store

OM SHANTI OM

Julie