Empty the mind - you might have heard that as a way of describing meditation.
But what for? Besides, minds are bound to be filled with thoughts, usually dozens; at their quietest, sometimes just one persistent thought.
That’s okay. Choose the thought well. That’s still better than a schedule that is just way too full. As moms, our lives are too full and sometimes that filler is just the mundane stuff: washing dishes, chasing your kid around as you try to comb their hair, making meals, sending a few emails and paying bills even though the house looks like a disaster.
We become fools of fullness, instead of sensing that we are full. Let’s be full of good things. In yoga, though, it’s not just being full for fullness sake, but filling ourselves up with the things that keep us inspired, grounded, and focused. Sound good? What can you fill yourself up with each day, even if you only devote a couple of minutes to focusing on it?
These days I fill myself up with: music that inspires me, moments of laughter and joking with my daughter, a quiet moment with my husband on the couch, short meditations (5-7 minutes), reading something that reminds me of how good life is, and enjoying hot drinks during the cold winter. Oh yes, and brief yoga sessions where I do exactly what I feel like doing so that I feel cradled by those short and sweet moments on my mat.
How brief, you ask? Sometimes I’m not even on my yoga mat for these moments, honestly. Sometimes I’m sitting in the bleachers watching my daughter at her soccer practice while I put my ankle up on my thigh to stretch my glutes.
This is all definitely the most real yoga you can do. Not much to do with touching your toes or backbending. It’s about the posture of your mind, a more subtle yoga than just asana.
By the way, happy February full moon! What’s your posture like these days, mentally, emotionally, and physically? What have you been filling your days (and your mind) with, and will you continue in that way or does anything about it need to change?