How often have you heard the phrase "just be yourself?" Have you ever thought about what that really means? I had occasion to do just that this evening after a long talk with my "wiser than his years" son.
I was feeling a bit down this evening- maybe it was because it is supposed to be summer and it was raining like a winter day today, or maybe because I feel like I am not in sync with what my heart is telling me about a couple of situations in my life. At any rate, after the long chat with my son I had I long chat with myself - in front of the mirror!
Mirror work helps to reflect the feelings we have about ourselves and can help to illustrate the areas that we want to change. It is like giving yourself a lecture, only the person lecturing loves you more than anything else in the world and is the only person who knows what is best for you.
So I looked in the mirror and said " Forgive yourself if you don't know how to move through this situation. Be gentle with yourself if you made a mistake. Don't feel guilty or silly because you are being who you are- daring, spontaneous, fun loving. You are a warm, kind person and if others don't see that it is not your concern or issue. Just be yourself."
To be myself is to be someone who will make mistakes, who will be vulnerable and will sometimes get sad. But it also means to acknowledge that I am genuine, real, strong and brave.
Mirror work is a good way to see where you may feel some resistance to any change you want to make, but is also a good way to affirm those changes and help you see where you are open.
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Who is fairest of them all?
The one looking in the mirror of course!
I live in a part of the world that does not see as much sun as most of us who live here would like. In fact, we have just come through about three weeks of nothing but rain, clouds and cooler than usual temperatures. To say this has not affected how many of us are feeling would be an understatement, given that in just over a week it will be the summer solstice when the day is at its longest.
In ancient times, the summer solstice was a time for tribal people who lived in northern latitudes to celebrate. The snow had melted, trees and flowers bloomed and food was more plentiful. It was a time for celebration and connection.
Today the sun appeared again and I was able to spend a some time on my deck enjoying the warmth and light. With warmer weather, the modern summer solstice fits in to a mindset of fun and relaxation. But it also makes me think about the sun inside each of us. The ancient yogis believed the sun was a token of our inner light which corresponds to our spiritual heart.
One way to honor the sun is by doing sun salutations. These series of yoga poses bring heat to the body, get the circulation flowing and take your body through a full range of motion. Because the movements match your inhalations and exhalations, you connect to the rhythm of your breath and develop your inner focus. Each sun salutation begins and ends with hands in prayer position in front of the heart. This is to acknowledge your own inner sun- your heart, also known as your higher seat of wisdom.
So now that summer is here- soak up the sun with your 45 on and rock on!
