Finding Contentment - what story are you telling yourself?

One of my favorite things about teaching yoga is the creative part of theming my classes.  How can I make the class so interesting that they don't mind the hard work of the physical practice?   There is so much magic in our yoga philosophy, and so many ways that we can learn from it!

This week, we discussed santosha (contentment).  While I love all the yamas and niyamas, this one really spoke to me.  We so often think that our happiness is dependent on others, things we buy, or things that "need" to happen.  This could not be farther from the truth!   Santosha comes when we live life in the moment, with  joy and gratitude.  In fact, we are in total control of our level of happiness and contentment. 

Santosha reminds us that things around us are neutral.  Broccoli, for example, is not good or bad.  it is our reaction to that broccoli that makes it so.  Some people LOVE it, and some don't even want to look at it.  Each of us has our own story and our own personal filters that are applied to our experiences.   These stories that we tell ourselves are what create the happiness or pain.   No person can come into our lives and make us happy or make us miserable, it is only our reaction to that person that changes the situation. 

If you find yourself feeling unhappy or even jealous, stop and change your story!   Take a moment of gratitude for the many things in your life that bring you joy, and stop thinking about the lack.  Stop getting ready for the next best thing to make you happy,   it is already here and is inside of you.     What is the story you are telling  yourself?   Write a new story starting now!

With health and vitality,  Linda