Today Is A Great Day To Begin

Last week I realized that I was pushing myself to complete all of the activities on my task list without taking into account whether there was enough time in my day. I had stopped doing my yoga, I was eating only when starving and I didn’t feel that I could take even 5 minutes to meditate.

Naturally, I felt miserable.

I had a friend tell me—isn’t it great to know that all those things DO make a difference in your life?

So today, I begin again.

Not with a full workout, simply a gentle stretch. My lower back muscles have been sore from sitting working at my computer—a full set of yoga stretches would be a mistake. The old “no pain, no gain” would probably put everything into spasm and then where would I be? (Miserable and in pain.)

No, today I walked out onto my back deck and smelled the breeze. I gently performed a modified forward bend and then some other beginning stretches. It is a beautiful day to begin.

There is nothing wrong with beginning. (Even if it seems as if that is the place you start again and again.) Each beginning is a chance to care for yourself and treat yourself well.

There’s a new book out this year, called This Year I Will… by MJ Ryan. It’s funny and inspiring. She helps each of us realize that no one is perfect. The process of changing and growing is messy and filled with moments where it’s more than possible to feel like a failure. BUT, the awareness of failing is the beginning of true change.

It is uncomfortable.

BUT, if you can persist through your uncomfortable feelings, learn from your experiences—you can achieve lasting change.

Today is a great day to begin.

Thanks for sharing a few minutes with me.
Ellen

Here's a link to MJ Ryan's book, This Year I Will…

Ellen Wass Beckerman
Writer/Photographer/Graphic Designer
www.gardentextures.com