Giving
December is upon us, and with it our thoughts turn to the “Season of Giving.” Such thoughts lead most of us to brace ourselves in preparation for meeting the demands and the stresses of the season. Right now, most of us feel like we are gearing up for a long, exhausting battle that must be tackled with super-human strength. In other words, many of us greet this season as a mandatory hardship or burden, survivable only through extreme sacrifice, hard work and endurance. It is for this reason Being Yoga has chosen “giving” as the theme for the month. We believe that “giving” doesn’t have to be hard; in fact, we feel just the opposite. Please read on to understand our viewpoint of “giving,” and learn how “giving” can actually help you to move peacefully through this otherwise hectic season.
Perhaps it is a cliché by now, but we at Being Yoga want to remind you that it is impossible to give anyone anything if you are empty or depleted. It is so important to start the giving season out by first giving to yourself. Give yourself permission to take care of yourself, and make it your top priority. Despite increased time demands—or especially because of increased time demands—make it a point to give yourself “down time.” Be sure to continue your meditation throughout the season, or give yourself the gift of meditation by starting to practice on a regular basis. You will be amazed at how energizing it is to take a few minutes out of the day to calm the mind and body. You will also be amazed to find how much more productive and efficient you work with a clear mind verses one filled with unchecked, non-stop mental chatter.
You will not be surprised when we encourage you to give yourself the gift of yoga. Like meditation, yoga helps to calm the mind while at the same time strengthening the body and keeping it healthy. In particular, Bikram’s yoga helps people to release toxins and stress through sweating which, in turn, increases immunities and helps ward off the flues and colds so common during this season. Again, how can you “give” if you’ve got nothing to give because you’re sick in bed?
Another gift you can give yourself for help this season is the gift of positive thinking. So much of the stress we experience during this season is self-imposed. By starting out the season with the attitude that it’s all exhausting busy-ness, we set ourselves up to be miserable throughout it. Instead, if you can approach the season with joy and thankfulness (perhaps even playfulness) it will take on a whole different feel. Give yourself permission to do what you can and enjoy what you can, and then let the rest go. Be thankful for the resources in your life, both physical and spiritual, and allow the abundance of the universe to fill your heart. By appreciating and focusing on the things that you do have—the money, energy and time you do have (however limited you believe those commodities to be)—you will find that the universe will provide more.
It is our belief that the Giving Season can be full and rich and rewarding, as long as we take care of ourselves and tap into our deeper, inner resources. As Paramabansa Yogananda has stated: “Understand and experience the superior joys of the interior life; then everyone around you will feel and benefit from the pure joy that emanates silently from within your soul.” Give to yourself and you indeed give to others