GOOD HUMANING: DON'T CHOKE YOUR DREAMS

A primary principle of Buddhism is the idea that one’s self-absorption leads to suffering. When we hold our focus lightly, we are happier.

My grandfather had a similar piece of advice when giving me pointers on my non-existent golf game, “Hold the club like a small chick, never squeeze too hard.”

I think of that often, as I try to loosen my grip on goals or beliefs I might be holding too tightly.

…getting out of debt.

…publishing “on time.”

…reaching my “number.”

…believing that I am right.

I know that when I hold on to any of these goals too tightly, I am holding myself back.

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This post-series is about trying to anchor my experience by exploring within and reminding myself about what it means to practice "good humaning." It's about moving forward imperfectly. To follow this thread in my posts, look for these tags: #NotesFromMyYogaJournal

Good Humaning: Between joy and pain, pick patience.

Whatever happens today, or in my life, I can’t give way to reactivity.

Patience and compassion with where I am at lay the foundation for a healthy perspective.

/This post-series is about trying to anchor my experience by exploring within and reminding myself about what it means to practice “good humaning.” It’s about moving forward imperfectly. To follow this thread in my posts, look for these tags: #NotesFromMyYogaJournal

Good Humaning: Don't expect applause.

Don’t do your work for applause.

If you count on receiving credit for your work and good deeds you’ll never be fully satisfied. You’ll always want just a little bit more.

Just do your work anyway. You are the person paying attention when no one is watching, and that is enough.

GOOD HUMANIING: Learn softly

What would it be like to learn softly?

Instead of being like a cracked seed pod, what would it be like to be a fleshy bulb, nestled in the dirt?

/This post-series is about trying to anchor my experience by exploring within and reminding myself about what it means to practice “good humaning.” It’s about moving forward imperfectly. To follow this thread in my posts, look for these tags: #NotesFromMyYogaJournal

GOOD HUMANING: Don't just skim the surface

I try not to waste my time just skimming the surface in my work or in my relationships.

I don’t know how long I have, and I want my time and efforts to have impact.

/This post-series is about trying to anchor my experience by exploring within and reminding myself about what it means to practice “good humaning.” It’s about moving forward imperfectly. To follow this thread in my posts, look for these tags: #NotesFromMyYogaJournal

Good Humaning: Don't dwell

Don’t dwell in self-pity.

There are days when I have to catch myself, when nothing appears to be going right and I can’t catch a break. It is then I need to catch myself and recognize the feeling fro what it is, a feeling.

Feelings want to float, even the ones that feel heavy, like balloons in the wind.

If I choose to dwell in the feeling, it will never pass. Holding on to a balloon of self-pity just makes me miserable, as well as those around me.

/This post-series is about trying to anchor my experience by exploring within and reminding myself about what it means to practice “good humaning.” It’s about moving forward imperfectly. To follow this thread in my posts, look for these tags: #NotesFromMyYogaJournal

Good Humaning: Don't drown in envy.

Aristotle defined envy as pain at the sight of another’s good fortune, stirred by “those who have what we ought to have.”

Not only does envy make me miserable, it makes me wish misfortune on others. It is an abusive emotion any way you look at it.

If I look around me and feel any envy, it’s best to notice it when it’s a small emotion. If I ignore it, it’s full force will sweep me away.

/This post-series is about trying to anchor my experience by exploring within and reminding myself about what it means to practice “good humaning.” It’s about moving forward imperfectly. To follow this thread in my posts, look for these tags: #NotesFromMyYogaJournal

GOOD HUMANING: Expectations are trip wires

Expectations are trip wires and the root of all dissatisfaction.

/This post-series is about trying to anchor my experience by exploring within and reminding myself about what it means to practice “good humaning.” It’s about moving forward imperfectly. To follow this thread in my posts, look for these tags: #NotesFromMyYogaJournal

GOOD HUMANING: There is freedom in examination

Photo by Susanne Schwarz

Be fearless about knowing yourself.

Understand how you move toward freedom and toward suffering. This kind of self knowledge can give you freedom from getting hooked by the same people, the same behaviors that amount to little more than self-centered thoughts and emotions. They hook us because we expected something different.

/This post-series is about trying to anchor my experience by exploring within and reminding myself about what it means to practice “good humaning.” It’s about moving forward imperfectly. To follow this thread in my posts, look for these tags: #NotesFromMyYogaJournal

Good Humaning: Be deliberate

Practice deliberately to strengthen the natural capability for compassion.

/This post-series is about trying to anchor my experience by exploring within and reminding myself about what it means to practice “good humaning.” It’s about moving forward imperfectly. To follow this thread in my posts, look for these tags: #NotesFromMyYogaJournal