First and foremost, I am a student!
The idea of a "practice" is sometimes less appealing to us. The idea of repetition, and then repetition quite possibly resulting in failure is just....daunting. Maybe even a "waste of time".
We're pretty much living in an era of instant gratification. Hell, if it takes an iPhone more than 10 seconds to respond to our requests we render it useless! So how on earth are we expected to invest effort into a "practice"? Because...that's just it. A true approach to a practice of any sort is an investment in ourselves.
I see it in my students quite a bit. Frustration that they barely made it on their mats, frustration in a pose, frustration getting out of a pose, frustration breathing or finding themselves on their left side when I cued the right. I tell my students all the time, if practice held no purpose we'd all be football players and world class pianists.
When you get yourself into a practice, when you become a student of any kind....there is no ultimate. Only infinite. Infinite learning, infinite patience, infinite possibilities.
The beauty of investing your time and your efforts is the breakdown. Eventually, something clicks. Awareness kicks in and you...get it! Whether you're practicing yoga, a subject, an instrument, a sport, a trade, or even how to love...keep going. There are so many obstacles that find their way to our paths...the repetition and determination practice provides IS what helps us overcome. The very concepts we're avoiding and judging are the key!
Whatever you're practicing, you'll fail at least once. Possibly more than once.
Still...KEEP GOING!
Failure does not define us, nor do our most glamorous achievements.
Courage, strength, determination, and the most humble parts of any practice lead to fulfillment that keeps us going.
Going...to the places too wild to even dream up!
Love, love, LOVE!
