I was taught that struggle was good and godly when I was young. I knew that the more struggle I endured, the better and that the answer to struggle was to work harder and push through more.
I was taught to fight with my life, in fact.
I now know that this is one of the many ways my brain was controlled by the extreme religion, or cult, in which I grew up, and I now know that none of this is remotely true.
But I can still be programmed to fight with my life and to push harder and more. I was groomed that way.
So, when my yoga instructor said, “If you’re in a place of struggle, back off a bit,” it bounced off the walls encasing my brain that were erected when I was a child, in order to keep me in submission, and then eased into the cracks in those walls that I have been creating over my decades of healing.
If you’re in a place of struggle, back off a bit.
I am learning more and more, day by day, to let go more, ease off more, play more, laugh more, take breaks more, and back off a bit more. It is still new behavior, and it will always be powerful behavior.
I am in a place of struggle – some situational and some self-induced. My first step, as always, is to put my hand on my heart, take a few deep breaths, and tell myself that I love myself, that I’m okay, and that I can let go.
To love and care for myself first, most, and always.
I can pause. I can try less hard. I can back off a bit.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, and please share this post with others if it resonates with you!
