We may find ourselves excited and invigorated by the chill in the air and the buzz of the season. We may find ourselves a bit fatigued battling the cold and adding holiday activities to an already overly full schedule of responsibilities. Perhaps we find ourselves completely overwhelmed, not with the current moment, but with the anticipation of the frenzy to come. There are certainly differences in our experiences, but so much depends on perspective.

We all have ideas about what should be, but much of the time the universe does not oblige. How can we shift so that we align ourselves with what actually is? It’s almost as if we shift our perspective from a movie playing in our minds, to the screen in front of us. If it is happening in reality, doesn’t that mean that it is ok, at least for the present? Can all those feelings of overwhelm and unhappiness be dissolved in the full immersion of the moment, no matter what it looks like?

The questions that linger for me are – how do I take the insight, peace and balance I gain from my yoga practice into the world, despite what is being offered to me at the time? How can the inspiration to stay in Warrior 1 even when my thigh is on fire help me to find my untapped energy and resilience when the demands of life seem overwhelming? How can my intention to stay present during Savasana help me to notice the opportunities I’m given to rest and rejuvenate? How can constantly coming back to the breath remind us of what lies beneath the messiness of life? There are so many examples of the strength and equanimity we find on the mat or cushion, and how that can help us maneuver through snow storms, challenging relatives and all the other goodies of the holiday season.

I invite you to stay connected – to your practice, to the people who mirror your own magnificence, and to all the experiences that feed your soul. I offer you deepest blessings for the holidays and our transition to a new year.