The hardest part is starting (a birthday offering for you)🎉

Hey Reader

The other day when I was struggling with motivation to get on my mat, I wrote a little journal entry to reflect what was happening inside of me. I’m sharing it with you because I think you might find benefit in it as well when you’re struggling to remain consistent or get started with something you know is good for you.
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The thing is, even after years of committing to doing the work, it still takes recommitment every day. And it isn’t always easy, even when it has been a way of living for such a long time.
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So if you’re in that place of struggling to keep moving towards your goals or intentions or resolutions for the year, you have the choice.

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Even when life tries to stop you and throws storms at you, you have the choice.

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The choice to give up or the choice to persist.

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So without further ado, here it is… (oh, and read to the end, I’m sharing a card that I drew yesterday on my birthday, and want it to be for you all as well. I think it speaks beautifully to today’s message.)

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“ I don’t want to get on my mat today. ​ Am I hiding from something? ​ Possibly. ​ But the story in my mind is that there’s just so much other stuff to do. ​ The list is long. ​ I’ve beat this game before, and I know what I truly need. ​ ​ To practice. ​ To move my body. ​ To have the focus, flow and clarity that comes from physically tapping into the inner being through movement. ​ ​ And yet, here I am writing instead… on my mat so as to inspire me and not lose the little motivation that I do have to practice. ​ ​ Because my body needs movement. ​ It craves it, and yet, at the same time part of my body (my brain) is trying to convince me otherwise. To take the easy way out, and just stay busy with other stuff. ​ ​ But is that really the easy way? ​ ​ Because if I neglect to move my body mindfully, I will struggle in other ways all. day. long. ​ ​ My focus will be lacking. My body will be tight and sore. My linear, left brain will cause undue suffering from overthinking and criticizing. ​ ​ And I’ll likely end the day feeling like I still need to do something… Or like I didn’t get anything done at all. ​ ​ Is a day of suffering worth the 45-60 minutes it will take me to feel whole and complete after moving, breathing and meditating on my mat? ​ ​ So I choose. ​ I choose to commit. I choose to honor my res{e}t time and move forward ready to take on whatever storm comes my way. ​ I choose to practice. ​ ​ Practice embodying the person I am becoming. The person who hears all the thoughts and to-do lists and chaos in her mind and remains centered even still. ​ ​ I choose to move, breathe and meditate. I choose to organize my energy. I choose to res{e}t to reconnect. ​ I choose to practice. — Cathy Struecker

Allow this to apply to any part of your life. I know it does.

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In some Indigenous cultures it was (and still is) customary for the one with the birthday to give the gifts rather than receive. So, in offering that same sentiment to you, I drew this card…

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“There are times in life to step back and even times to walk away, but there are also times to stand up for yourself… Face your anxiety and go beyond the boundaries of limited perceptions of yourself.

… You are indeed a light bearer for others.

And you have the power to choose.

Choose to practice.

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Whatever it is in life. Choose to practice.

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Cheers,

Cathy

P.S. The link for the cards is an affiliate link, if you choose to make a purchase after clicking on it, thank you; you’re supporting my small business as you do, and I do receive a small commission from your purchase.