Good-bye and Hello

I can't believe it's gone by so quickly, but it's almost time to say good-bye to 2011 and hello to 2012. As usual around this time, I've been reflecting on the year gone by. I've said good-bye to a great many things/people/circumstances/situations this past year, with a hello to new things/people/circumstances/situations following close behind. I've noticed that pattern this year -- I only get to say hello to the new when I say good-bye to what I've been stubbornly holding on to. Life is funny that way, eh? It reminds me of a card that I received a little over four years with the Zen proverb that made my heart race -- leap and the net will appear. 

Yes, the leap can be scary, but without it, there's nothing ventured. Yes, you often can't have a hello without first saying good-bye. Then again, I might be wrong here -- perhaps the leap isn't scary but exhilarating. And just because people associate good-bye with sadness doesn't mean that saying good-bye can't be a good thing. Speaking from personal experience this year -- my good-byes have all been positive. And it's those good-byes that have allowed me to say hello to new experiences, new ways of being, more positive choices for my life. That's right -- not all good-byes are bad. And not all leaps are scary. One thing I can say for sure though -- both are necessary at some point in one's life. 

So, what are you saying good-bye to and hello to as you head into this new year?

This morning I said hello to a different sort of yoga practice. I actually put on some music (normally I don't like to practice with music playing in the background) and did a fluid, dynamic version of Sun Salutations that looked nothing like I've learned in past teacher trainings or in a yoga class or workshop (and didn't even closely resemble what I teach to clients either). Instead, I focused on moving in a way that felt good rather than practiced, fluid rather than rigid, unique rather than classical. The change felt good. Will my daily practice always look like it did this morning? Probably not. That's the thing about good-byes and hellos -- they don't always have to be permanent. 

As you begin the new adventure that 2012 brings, what do you desire to say good-bye and/or hello to? What do you need to say good-bye to before you can say hello to something even better? Perhaps a little something to ponder the next time you're lying in Savasana...

Before I sign off for 2011 (no worries -- I'll be back in 2012 [wink, wink]), I wanted to share a funny and a little something useful:

• I'm not sure if I was amused or horrified that I could totally identify with this funny article on Elephant Journal. I sure did get a laugh though. And yes, I've done all 10!!!!
• If you're feeling in need of a little detox as the holiday season comes to an end, this brief video offers a variety of detox bath recipes -- one of which I've personally tried and loved. 

May your hellos and good-byes lead you to exactly where you want to go (and beyond). Hello 2012 and good-bye for now.

Namaste!

 

Comments

[CailenAscher]

Thank you for this post. I feel like I'm on a precipice and I'll I have to do to unearth my true potential is have faith and leap. But it's scary when you don't see the safety net. This is just what I needed to read to ready myself for the jump.

Namaste,
Cailen
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