“To my mind, the idea that doing dishes is unpleasant can occur only when you aren’t doing them. Once you are standing in front of the sink with your sleeves rolled up and your hands in the warm water, it is really quite pleasant. I enjoy taking my time with each dish, being fully aware of the dish, the water, and each movement of my hands. I know that if I hurry in order to eat dessert sooner, the time of washing dishes will be unpleasant and not worth living. That would be a pity,for each minute, each second of life is a miracle. The dishes themselves and that fact that I am here washing them are miracles!”
–Thich Nhat Hanh
One of the Niyamas (self-restraints) in the 8 Limbs of Yoga, Santosha is the practice of contentment and non-attachment. Encouraging us to let go of attachment to materialistic tendencies and outward "images".
Sound simple enough. Right? Try it. Ask yourself several times a day if you are content (in any given moment).
Sound simple enough. Right? Try it. Ask yourself several times a day if you are content (in any given moment).
*please disregard if you have many toddlers or train wild animals.
We are all the same, yet we see each other as so different from one another. Plus for some strange reason we feel the need to compare everything all the damn time. Comparing leads to jealousy, which lead to anger, and so on, and so on, and it feels gross. YES ultimately we are coming from different days, situations and energies, but we all want the same thing: to be loved and to feel comfortable. It's up to us to find this freedom and to feel content.
We are all the same, yet we see each other as so different from one another. Plus for some strange reason we feel the need to compare everything all the damn time. Comparing leads to jealousy, which lead to anger, and so on, and so on, and it feels gross. YES ultimately we are coming from different days, situations and energies, but we all want the same thing: to be loved and to feel comfortable. It's up to us to find this freedom and to feel content.
With the Hipbees WildCraft line I am expressing my "wild side". A wild side that is usually "content" doing laundry and feeding small people. It's hard sometimes to be totally content with daily life, yet we must! And we must find a way to find joy in the small things. No matter what. Small things like great coffee (OH YES!) and yummy food, and feeling cozy by a fire, and snuggling (oh the snuggling).
Here are three ways I am trying to find MORE Santosha (contentment) every darn day:
1. Stop Assuming
I sometimes assume people's moods/actions are because of something I've done. Even worse, I always assume people are more happy than me because they have figured out something I haven't or are better at things I am clearly not good at. (YIKES)
Instead of this BS how about not assuming? At all. If I need to know I ask, if I don't really need to know ~then I just don't compare, and instead I just LOVE with all my heart and keep doing my own thing!!!
2. Let Go Of Control
There is just some stuff you can not change or be in control of (that includes people). Instead of beating my head against a wall or staying in a rotten loop, I just focus on the breath and remember that nothing is permanent, nothing. I focus on getting cozy, and changing up the situation to be a more comfortable one (like going outside, or taking a bath).
3. Look for the Good
Wanna feel content? Look for things that make you feel good. Sounds simple but no, you need to work at it. If I read some troubling news? (yeh, like everyday) I temper that with some news of people doing good in the world (yes, there are lots of those people).
I also try the compliment sandwich technique on daily life: mmm yummy coffee, then deal with a jerk, then go look at some plants (or motorcycles, or the kids -differs daily).
THE END
Okay, if you made it through reading the ramblings, then you deserve a treat! Go forth and find some contentment!
Love yourself always, you must! (That sounded like Yoda, but he was a smart guy).
