Motivation- Useful & Useless At The Same Time

Thursday, October 22, 2020 (Part I)

Woke at 4:30am this morning, a little later than normal, and I'm on my mat at a shockingly late 6:00am. Far too much time dawdling, and watching re-runs of Great British Baking Show on Netflix (#maryberry4lyfe).

Today is the third morning of practice this week. For whatever reason, I've felt decreasing amounts of enthusiasm for my practice as the week's progressed (shouldn't I be feeling more enthusiastic as the week goes by, and my flexibility and strength grow?).

One of the tenants/rules/principles that I've learned through my practice is that discipline beats motivation. In other words, forcing yourself to do something you're not motivated to accomplish is an exercise in good mental health, as your "feelings" and "motivation" will fluctuate with the wind.

Time to begin...

Thursday, October 22, 2020 (Part II),

No mojo in this morning's practice,....and that's ok.

Prayer, meditation, Asanas, and closing sequence all were fine, but not great....and that's ok.

Feeling a bit unfocused....and that's ok.

Tomorrow will (and always shall be) different.

Namaste

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The Rebuild

Tuesday, July 10, 2018 Woke at my usual 4:45AM this morning for coffee and contemplation. Feeling wonderful this morning, and not terribly sore at all. There's a bit of stiffness in my back from yesterday's backbends, but that's to be expected. Ready to sweat it out on my mat. Tuesday, July 10, 2018 (Part II) I'm writing this off my mat, already showered up for my day. I love going to my mat. The physical challenge alone is reward enough, but, while I've said it many times before, the mental and spiritual adjustments that one can make are priceless. Physically, I already see a difference in my body. Arms are still re-building their stamina, but the twists and forward bends I incorporate are already helping with digestion and elimination and the general "deflating" of my body and G.I. track (TMI, I'm sure, but this is one of the main physical reasons why I practice). Mentally, I feel prepared for anything that comes my way today and fe...

Asana

Monday, March 30, 2020 After no physical practice/Asanas on Friday, and no yoga over the weekend, I notice that it's difficult to stay motivated and dedicated to my practice at times. Additionally, I ran a solo-10K this weekend (the St. Louis GO! Marathon/Half-Marthon/10K was cancelled, like most public events), and the additional tenderness in my feet, legs, etc. definitely told me not to get on my mat. Monday blues/malaise, essentially.....a "negative mind"... When I'm on my mat, feeling like it's pointless, and that the day ahead is pointless, and that the efforts I'll expend to make things better are pointless, I can go back to the foundations of my life. First, what do I live for? I live for God. That is my attempted mantra every day. It is not for me/you to understand the purpose of anything. Pulling yourself out of an equation is very liberating in that you're no longer attached to the result. It's 5:27AM as I type this, and it...

Weeds Grow Back

Wednesday, September 20, 2023 Anything you cultivate, care for, or grow with intention (like a garden, yoga practice, or a clear and still mind) will have unwanted, elements to it. The analogy of weeding is a good one as it draws up a physical image of a garden with unwanted characteristics in it that must be pulled out. Our minds, mine included, are the same. "Weeds" like anger, etc. will pop up. Left too long, they'll grow stronger and one gets accustomed to seeing them to the point where one just accepts it....." that's just me" is an overly popular phrase that's used today to excuse all sorts of ridiculous, underdeveloped behaviors. Time to begin today's practice, and weed the mental garden.... Part II: As always, I'm writing Part II on my mat after my practice has concluded. Weeds grow back for sure. Sometimes, in as little as one day. Time to enter the world. Namste

James Walsh Yoga

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