Good morning!
It’s still raining. And dark. Yuk!
Shortly after my Fluffy White Clouds post last week, I received a wonderful email from a friend who is currently in yoga teacher training. She told me that I might enjoy the 7 axioms/Universal Truths that they were taught in her yoga class.
I loved them so much, I thought I would pass them on to you! I have printed the list and will be placing it on my vision board because I find it so inspirational.
Zuda Yoga Teacher Training – 7 axioms/Universal Truths
1. You are exactly where you are supposed to be
2. Fear and pain are life’s greatest teachers
3. Laughter and play are the keys to the fountain of youth
4. Exercise and rest are the keys to vibrant health
5. Touch and intimacy are basic human needs
6. Everything is impermanent
7. Everything is connected
I love the first one especially- ‘You are exactly where you are supposed to be’.
I think that we can often get caught up in where we think we should be or where we want to be, but to realize that we are exactly where we should be at this very moment in time is very powerful.
To accept where we are at this moment helps remove the guilt that so many of us face every single day. To appreciate the times when we are struggling or having a bad day and to realize that even the moments that seem difficult, upsetting, flawed, or discouraging all have their particular place.
How many times have you been down on yourself because you felt like you should or shouldn’t have done something?
Or that you let someone down?
Or that you ate too much?
Or that you should have found a job by now?
Or that you should have had a baby by the time you hit 30?
Or that you shouldn’t have said something or you should have stood up to someone?
We all have regrets and we all have guilt, but often it helps to take a step back and to release some of the guilt that we all have over our heads.
We all make mistakes. We all have things we struggle with in life. But to realize that where we are right now is where we are supposed to be can be very freeing.
It does not mean that we have to stay in a negative situation; it simply means that everything has a learning purpose in our lives.
I always say that if I didn’t struggle so much with making the wrong career choice, I would never be where I am today. Sometimes we must go through hard times to really push ourselves and grow!
Lately I have been struggling with motivation. Instead of feeling worse about it, I think it might help to accept it for what it is and then think of ways that might help how I am feeling. I am considering joining a local community gym for a few months to add some new challenges to my routine. I used to LOVE doing body pump and spinning classes in university and I think I might love to add classes back into my life. I am definitely going to look into my options and what is out there for me during the colder months. I am also thinking about signing up for a Fall race since I currently don’t have anything on the horizon.
These 7 Universal Truths help me understand that every day has a place and purpose….even the bad ones.
With this in mind, my pancake fail this morning wasn’t so bad. ;)
LOL…this my friends is what we call #pancakefail.
Why is writing #pancakefail so much fun?
I shall return with endorphins in my blood and a recipe success. :)
I know that feeling – I’ve had many pancake fails in my day haha! Especially with coconut flour. Sigh…
i have never heard the 7 truths…i love them, so true and what fantastic “life” reminders…i will definitely be hanging that in my home. thanks for sharing.
Aww sad pancake! Thanks for sharing those universal truths. I feel like I need to tattoo that first one on me!
I had a serious pancake fail this morning too! i haven’t posted about it yet, but it actually turned out be a success by becoming “pumpkin mousse”. strange, but veryyy delicious :)
I have definitely had baking fails in my day – a pancake fail to be exact!
I MADE YOUR PUMPKIN GINGERBREAD WITH SPICED BUTTERCREAM FROSTING!!!!!
check it out here http://www.snackingsquirrel.com/2010/10/vegan-pumpkin-gingerbread.html
OMG- LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!!!
Thank you so much Angela <3 <3
Thank you again for a great post! I myself have been struggling with fertility issues, including a recent miscarraige, while friends are getting pregnant and having babies. Just turing 30, I have put myself on a timeline that I should have a baby by now…and reading this today made me realize that maybe now is not that time…yet.
Jen
This is exactly what I needed to hear today. It’s as if you read my mind! I’m feeling frustrated today about “where I am” and this helps immensely. I’ve been reading your blog frequently in the last month or so, and I just wanted to tell you I love it. You have a great attitude, and aren’t afraid to reveal slip-ups, like the pancakefail or the stumble outside (hope you are ok!), while still maintaining positivity. THANK YOU!
Thank you, I love this! I carry so much guilt around and it is something I struggle with every day. When I think about how much time I feel bad for not doing what I ‘should’ do or for choosing to do something I enjoy, I start to feel even more guilty! Taking each moment for what it is would be very helpful. Thanks for giving me something to think about!
This really moved me. Thanks so much for sharing.
I would like to add one more universal truth
8. The Gingerbread Soft Serve really does taste just like a gingerbread cookie.
hahaha I concur!!!
I love this quote, it really motivates me – hopefully will do the same for you:
“Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a lion or gazelle – when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.” – Anonymous
After teaching yoga for 10 years, I love the truths she/you posted! And I would add, to live in the now; to let go of the past and not worry about the future. Do the now. Live the now. And not worry about the rest.
I think it’s great you’re going to join a gym possibly. Keeping things FRESH is the name of the game. Our bodies and lives are always in flux, nothing is ever the same so what worked last month may not work NOW. Our job is to find what’s gonna work today, now, and sounds like you’re right on track.
Pancake fail…I love that you posted it…we dont all whip up vegan thanksgiving parties and make it look soooooo easy and fabulous as you did. Even you had a ‘cake fail. I admit to tons of fails!!
haha!
:)
I love the 7 Universal Truths. Thanks for the great reminder and yes, that first one it the golden one! :)
Thanks for sharing your cooking fails. Sometimes I think I am ther only one still burning muffins or unable to flip pancakes.
We learned another one in karate yesterday. It’s kind of related to the “fear and pain are the greatest teachers”..but so is anger. Whenever you get angry at someone/something..you learn what your limits are. So sensei said whenever you get angry, you should thank the person for teaching you a lesson. :P
#1 is huge for me too!!! I feel I’m always so worried about getting to the finish line that I don’t enjoy the journey…This is going to be printed out and put everywhere:)
thank you for sharing!!
Your posts always make me stop and think about the big picture. I am completely guilty of getting so caught up in the past or what the future will bring that I forget to embrace the present. So, thank you, Angela. I hope you have a wonderful day!
Ok so I confess I am a complete lurker!! I read your site everyday but this is my first time commenting :) I loved this mornings post. We are having some financial troubles right now and i know it will work out (its always does) and the first truth hit me hard!! We really are EXACTLY where we are suppose to be RIGHT now!! Thank you for posting this!! Instead of focusing on what we don’t have ($$) I am going to focus on what we DO have and what is positive in our lives!! We struggled to get pregnant for 4 long years and we are 17 weeks this Friday!!! In the grand scheme of things THIS is what counts not that we are having to tighten up the purse strings for a few months. Thanks again Angela!!!
remember everything is impermanent too!!!
Love those 7 axioms/Universal Truths- something I have to remember is #1 as well – a good phrase to remember that is for sure.
I really like your idea of a vision board. I think I need to do something similiar to that!
I love that. I agree completely, be content with where you are because it serves a purpose to where you’ll be. : )