Practice makes Perfect

In my life, and in watching Shane's life (and transformation) I am noticing some themes.. Some ways of doing life that keep coming to the foreground. As we add more and more good things to our lives the goodness is becoming more and more distilled and there is this clarity.

As I have been practicing Yoga I have learned what it is to have a practice, and I now realize that these good things we do in our lives everyday to help us live well and learn and grow are also a practice.

To me a practice is something we do regularly on purpose, with effort (but without striving) with an open heart and mind that will passively grow us and change us if we let it.

There are many things that everyone can practice which will help them move forward along their path in a direction of strength and peace and understanding. I am pretty sure that most of these things will help everyone without exception..

Things like..

Healthy nutrition

Good quality sleep

Healthy relationships

Exercise

Meditation

Yoga

Learning

Surrender

There are other things that you can practice that may be more specific to your own personal goals or personality type. These things will also benefit your life! These are specific skills like music, art, dance, massage, fixing a car, poker, writing,  chess, cooking, energy healing... Anything you do, with effort on a regular basis, you can improve upon.

The new things I'm learning also become a part of my daily practice. I try to practice a new thing every month (because it takes a month to build new brain pathways and new habits). It gives me time to see how it changes me and to make adjustments. This month, for instance, I was going to try practicing mindful breathing as much as I could, but it would seem that this is too ambitious for me at this time, so right now I'm just practicing noticing.. Whenever I remember to notice, I take notice of what I'm doing,thinking,feeling.. And I try to remember to breathe (and often have to remind myself to relax)

Another one of my ongoing practices is to remember to just be.. With the people I'm with. Remembering to look at their eyes.. Think about what they are saying (not about other things), and reflecting on what they are saying.. Not reacting to it.

To practice is beautiful because it changes us and causes us to grow!