Waiting

Today I was sitting in the airport waiting for my flight to board. I noticed some passengers slumped in their waiting room seats, many on their phones, others sleeping, some visibly anxious, others bored, and still others sitting around with vacant stares.

What does it mean to wait?

How we approach waiting could be the difference between a stressful experience or an opportunity to see life in a new way.

So I looked around with different eyes and noticed the little girl looking outside at the airplanes and making excited gestures with her hands (pure innocence and joy!); the middle aged man taking off his glasses and sitting at the edge of his seat for a deep breath and a stretch (I could tell his satisfaction from the sublime look on his face); the wheelchair bound folks looking up expectantly at a young airline employee who exuberantly came by to check in and reassure them (a few kind words and upbeat attitude changed everything.) These seemingly mundane moments were uplifting and hopeful, and suddenly my waiting became watching, wondering, and connecting. Life is going on all around us and there are opportunities everywhere to observe and to participate with life, not wait for something to happen. These little, frequent bites of awareness, absorption, and connection accumulate as positive energy, and over time they help us feel better about our corner of the world.

When you join me on your mat, you'll learn the skills of tapping into life affirming moments; your job is to go and share it with the world in your practice off the mat. Namaste my friends!