DAY 7
"Every blade of grass has its angel that bends over it and whispers, 'Grow, grow.'"—The Talmud
Gates writes, “Many of us spend years trying to alleviate the world’s suffering without first confronting our own. The belief that we can heal the world without healing ourselves is what the Yoga Sutras refer to as a lack of true knowledge. The truth is, when we are happy, we spread happiness; when we are in pain, we spread suffering. If we aim to alleviate the world’s suffering, we must begin with our own minds and bodies. We must practice yoga.”
But how do we begin alleviating suffering when we struggle to connect with our own? “We must practice yoga,” says Gates, and I couldn’t agree more! If we embrace all that yoga offers to our minds, bodies, and spirits, it helps us see through the weeds and veils—whether self-imposed or not—that block us from addressing what we dislike within ourselves or in the world around us. Yoga is like a skilled treasure hunter, guiding us through obstacles to uncover the treasures hidden inside. Once we find those golden nuggets within ourselves, we naturally encourage others to find theirs. That’s why the Talmud’s quote is so profound when applied to humanity: each of us is a single blade of grass, worthy of our own angelic cheering section. When we do our inner work, we energetically help others to “Grow, grow!”
Now, think about how it feels when someone you love and trust supports you. We do better, feel better, and become better when we realize we’re not alone, even when it seems that way. Whether we recognize it or not, we are always with GUS. If we can remember that, we know we are always supported! To those who might be skeptical, I encourage you to reflect on how it feels to have even one person on your side, cheering you on. And if you can’t think of anyone else, place yourself firmly on your own side. First and foremost, I remind my students and clients to include themselves in their own equation—like the “oxygen mask on yourself first” principle. For some, though, that can be a challenge. Feelings of unworthiness or low self-esteem often get in the way—and yes, there’s a chakra for that! This is a very real, widespread struggle I see not only in individuals but on a global scale.
As today’s passage explains, “The truth is, when we are happy, we spread happiness; when we are in pain, we spread suffering.” Whether we like it or not, we each have a responsibility for the well-being of others. If we suffer, so do those around us. If we are happy, our happiness radiates outward. Why? Because our energy ripples. You’ve probably heard of the Butterfly Effect or the Dalai Lama’s teachings on how waves form from the drop of a pebble in the ocean. Whether or not you believe a butterfly can cause hurricanes, or tsunamis start from a pebble, the core idea remains: our thoughts, behaviors, and interactions affect not only each other but the entire planet.
If we viewed one another like blades of grass and offered encouragement, drawing from the vast wells of kindness within ourselves, imagine what the world could be like. That’s why I include the “Joy on the 5’s” segment in each of my podcasts. The connection here is undeniable! This book from 2012 is so relevant to my life right now.
Imagine if we paused throughout the day to consciously cultivate more joy. Just like we get the news, weather, and traffic updates “on the 5’s,” why not add joy into that routine? I gave one of my clients the homework of setting an alarm at five minutes to the hour, reminding her to practice joy. As she began to find, feel, and create joy within herself she began to feel better about herself first, then her job and co-workers, people she met at the store, and so on. So who’s to say the practice of cultivating joy within herself wouldn’t create more joy in the entire world? Hmmm? And for sure, what’s the harm in trying? What’s the harm in being our own cheerleaders, or relying on our spirit team—or even fellow humans—for support? Zero harm, zero!
Knowing we are always supported is the key. Cultivating trust in ourselves, so that we can say, “I’ve got you. You’ve got this. You’re awesome!” takes practice, faith, and humor. Please, include humor! Laughter is medicine, and I’d love to see a hurricane of happiness stirred up by someone’s chuckle. Imagine that world!
Namaste, and thank you for reading!
Lauri
Comments