Recently after watching the movie Dumplin’, I realized that Dolly Parton had a lot of good ideas and sayings. The one that really stuck with me is “Find out who you are, and do it on purpose.” I think finding out who we are and who we want to be and doing what we’re destined to be can be stressful. And these thoughts continue to stir because we can feel lost or confused. But if we continue to make small choices that make us feel inherently good, I think that’s on purpose. I think it’s through the small everyday choices that we find who we are because what we do when no one is watching speaks more than what we do in front of others. I always say follow what makes you feel light, and I try my hardest to live by that mantra. My body and my mind already know, so for me and my mind, learning more about myself is really just remembering who I am.
So part of my challenge to myself this year is to continue to lean into what makes me uncomfortable, while still learning to be comfortable and authentic to myself. I don’t want to post on social media to just post and say something. I don’t want to avoid difficult situations, stalling the inevitable. Really, I don’t want to be inauthentic when I’m being me, whether I’m teaching yoga or when I’m a student. However change and discovery take time, and there will be ups and downs. Life is amazing and sweet, but it can also be cold and difficult. As humans, we can only try to remember who we are and offer support and kindness for others on their journey.
For 2019, and really for the rest of my life, I intend to get curious and explore what it means to be me and how to stay me.