3 rules to make everything awesomely okay

I read this article by yoga teacher, Alanna Kaivalya, in the 2nd issue of Mantra magazine a few months ago. I LOVE it and wanted to share it with you here.

"In the 13 years I've been teaching yoga, I've been around the block enough to witness people trying to fit themselves into a yoga box- one that tells them they "should" act or behave a certain way in order to be a yogi.  Some fall prey to yoga dogma and force themselves into an inauthentic mode of self-expression that wears Lululemon pants and is stuffed with kale.  Let's cut the bullshit, get out of the box, and start living authentically. Here are some rules to follow:"

1. Don't get weird. If you're already weird- in whatever way that might manifest itself- let your freak flag fly. And don't go changin' simply because you get the impression that you "should" to fit in with yoga.  There are few things that are a bigger bummer than leading an inauthentic life, like trying to fit yourself into a rainbow filled sparkling box of yoga sunshine if that ain't your gig.  No need to trade your motorcycle boots for hemp flip-flops or your bangles for a bindi...unless you sincerely feel moved to do so.  Yoga can help you to feel more authentically you.  Let yoga fit into your life, not the other way around.

2. Just try to be less of an asshole. Let's be honest.  We are all human.  There are gonna be good days and there are going to be bad days.  As much as we move around on our mat, life's challenges will push us to the brink and occasionally kill our yoga buzz.  Can we all just allow ourselves to be human and agree to try to be less of a jerk in those stressful times?  It won't always work, but it sure is more possible than trying to be a perfect ray of sunshine all the time.  That's a standard no one can achieve and will only result in greater frustration.  Quit it.  Do your best and keep on keepin' on.

3. Always be ready. You never know when it's going to happen.  And, by it, I mean your life.  Always be ready.  Say yes to the opportunities that arise, because interestingly, everything that appears before you is meant just for you and is an opportunity to engage in and participate with your life.  It's like that quote by Joseph Campbell, "We are not looking for the meaning of life, so much as we are looking for the experience of being alive."  Well, this is it.  Start saying a hearty "yes" to all the moments of your life- the good, the bad, and the ugly, because they're all yours.  Engage in the experience, don't shy away, and what you'll find is that life will unfold itself as a perfect expression of your active participation.