Finding Ease in Life’s Challenges

It is that time of year when half of us celebrate spring and the other half winter. What a wonderful reminder of the different experiences we all have as humans. Over the past few months, I have been diving deep into many topics, including personal development, business development, and, of course, how to best serve my community.

I see how some are excited to shake off the winter, while others are slowing down to prepare for a quieter time. Each person seeks comfort in their own way, looking for something in this change of season. This reminder is potent, as what you are doing now will change in a few months. The “work” you feel you need to do to “improve yourself” will also change as time passes. So, when do we begin to observe that change is inevitable and that our participation in it changes too?

It strikes me that often when we are actively participating in growth, we sometimes end up in overdrive, judgment, and eventually burnout. This craze of “doing the work” has become a masculine practice of rigid routines, leading to feelings of disappointment or despair when we don’t “reach our goals.” I have been investigating what it means to work smarter, not harder, to be open to receiving, and how by slowing down, things actually happen faster for us.

It seems counterproductive to “do less” when the world teaches us to “want more.”

So how do we find the balance between ambition and action, and faith that what is meant to be will be?

I am not a religious person, a spiritual one yes, but I heard this story on a Christian radio station (don’t ask me why I was dialled in, but I am glad I was because I learned this lesson) and it changed the way I think about the relationship between our autonomy in making decisions and the divine guidance on our path to getting “there,” wherever “there” might be. The story is as follows:

In a town near the coast, a weather warning was sent to everyone who lived there to evacuate the area due to impending flooding. A man who lived in the area heard the warnings, so he sat and prayed to be held safe by God and that no harm would come to him. An hour or so later, a rescue vehicle drove through the quickly rising water levels and stopped at his house to ask if he would like to evacuate. He politely declined, saying he would be fine. After a few hours, he was forced to move up to the second story of his house as the bottom was flooded, and again he prayed for God to keep him safe. Not long after he moved to the second story, a rescue boat passed by and asked him to jump in to be moved to safety. Once again, he declined and assured the rescuers that he was fine. An hour or so later, the man found himself sitting on his roof, praying for his safety with full trust that no harm would come to him. With winds blowing and water rising, he saw a helicopter approach his roof ready to airlift him to safety. But once more, he declined, and the helicopter left, leaving the man on the roof with increasing water levels and his prayers. The water came over the roof, and the man died. Once he entered heaven, confused and almost heartbroken, he asked God: “Why did you abandon me in my greatest moment of need?” And God responded: “I sent you a vehicle, a boat, and a helicopter; you chose to take none of them.”

This parable shook me on a very deep level.

What support, beauty, encouragement, and opportunities have I missed while being so deeply stuck in one way of thinking, doing, and being? It reminded me of the power we have at our disposal from within and from a much larger force. The deep connection we have to that which is always in our favor, should we choose to align with it, will always guide us. This is the power of observation and what I teach in every class of Yoga Asana, Breathwork, and Meditation. As well as all of my retreats and workshops.

It’s funny how we wish and dream for things, and sometimes they happen in the most unexpected ways. I love the saying: “Be careful what you wish for” because it is so true! You might be asking for one thing and get something completely different. This is all about intention. Intention is the power that carries us from this version of ourselves to a version that is more aware, more conscious, and more connected.

In the end, “doing the work” shouldn’t feel like work. Yes, discipline is required, and most of us have a misguided idea of what discipline is. There is also energy, effort, and engagement required for things to change. But if something comes from a very deep, very authentic, and aligned place from within, just watch how naturally and easily things can flow.

You might not think you have the answers right now, but trust me, they will come. But only if you are willing to slow down and become still long enough to hear something larger speak. You have everything you need inside you for growth, and “doing the work” also means LIVING YOUR LIFE! For it is in the in-between moments where we truly feel the magic that it is to be alive.

I thank you for reading this Blog post.
Much Love.
Kath – Founder and Creator of the Aligned Living Podcast

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