Rewards

I had one of those great ideas the other day. You know the kind, where in the cool of the evening hours when you're winding down for the day, you suddenly have this trickle of a thought of something that would be a really excellent thing to do on a daily basis involving early mornings and a lot of discipline. And the best part about it from your perspective in the evening is that it wouldn't start until tomorrow. So you have this great opportunity to feel all glowing with health and noble intentions but you don't have to actually do anything about it yet.

The tricky part comes the next morning when you just can't quite make it out of bed so now you feel bad about yourself. But that's not what this post is about. This post is about what happens when you DO get out of bed the next morning and follow through with your great idea.

Last week I had the great idea of getting up early, walking the mile down a bluff close to my house to the beach, and doing my yoga practice there to start my day. So I did and you know it really is a great way to start the day. On my second day of practice as I was walking to the beach I heard a big thump next to me, like something big had fallen out of a tree nearby. I started to walk over to investigate and suddenly only a couple of feet away from me an eagle swooped down out of the sky to scoop up the fish he had dropped (thus, the thump) and then flew away, pursued by a flock of hungry crows. I walked further down the beach to a nice sandy spot where 3 great blue herons kept me company during my practice. In honor of my bird companions for the day I practiced Heron and Eagle poses. I would have done Crow but wasn't sure I could balance on my hands in sand.

I don't go down there every single morning. For one thing, I can't do a really complete yoga practice in sand. And for another, I don't really want to always get up that early. But the times that I go I am rewarded greatly by a feeling of physical well-being, by a connection with the larger world, by the peacefulness of sand and sea, by the company of great beings who share the world with us. And most of all, by the knowledge that I have kept my promise to myself, made in my intention in the cool of evening.

Reward yourself. Keep a promise to yourself.

copyright 2007 J. Autumn Needles