Your Non-Negotiables List

I came across this beautiful post on MindBodyGreen about Non-Negotiables.



As I'm transitioning back into full time teaching (which means lots of travel to and fro, and lots of irregular hours) it's really important for me to create my own list.



It was a really interesting task to complete - tell me, friends, what is on your list of Non-Negotiables?



xo

Do you ever feel like you compromise yourself? Are your happiness and success secondary? Check out the ten things in your life that need to be non-negotiable.

 

1. Your physical, mental, and emotional well-being

The fact is that your well-being is the foundation of your success. When your physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional needs are met, you will thrive.

 

2. A healthy relationship with yourself

When you become your own best friend, you no longer need the approval of everyone around you. Because at the end of the day when you can say “I love you, and I honor you, and I respect you” to YOU, then you can do, be, and have anything that you want.

 

3. The way that you speak to yourself

Your life is a reflection of the conversation that you are having with yourself. Transform the conversation you are having with yourself, transform your life. Period.

 

4. A clean and uncluttered living space

Your home, office, and car speaks volumes. Clutter is negative energy and will stop the flow of abundance into your life. Regardless of how big or small, you deserve to enter into a space that fills you up and gives you peace of mind.

 

5. Keeping your word to yourself and others

The highest level of integrity is achieved when you keep your word to yourself and to others. Your word is all that you have, it is what defines your credibility, or lack thereof.

 

6. Associating with positive people

My dad used to say me when I was 12  years old, “Tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are.” The company that you keep has a direct affect on how what you think and what you do. Remember that your space is sacred and who you allow into your space is crucial to your happiness and success.

 

7. Your values

What matters the most to you? Love, joy, compassion, relationships? When you are clear on what you value and you live your life according to those values you are...unshakeable.

8. Living debt-free

Having debt is like walking around with a ton of bricks on your shoulders. Take a look at what you are spending your money on. Are you living from paycheck to paycheck? Are your purchases needs or wants? Learning to be financially responsible to is one of the biggest gifts you can give to yourself.

 

9. Having fun

As children fun was non-negotiable. As children we could make anything fun!!! Often times we think we need to accomplish a huge goal to have fun. But having fun is as important, if not more than working hard (or smart)

 

10. Giving yourself permission to dream big and DO big

The best things in life are free....starting with your imagination. Give yourself the permission to envision a life so wild and fabulous that even you get goosebumps thinking about it. The only thing in between your dream and reality is your commitment to take action.

Never Give Up

For 2 years I've dreamed of running an ecourse. But gee there were doubts: what if no-one signed up? what if it flopped? what if people signed up but didn't like it?



For years I've dreamed of making shiny yoga* bigger and brighter. But yep, more doubts: where would the money come from? what if no one came? what if they came and hated my teaching?




Well, pooh to that.



Kris Carr talks about fear holding us back and in fact I was teaching a yoga class this week with a theme of fear and resistance, and offered my students to think of a big fear in their life, a big worry - and to picture what would happen if that fear came true.  So what if no one came to my class? What if people didn't dig me? Picture it, feel it, and then realise that often the fear isn't as bad as reality.



Here's a counter "what-if" for you: WHAT IF people came, and like my class? Or they did sign up? And my dreams came true? Maybe my worries aren't about failing at all, but succeeding. And if they fall in a pile and no one comes, at least I'm not living in the forever land of 'what-bloody-if'.

Image via the wonderful Julian Bialowas, who you can read more about here :)

So today, here's some hOMework for you. Pick a quiet dream of yours. Put it out there. Picture what would happen - the joys, the sadnesses, the successes and if you must, the failures. And then do it anyway.



Do you dare to live? I do!!! xo

"What do you need today, kid?"

I was glancing around the internet (haven't had much time for that lately!) and read this quote, 

"What do you need today, kid?"

Oh I had to write it down and then I took special notice of it! Because today was one of those days.

It started with me teaching a 6:45am class, then heading to a morning meeting with a dear friend, then heading to work, teaching another class, doing more work and gulping down lunch, teaching another class, looking at the clock and freaking out at the time, doing more work and then coming home. To open the computer and get online again. Yep. One of those days.

So when I read this quote, I stopped. I switched off the work email. I opened up the blog. I read some emails from friends, responded to some texts from the women in my life who I've not been in touch with enough lately. I sat down on the couch and put my feet up.

You know, it's really busy at work. So so busy. But then I realised that I don't work alone - there are many other people at work with me. And I bet those people aren't at home right now working on their emails and getting through the night with stress. Team work is where it's at. And I'm not holding the ship, I'm just part of the team. So the email has been turned off.

When chatting with my dear friend this morning (and that's a whole post in itself... SO exciting!) she mentioned that she thought most women will give up their yoga practice when life is busy. They'll give up a daily practice because they're too busy helping others, giving up their time or placing it as less of a priority than the needs of others.

When I had a student come in looking so stressed this evening, telling me she hadn't come to class for a week because it's just too busy, I immediately thought of my morning conversation.

We do. We really do give up the things that keep us going in these tough and busy times.Yes, it's a generalisation, but I was looking at a clear example right in front of me. And within me!

So I'm taking note right now, and listening to the little note the universe kicked my way courtesy of the internet. "What do you need today, kid?"

Me? I need a long hot shower with plenty of my special ]use-for-special-occasions, christmas present body wash. I need to get into bed with the kindle and read - not work stuff, but inspiring, novel-like, light-hearted goodness. Then I need to put on a meditation cd and drift off to sleep, being grateful for the beautiful day I did have and the connections i made with the gorgeous students I have the honour to practice with, around the stress. Hmmm indeed!

Friends, what do YOU need today? And can you take just 5 minutes to give it to yourself?

Please join me : ) I know you deserve it, simply because YOU are YOU.

Namaste xo