Day 353: Mind and Body

This past year has been about writing. It was my goal to set an intention for every day and push myself to accomplish that goal every day. Now, my focus is shifting. As I get older, I observe more and more the value of every little thing in life. Material possessions are enjoyable to an extent, but to be dependant on them is unhealthy. For years I have attempted to shed my mental and physical attachments because attachments become addictions. There are the obvious types of addictions: tobacco, alcohol, food, and television. And there are the subtle attachments: headphones with music whenever your traveling, chewing gum after meals, or mowing the yard twice a week. None of those examples is necessarily unhealthy, but if we find ourselves in the absence of our routines then the mind desperately seeks out a solution to substitute the craving. There are even healthy addictions like working out every day, never eating processed food, or getting eight hours of sleep every night. All addictions make us feel good. What's important is attempting to choose healthy habits and not letting them become addictions.

I have started doing yoga every day for the past week or so. My goal is to continue through a 30-day program that is free on Prime. I am also trying to meditate right after yoga too. These activities will become a part of my daily routine. When the day comes that I don't do yoga or I forget to meditate, I hope that there is a little trigger in my mind that lets me know. That way I know my brain knows my routines have changed into a healthier lifestyle.

My goal for the next year or so is to focus on the mind and body. I want to increase my endurance, strength, and flexibility through running, working out, mountain biking, and yoga. I want to develop a stable and caring mind and heart that are not easily thrown off-kilter. Meditating every day will help accomplish those goals.

Even by developing healthy habits, I am creating types of attachments. What I think is important is that I am aware of those attachments. If there is a cheat day where I do nothing healthy, I also need to be okay with that because life is about enjoying the moment. I want to work on being kinder to myself, even when I don't accomplish the goals of the day. As the theory of the self-propelled motor goes, I am participating in yoga and meditation to become healthier and by becoming healthier in body and mind I will not worry when those activities are not present. I can simply say, "It's okay. Enjoy today. And then enjoy tomorrow. Because every day is a gift."

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