This is from a reader, Army veteran, and my former coworker (now friend), Brandon Little, inspired by this article on the 7 types of rest we all need. *Photo is of Brandon, Jodi, and his kiddos.*
My wife Jodi M. Nash is a passionate yoga instructor. 10 years ago at a party, several people who had taken her class asked me how often I get to take her class.
My response was I didn’t have time, and the reaction I received was how much I definitely needed a class, they started to describe how great her class was, how great yoga was, and how great meditation was. I got defensive. I just simply “didn’t have the time” and I thought “They don’t get it.”
Skip forward a few weeks.
I was in my wife’s yoga class, and it was tough and I was giving it my all. Then it came meditation time (also something I had yet to appreciate) and what she said to the entire class struck my very core.
Jodi said (while I was breathing heavily and regaining life from the vinyasa):
“Take this time for yourself, push away the stressors you have, the thoughts about anything outside of this moment, acknowledge those thoughts, and dismiss them, this time is for you, you deserve this stay here in this moment.”
It was honestly the first time in my life anyone had ever told me to relax in a way that I understood the purpose of relaxing.
I began crying something fierce I was embarrassed but I also couldn’t quite stop the awakening moment that was happening.
When I reflected on that moment I realized that while I was doing a masterful job of reacting to situations, and had amazing situational awareness, I had not been truly in control of my life for a long time.
I now “get it!”
I’ve since changed that behavior, and place a higher value on time to recover and recoup. I am always on the lookout for someone else who needs to hear those words.
Thank you Brandon for sharing this story with me, and with all of us. If you’re looking for permission to relax, maybe this is the permission you need. I know it can be hard for us “tough guys” and “tough gals” as we are always Go Go Go! Slowing down and relaxing can be just what the doctor ordered for you to get the breakthrough you need.