Life Is Long

I just got off the phone with my daughter. She’s a 19 year old freshman at Stanford University getting straight A’s, managing her own business, advocating for the rights of the underprivileged, and hell bent on saving the planet. Of course I’m proud of her and I’m worried too. She’s doing great, but showing a few signs of stress.

Of course she is just like you and me and doesn’t see the signs because right now they are small. She, possibly like you, but no longer like me, is surrounded by high achievers wearing their work and stress and busyness on their sleeves like warriors. The busier, the harder, and the more stressful obviously equals achievement.

Now this is my daughter and not a client who has paid me a hundred bucks to get my opinion, so I realize my opinion is valueless. Like the mom I am though, I freely give my opinion. She’s smarter than me and has always been able to out maneuver me. Her logic is flawless. Even her rational supports all the things I’ve told her since she was little. We have to save the planet (now). We were born to do something great (now). We have been born with so much and have to give back to those who have less (now). I find myself lost in my own directives.

Finally, it dawns on me that life is long.

You get 80 or so years to do maybe one to three amazing things in your life. If you only do one, that’s pretty good. You as an individual are not going to save the planet, cure the world of hate, or end world hunger. Collectively we can. You are not. You will do something great. Your task is to happily and without stress do the work in front of you at the moment knowing each job well done moves you to success and completion of your dharma (life’s purpose).

The great sages of yoga teach you were put on this earth for Leela. That means “to play.” You were born for joy and fun. Do the work in front of you. Let the rest go. Play.

See you in the Mason studio for some yoga on Monday at noon! Peace, Pamela