I do meditate, not always like a Zen monk with legs crossed in a temple in Tibet or in the mountains, but I certainly do meditate on the breath, and work on focusing the attention, the masters call this watching the thinker, the mind and the thoughts will always wonder, it is the meditator or the Yogi who has to bring their attention back to the breath, all life begins with the first breath and ends with the last breath!
We are taught that the relaxation is in the exhalation, one of the great Buddhist teachings was, imagine when you go to sleep that you will not wake up and if you do rejoice and be grateful for a new day, if you live like every day is your last, you will have consistently great days, you will have humility and have gratitude for all of your opportunities!
I never trained as a yoga instructor, but I did work in the fitness industry and I was a passionate group fitness instructor, at the time personal training was a competitive industry and the 15+ other instructors I worked with oversaturated the potential clients available, at that time I made the decision to switch back to performing live music as a vocal entertainer!
Music was always my first Love, I would always go back to it, and it doesn’t matter whether you are being paid to do it or not, if it is your passion it is where you find your joy, your expression, and your release, it often heals us when we reconnect with ourselves, music, art and self expression helps us do this. Although we cannot only do what we are passionate about and what we love, we have to work and earn a living, this is our human condition.
I especially like the idea of the Ikigai guy, which is the Japanese philosophy as a way of living. It essentially has four quadrants. 1) do what you love and are passionate about. 2) provide something that the world needs and share it.. 3) find a service that you can offer and be paid for. 4) explore something you’re really good at and do that as well.
It is a great gift to be able to spend time doing what you love and are passionate about, it is an even greater gift to be able to share it with others and the synthesis of the two is perhaps the greatest gift of all!
P.S. And a little Tai Chi if you are feeling inclined to get physical. Disclaimer, always consult a health professional before beginning any new exercise program. And always do a light warm up before you do more moderate to intensive exercise. If in doubt, avoid the risk and consult with a physician or health and fitness professional. Happy exercising Tribers 😊 A healthy body equals a healthy mind and healthy soul. Get inspired to stay active and live long and healthy, there are gymnasts in their 90s that still exercise and stay flexible, when someone in their 80s tells you they still feel like they’re in their twenties, that’s someone to model, replicate and listen to! ‘Success Leaves Clues’.
Getting clarity on your vision, goals and life design, this is what the Ikigai helps you to achieve, Share your Ikigai with the amazing tribers in the community [P.P.S - my Ikigai answers I wrote on my white board on the 1st picture]
Here’s the four quadrants of the Ikigai:
1.What do you love to do?
2.What does the world need from you?
3.What can you be paid for?
4.What are you good at?