All across the country “help wanted” signs can be seen in the windows of businesses as you pass them by. There is a pilot shortage, material distribution is taking two or three times as long, car rentals don’t have enough cars, police departments, retailers and restaurants are all under staffed. We have just come out of 15 months of our country pulling back due to covid and summer has brought a quickening to get back to business. As much as we feel the rush and want to live our lives more fully in community there is an adjustment period. This new reality hits as the summer temperatures begin to climb and asks us to hurry up and wait, also known as patience.

Patience is not one of my strengths. In fact I consider it one of my greatest weaknesses (I’m pretty sure you’d see my family nodding their heads in agreement with this). I don’t like traffic, frustration takes hold in my shoulders while harsh words fly from my lips. Finding the shortest line while out shopping has become a sport for me. I’m an introvert and empath moving as quickly as possible in the world so I can make it back to the safety of home, away from what feels like chaos.

Impatience affects the nervous system; it raises cortisol levels, shortens the breath and anxiety increases. I know this to be true as impatience is my default setting. Waiting is uncomfortable. Waiting means I will have less cave time (time spent alone at home). Waiting feels vulnerable because what if what I’m waiting for isn’t worth the wait? Waiting is wondering if the path I chose is the right one. Waiting is the throbbing pain in my head of the unknown. And the thoughts snowball from here…

Patience on the other hand lowers cortisol, deepens breath and anxiety dissolves. Patience is smiling and letting someone move ahead of you in line or in traffic. Patience is a long walk with no goal or agenda. Patience is reading a good book while waiting to see the Doctor. Patience is trusting that you have plenty of time to complete the task at hand. Patience is love, understanding and kindness rolled into one. Patience is what is required while we create our new reality after the pandemic.

As a young mother I practiced yoga to develop patience. Yoga taught me to focus on my breath, not my mind. Yoga taught me that my body softens over time, not in one cranked up, forced movement. Yoga taught me that in order to become flexible I needed to be strong. Yoga taught me love, kindness and understanding come from within. And all of this is easier said than done when we are on our mats; when the light’s are low, the room is quiet, the teacher lovingly instructs us through the poses and we are listening to the words of the Beatles sing, All you need is love.

But what happens when we are out in the world; the lights are blaring, kids are screaming, horns are honking, our partner is yelling at us to not be late for dinner, and insert here any genre of music or song you find irritating. Practicing our yoga just became a lot harder. This is where I practice breathing. I slow it down and breathe deeply. I send the much needed signal to my nervous system to rest and digest. I can’t control what is happening around me.

One of my favorite saying is;

“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf”.

And Pema Chodron describes this in her own words;

“You are the sky. Everything else - it’s just the weather”.

Choose to be the sky. Watch the clouds float by. I have recorded a meditation for you on this exact thing, listen here. How can we be impatient as we watch the clouds float by? I personally think it’s impossible as nature teaches us that all things take time to grow, bloom and begin again.

Here’s what I’m listening to on and off my mat this month:

Flow

Yin

With gratitude

Love,

Rebecca J

Join me in class

Mondays:

10:15 - 11:15am, Yin Yoga at Zone Fitness (3300 E 1st Ave, Denver)

Thursdays:

7:30 - 8:30am, Vinyasa Yoga at Washington Park Boathouse (Denver)

11:00am - 12pm, Chair Yoga at Koko Fitclub ( 6231 E 14th Ave, Denver)

Fridays:

10:15 - 11:15am, Yin Yoga at Zone Fitness (3300 E 1st Ave, Denver)