Last week I was sitting at a coffee shop with my boyfriend and a friend of ours. Let’s call this friend Justin. Well, Justin was explaining a theory to me, complete with a doodle diagram of a triangle (which I’ve tried to recreate here).

Basically the theory went like this: In Eastern culture – specifically India – people get married and they grow closer over time. In Western culture – the US, for example – relationships start of with fireworks and then people tend to grow further apart.

Now this is a bit of a generalization, as there are a lot of really successful relationships anywhere in the world. However, Justin was finding himself headed toward the wide end of the triangle with his significant other.

On the other hand, after so many of the ‘growing apart’ type relationships, I’m extremely grateful to be in one that keeps getting better (though not without a lot of personal evolution).

Of course, some truth can be seen in this theory: India has the lowest divorce rate (1.1%), and North America is pretty up there (US is 45.8% and Canada is 37%). There are a lot of factors that influence this, but the numbers do say something, don’t they?

I was thinking back to this doodle and conversation, and my brain made a connection with this phenomenon and the consumption driven American culture.

It seems we live in a throw away society in many different ways. If it doesn’t work, rather than using the effort to repair it, we often just toss it out and get a new one. Yet the problem with this approach to relationships is that part of the ‘not working’ issue is our own, and it comes with us when we leave.

Don’t get me wrong, I think most of the relationships that go under happen because people were ready to move on. And, being divorced myself, I’m a firm believer in following your heart’s truth and wisdom. Sometimes relationships are only meant to last so long, and when they no longer serve the good of both parties, a change should be made.

But I think it’s often a difficult thing for people to not only hear but actually do something about; most of the time the ‘issues’ that make relationships grow apart aren’t the fault of the other person, but our own stuff.

Falling Into Judgment

It seemed so easy in the beginning, didn’t it?

The thrill of falling for someone, discovering who they are and getting to share yourself with them takes over. You get filled with excitement, your hormones have a party, you smile all the time and people don’t even have to ask to know what’s up. They know. You’re in love.

And then, after a while, it seems like you’ve discovered all the really great parts of the other person, and you start realizing there’s some things maybe you’re not so crazy about.

Here’s where yoga comes in.

Relationships are like mirrors. We rejoice in seeing the things we identify with and like, and then are resistant to the things we don’t like.

But, as I’m sure you’ve heard before, those things that others do that we don’t like are generally things we don’t like in ourselves, or maybe they just trigger reactions we wish we didn’t have. And this often leads to judgment.

In my experience, one of the most damaging things for relationships is being critical of the other person. This is an issue I have experience with. I used to get caught up in all the things that the person I was with did that didn’t measure up to my expectations.

There’s a real danger in starting to see all the things you don’t like about your partner, because you start to not see the things you really love about them. That and you also start to see the things you don’t like about yourself.

My problem was I was so hard on myself that I extended that to my partners. I got it in my head that they weren’t good enough. But that wasn’t true – each person is always perfect in their human imperfections, and it wasn’t my partners who needed to change, but my perspective.

The Yoga of Relationships: Seeing the Beauty

Relationships are the ultimate practice of yoga. They push all our buttons so we can choose to evolve, and so we can see ourselves from many different angles. They bring us through the full spectrum of feelings, and invite us to live life fully and with gratitude.

Yoga teaches us to look for the beauty in life. This is vital to the health of our relationships, especially as they get more challenging.

It starts with being aware of our reactions. As I recognized my habitual ‘being hard on everyone’ attitude, I realized I was stuck in a judgmental outlook. This is no fun for anyone involved.

When you find yourself feeling less than joyous with your significant other, pause and notice what is happening with you. Yes, what they’re doing is a definite influence, but are you also stuck in your own pattern?

Part of the practice of yoga is creating patterns that enrich life. When you find a habit you don’t want any more, the best way to change it is to create a different pattern.

So, if you find yourself being critical, or even if you find yourself being criticized, you can create a new pattern. Instead of getting caught up in judgment, look for the beauty.

What do you like about the other person? What can you find about them, right in that moment, that is good? You know they’re a good person at heart, otherwise you wouldn’t be with them in the first place, right?

When you train yourself to look for the good in other people, it’s a lot less likely that you’ll stumble into the jaws of judgment, or turn little things into big issues.

If you find yourself being critical, soften and learn to look for what works for you rather than what doesn’t.

And if you’re on the receiving end of criticism, see if there’s a way you can highlight the good about the other person or the situation. Lead by example, and hopefully they’ll get the hint.

Maybe not everyone is destined to be together forever. I honestly don’t think that’s the point of relationships. But what I do think is important is to enjoy the journey, however long it happens to last.

Beauty and goodness are expressions of love. May they lead you to delight.

Fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, sprouts, seeds, nuts and whole grains are the foods that offer the most nutrients and nourishment. Unfortunately, the majority of the diet most North Americans eat is not focused around these foods.

When the body isn’t getting enough of what it needs, it keeps saying “I’m hungry – nourish me.”

If you keep giving your body foods that lack the fullness of nutrition it’s looking for, it can lead to major health issues. This is a significant contributing factor to the fact that the rates of obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and other degenerative diseases and illnesses have reached unprecedented levels.

When you reduce or completely remove processed, over cooked, and nutritionally deprived foods from your diet, replacing them with fruits, veggies, greens, sprouts, and whole grains in a balanced way, your body’s health responds with enthusiasm.

Now, I’m not suggesting that the only factor that counts is nutrition. Enjoyment of food is super important as well. Yet there can be a balance, and often meals can include both rich nutrition and pure delight!

Personally, and I’m not alone in this, I believe drinking green smoothies in the morning is one of the BEST ways to add a super powered amount of nutrition into your diet immediately. Don’t be afraid of them because they’re green. The fruit makes them TASTE delicious. This is my most important meal of the day, and I so enjoy it!

You can get meal ideas in this article of tasty healthy recipes for you to try.

You can also check out the nutrition section of this site, which has more creative and excellent ways to eat healthy without a lot of fuss.

Yoga teaches us to be mindful. To pay attention and choose what is most life affirming. I invite you to extend this practice not only to your food, but also to the other substances you take in (music, TV, reading, etc.) Notice how the outside world influences your mood and feelings, and then practice using your inner strength to stay centered and find balance in every situation.

• Do you have something to add? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.

Just as yoga teaches us to be spacious and connected, you can use this practice to stop worrying about things and reduce stress and anxiety. To literally lighten up!

How does this work?

Well, when you get contracted, such as when you’re afraid or judgmental, there’s a sense  of disconnect from the bigger energy of freedom. Spirit never stops supporting you, yet sometimes we just forget to take notice and feel that support.

Generally feelings of contraction come from fretting over things that are not your responsibility or under your control. Like how your loved one acts, or something you did in the past. Focusing on these things brings you out of the Here and Now, and out of your sense of self.

Personally, I’ve worked on this issue a lot in life, and one of the most helpful things for me is to remember that when it comes down to it, the only person I am truly responsible for is myself. To practice that, I have to let everyone else have their own experience without trying to project my ideas on them.

This isn’t always an easy practice, but by letting go of what you think others should be doing and just living your own life in the best way for you, it actually takes a whole lot of pressure away.

Becoming spacious and reconnected melts the contraction and therefore the fear. Plug in to Source, and worries dissolve into joy.

Mini-Meditation:

Sit beautifully and turn to your breath.

Invite your awareness to become spacious.

Feel your breath in the back of your lungs,

Feel beyond your skin.

Lovingly tell your mind and heart to let down their walls.

Say to yourself, “I am open to receive the gifts of the moment”

Allow this spacious receptivity to be your whole world

As you feel your breath move in and out.

This centered and connected state is your true self.

Here, you have a ‘big picture’ perspective from which to view the world.

When you are centered and feel free to be who you are,

It gives you a chance to ALLOW others to be who they are.

And then you can simply enjoy each moment as it comes.

Hakuna Matata!

(Hakuna matata is a Swahili phrase that is literally translated as “There are no worries”.)

It’s my second week of New Orleans Boot Camp, and I still love it. It’s so hard, yet I feel myself get noticeably stronger every day.

I end up a bit tired, sure, and sometimes my yoga practice requires more effort because I’ve already worked so hard first thing in the morning, but how amazing it is to feel this physically satisfied!

Yesterday we worked legs and core. A lot. Jonas had us doing squats and lunges and crunches and every variation of exercises you can think of. One of the things I like the most about this program is that I never know what’s coming – it changes every day.

Well, I guess there is one thing that seems to repeat, which is holding plank on the forearms at the very end of the class, when I’m good and tired. Each time we did this in the last week I’d drop down to my knees for a second to recompose myself, then come back up.

Yesterday I took a 2 second rest in plank and Jonas busted me. I totally loved how he did it; he tapped my heel lightly, and then very quietly, so that I knew he was talking right to me, Jonas said “Up.” So simple, yet very effective. He’s really good at what he does.

Today Jonas had us running an obstacle course. After we worked legs, arms/chest, and core at our mats, he set us up running laps, then going to various stations. At each station we did things like 20 jumping jacks, or jump squats, or lunges from one set of cones to another, or high knees through ladders on the ground. With running in between each exercise.

I have affectionately named today’s workout “The Suffering”, yet it was such an excellent day of boot camp. As tired as I was, I found I always had more to give, and pushed myself to stay with the two girls at the front, even as Jonas had us pick up the pace at the end.

I’m sore today, for the first time. My legs are really talking to me, but it’s so great to feel this strong. My capacity is expanding and it’s so fulfilling.

And get this – today, for the first time, I stayed up in plank the whole time! And if I can do that, then surely I must be able to hold warrior or handstand, or any other yoga pose for that matter, just a little bit longer.

Believe it or not, I’m looking forward to waking up tomorrow and sweating as the sun rises.

If you want to get in on my Yoga version of a boot camp when I start it in Kamloops, BC this Spring, check out: Kamloops Yoga Fitness Boot Camp.

From Anusara Yoga’s Founder, John Friend:

Dear Anusara Community,

Enthusiastic greetings from my 2010 Melt Your Heart, Blow Your Mind world tour. We now enter the most technologically advanced, crowded, critical and tumultuous decade in history. It is a time to create the right mindset of positive, Shri-radiant, and creative Shakti in order to dance with the global stresses and difficulties ahead in this New Decade. We need to shift our yoga practice into an innovative paradigm. At the beginning of this radically transformative time I want to announce several steps that I am implementing to take Anusara yoga to a higher level of artistic expression.

Shiva-Shakti Tantra

Since its inception in 1997, Anusara yoga has been based on a life-affirming Tantric philosophy. In order to distinguish our school of Tantra among classical Tantra and neo-Tantra schools, we are now designating our philosophy as Shiva-Shakti Tantra. It is the integration of all the Tantric schools that see everything as a vibrating dance of Divine polarities full of freedom and the highest creative delight. We honor and glorify Supreme Consciousness (Shiva) and Its unlimited Creative Power (Shakti), spirit and matter, male and female one is not higher than the other and one cannot exist without the other. It is Shiva-Shakti Tantra.

We recently created a new visual piece that depicts some of the current energy of Anusara yoga. Our friend Waylon Lewis from Elephant Journal in Boulder posted our artistic video last week. It is wonderful to collaborate with like-minded enterprises like Elephant Journalthat are highly respected in the Green movement, in the world of Buddhism, and in consciousness expansion.

Please check out our video and leave a comment to let us know what you think:

http://www.elephantjournal.com/2010/02/shiva-shakti-tantra-video-w-john-friend-of-anusara-yoga/

Standardized Curriculum

The Curriculum Committee and I worked during 2009 to standardize our new 3-part Immersion for Anusara yoga throughout the world and in various languages. With this in-depth, refined organization, we have elevated our curriculum to the highest professional level of yoga training worldwide. This new 3-part standardized Immersion is now going into effect, and I just concluded the first part in San Francisco a couple of weeks ago. I will be doingPart 2 in South Carolina in a few weeks and Part 3 in Park City in August.

2010 Melt Your Heart, Blow Your Mind World Tour

This tour is expanding the radiant embrace of Anusara yoga around the world, specifically in Asia and Europe. I am going to 11 countries and holding over 40 events. One of the highlights will be in Estes Park, where together with Yoga Journal, we are taking the Anusara Yoga Grand Gathering to a new level after our extraordinary sell out in 2008. This year’s theme is the celebration of art. The Gathering will include 12 of our top certified teachers, more panel discussions with the scholars, music with Shantala, a play lounge with hoop and dance lessons, slack-lines, and visits from our Acro Yogi friends all for delight and artistry. At the Wanderlust Festival this summer, the Merry Band is such an integral part of the festival that we will have an entire area in Squaw Valley dedicated to our community: Village Anusara. This village will be a play-scape with a large adult-sized playground, art installations, and bohemian artists crafts. It will include an exquisite tent with a large practice area and some of our top teachers.

Dancing with the Divine:
The Universal Principles of Anusara Yoga by John Friend

I am thrilled to announce that I am currently engaged with writing my book Dancing with the Divine, The Universal Principles of Anusara Yoga. It is the full articulation of all of our Principles of philosophy and asana alignment. Anusara Press is publishing the first edition in multiple languages – Spanish, Italian, French, German, Mandarin and Japanese to start. The release of my book in 2011 will coincide with a bright expansion of our vision all over the globe, including the Center Stage concept.

Center Stage Concept

We are launching Anusara yoga to a much broader, worldwide audience through the establishment of Center Stage in Southern California. With the creation of a physical center, we will set up video recording to stream live on the web and for media downloads including trainings, workshops, classes, artistic performances, and regular personal communication directly from me. This will help both to weave together our community and to expand our vision all over the world. It has been a long-time dream of mine to have a physical center space for Anusara yoga to offer our teachings to all levels, and that dream will come to fruition this year.

I look forward to dancing through this important threshold with you.

Blessings of Light,

(Posted here with permission from Anusara Inc.)

The Saints won the Super Bowl…
Mardi Gras has come and gone…
We’ve entered the Chinese Year of the Tiger…

NOW it’s time to get off your asana!

March is the month of activity, refinement, and St. Patrick’s Day… a celebration of luck, shamrocks, and beer in various shades of green. With the slow shift towards sunny and warmer spring weather, I’ve noticed the recent reemergence of clovers along my dog walking routes. The shamrock symbolizes the luck of the Irish.

Ever since I was a kid, I have had the uncanny ability to find 4-leaf to 8-leaf clovers, which is considered serendipitous. One would think that as a member of the McCarthy clan, I have been given a double dose of good fortune in my clover hunting. But is it really luck? If you think about it, one finds a 4-leaf clover by purely seeing the shift in pattern amongst typical 3-lobed leaf plants.

Therefore, what is considered to be fortuitous is actually an ability to spot the breaks in the woven fabric of a quilted clover field. Perhaps there’s luck involved. But I see it as an empowering skill to see changes in patterns and shifts in perspective, so that the full spectrum of life can become favorable. This is the alchemizing foundation of the tantric philosophy of Anusara Yoga.

The word “tantra” in Sanskrit means to loom or to weave. Any fracture in the pattern of the weave of your experience is seen as an entry point deeper into yourself, rather than a problem to be fixed. (Note from Katrina – I LOVE this part!)

So when your patterns no longer work and your personal systems become outmoded, shift your perspective and create a new pattern as you reknit yourself from the inside out. Like the color of the triadic shamrock, green is the color of the heart chakra. The inner weaving begins in your emerald heart, designing new patterns from the threads of your body, mind, and spirit.

In Anusara Yoga, there are three clover leaves that meet in a unified center, known as: Attitude, Alignment, and Action.

“Attitude” determines how and where do you place your heart, so that you never lose the bigger perspective on life. “Alignment” refers to how you entwine your mind and your experiential knowledge to skillfully and gracefully move through your day. And with the heart and head in sync, “Action” expresses your intentions with ultimate economy of effort. When you stop short of realizing your aspiration, then it becomes just a great idea. Therefore, these three aspects of yoga provide the perfect trifecta for the successful soul.

During this Lenten season, I invite you to spotlight your heart’s deepest desires. Look for what you want to manifest in your life, rather than what you don’t want. Shift your vision to see the fortuity in every situation, whether welcomed or not. When you focus your energy on and align with your life-affirming intention, then all breakdowns become breakthroughs. It’s the luck of the Irish in action!

• If you like Cat’s article, or have thoughts to add, please post a comment below!

I went from smoking cigarettes and eating at McDonalds (I know, I can hardly believe it myself – it seems like another lifetime), to doing yoga and eating vegan. Talk about an about face!

What made me change so much? I suppose part of it was the natural progression of maturity, but I attribute the most significant changes to the fact that I WANTED to become a better person. And yoga showed me the way to a more complete vision of who I wanted to be, and by living this vision, I have a lot more happiness and fun in my life.

The transformation of who I am is no more or less impressive than your own process of becoming who you are.

We are constantly developing ourselves, rediscovering ourselves, and recreating ourselves. Think of how much you’ve gone through to be where you are today.

And as much as inner awakening and intellect are important, as crucial as your intention is, the body is the physical manifestation of spirit in this game of life.

The body is truly a temple, and you shape it through your thoughts, words, and actions. You create who you are with your intention. And, of course, the way you take care of your body affects how you feel and think and act.

Your body is Divine. What do you do to glorify this gift of being embodied?

When you open to the idea that your entire being – that which you can see and feel, and that which escapes the outer senses – is a temple for spirit, it gives you a perspective from which to assess how you treat yourself. It helps you see where you might want to concentrate in order to find more balance.

And, as you nourish, breathe, think and move this beautiful temple of flesh into a more capable, content, vibrant being, you expand your capacity to enjoy the sacred play of life!

• Looking for creative food ideas? Check out these easy and delicious healthy recipes.
• If you live in Kamloops, BC, get excited – there’s a new way to get in shape coming this May: Yoga Fitness Boot Camp, Kamloops.

It was harder today. We did longer holds in squats, lots of running, crunches, knee lifts, jumping jacks, pushups and a nice extended hold in plank, among other things. There were several times where I had to draw from reserves rooted deep in my will power.

Plus it was wicked cold and windy. I did most of the workout with my toque on (that’s Canadian for winter hat, if y’all didn’t know.)

Yet, as the sky grew lighter the birds started serenading us. The oak trees looked down, maybe laughing a little in their leaves.

Jonas, our fearless leader a.k.a. commander in chief, would every so often remind us to center. Which goes pretty deep for me, like right into the core of my being and way down into the heart of the earth. I’m not sure that’s exactly what he’s getting at, but it sure works in my world. And each time I noticed the bigger picture in this way, it helped me connect with the strength I needed to keep going.

Really, it was great!

See, when we run into challenges (or choose to take on challenges), we can get so much from them. You can grow stronger through discipline and wisdom, and channel your effort into the delight of awakening.

Of course I’m going to turn this boot camp experience into a yoga philosophy lesson. What else did you expect out of me?

Moving Past Intimidation Into Illumination

As I lay in bed two nights ago – the night before my first morning session of boot camp, I faced an interesting dilemma. I’d gotten myself all stressed out somehow, and had succumb to the feeling of intimidation that often shows up uninvited before entering into the unknown.

Honestly, I’m not sure what I was afraid of – it was just an irrational feeling of unease.

There I was, under the covers, knowing I had to get up at 4:30 in the morning, and I was so worked up there was no way I was going to sleep. I had two choices: I could stew in the silliness of self-created stress, or I could go through the feeling and transform it into something else.

Being the good yoga student, I chose the latter.

Intimidation is a contracted state, and one that focuses on an idea of self that is separate. This idea of separation is cause for all kinds of suffering, but it’s remedied simply enough by remembering that you are connected to something bigger.

Knowing this, I willed myself to relax and turned to my breath. I called my attention to the Spirit within; that which I know as true in my own heart. I asked Spirit for help to turn the contracted feeling of intimidation into a feeling of peace and centeredness.

Breath by breath, the tension faded and was replaced by illumination. Each of us have a light so bright within, that it can transform any energy. By focusing my intention on a pure feeling of connection with that light, I moved through a state of discomfort into a state of peace.

This is something I’ve been practicing for some time, but it’s accessible to anyone. Often we make it harder than it is, yet sometimes it can be very easy too. Simply turn your attention to what you want, and then open up to receive it.

So here I am, Day 2, feeling a bit tired, a little sore, and about to head to my second yoga practice of the day. But I’m at peace because I know that which fuels me is an energy so limitless, so lovingly powerful, that I can do anything to which I set my will.

Want to find out more? Read about my plans to morph this experience into aYoga Fitness Boot Camp in Kamloops.

The program is called an “Adventure” New Orleans Boot Camp for Women, and I’m thinking that part of the adventure is the whole waking up at 4 something in the morning and actually getting your self there. I’m not alone, though. There’s at least another 50 women here with me.

But it’s fun! Sure, it’s really hard, but I like it!

My boyfriend’s friend, Jonas, runs the boot camp. It’s the most successful boot camp around, and it’s giving me ideas to run something similar in Kamloops – heavily influenced by yoga of course.

Jonas keeps telling us we’re just getting warmed up. Even when the class is more than half way over. It makes me smile.

He’s making us keep moving, giving orders, counting reps. His commanding voice projects through the small area of the park we’re in so that everyone can hear him. He’s making me work really hard. And then he stops by the woman next to me to check on her and his voice is so encouraging and caring. I grin wider.

I like pushing my boundaries. It’s fun to have someone tell me what to do, and make me work harder than I would if I were doing it on my own.

It’s the same thing with yoga; when I’m with one of my teachers I realize that my capacity expands and my practice deepens. I try new things and realize my edge is further than I thought.

The most difficult part, for me, is the long holds. I suspect they’ll become easier as we go along, but then again, Jonas will probably make it harder as we gain endurance. It’ll be good for me, the next time I’m with John Friend and he holds us in Warrior pose for what seems like forever, I’ll be that much more capable.

What’s really great is how GOOD this makes me feel. I’m awake, I’m alive, I’m breathing and moving and sweating, grinning all the while.

I have to admit, last night I didn’t think this was such a good idea. There’s some silly subconscious trigger that thinks “Uh oh, we’re about to do something new and scary.” And I think the intimidation factor went up when I set my alarm for 4:15am.

But it’s awesome to feel this much energy; to be awake at this powerful time of day. My dear friend Robert is a surfer in California and he wakes up before dawn every day so he can catch some waves before work. He inspires me with his dedication.

It’s funny, just before we finished the class this morning Jonas said “get ready for your mile test,” and I psyched myself up to run a mile. Then we’re stretching and all of a sudden he says “okay, that’s it – you’re done.”

Can you believe I was actually a little disappointed that we weren’t running a mile then and there? What do you mean, it’s over?

I like the idea of a fitness boot camp. I like that I’m making a commitment to myself to do something that will make me a stronger person in many ways. Hey, getting up before the sun every morning builds character!

And with all these ideas going through my head of blending challenging yoga with kick-ass fitness exercises, get ready, Kamloops. We’re gonna have some fun!

Find out more about the upcoming Kamloops Yoga Fitness Boot Camp for Women, and enter to win a free week of boot camp.

But it isn’t just the elite few who can harness their Will to become something great. All people can do this, including YOU. On some level, you make a decision to give your best to the situation at hand. You will it to happen.

Watching the Olympics, you see athletes who inspire you and invite you into their lives. For example, you can’t help but feel a connection to Alexandre Bilodeau, the first Canadian to win Gold on home turf, because he won that gold medal for his brother Frederic who has cerebral palsy.

And then there’s Lindsay Vonn from the USA who won a downhill skiing gold despite an injury, doing part of the course on one ski to favor her sore leg!

And Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo who won the gold in figure skating, after putting their marriage on hold, living in separate dorm rooms to train for their dream.

Yet even the people who finish last in their races and events have worked SO hard an followed their dreams to the Olympics. They remind us that each person’s dream and effort is important.

Empowering Yourself – Harnessing The Will

“Where there’s a will there’s a way.” So the saying goes.

Your Will – that which drives you – is POWERFUL! It can bend the world to your needs and guide you into alignment with that which allows you to live your dreams or do what needs to be done.

So many stories are told of people overcoming great challenges and achieving unbelievable feats – the Olympians are excellent examples of this.

But what does it mean for you?

Well, if you truly want something enough, you can apply your Will – your Power – to make it happen.

The trick is to make it so meaningful that you rise to overcome any obstacle in your way.

This is what shapes people to become greater then they realized was possible. This is how people you admire came to be admired.

Of course, your reasons for wanting something count as well. If you’re reaching for your highest dream because it’s something that brings you joy and therefore uplifts you and the world around you, the universe will conspire to help you. If your motivation is of lesser ethics, say greed for example, there may be some repercussions on that.

You can reach for the stars of wealth and fame, but WHY do you want what you want? That’s what you need to know. Is it to have the freedom to laugh and help people and influence the world to become a better place? Or is it simply for material gain. (Having expensive toys isn’t a bad thing, it’s just important to get clear on your deepest motivation so you know why you’re doing something. This feeds the Will.)

Having inspiration is exceedingly helpful. Maybe an athlete inspires you, or you have a teacher who keeps you motivated. Perhaps a favorite movie gets you going – yes, fiction can be the spark of something great.

Maybe your motivation is the feelings of true freedom and contribution that you feel when you’re in your element, doing what you love to do.

Whatever it is that motivates you, keep your sights on it. Remind yourself daily what your intention is, and apply your Will to everything that you do.

Go for your own personal Gold – that which calls to your soul – and by the grace of goodness that pulses in life, and through your own powerful Will, you will attain your heart’s highest wish and deepest desire.