A couple of weeks ago the lovely people at Lululemon UK invited me to an early morning yoga class in a studio just minutes from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street, accompanied by a harpist. Yes, a harpist. It was as amazing as you would imagine.
With the music stripped back to just one instrument there were fewer distractions, helping us to be totally present in our practice. After class I felt utterly relaxed and the post-class-bliss lasted all day. Should I ever be in a position to afford it (unlikely, but you never know) I would very much like a harpist to accompany me every time I did yoga.
Anyway, back to the point of the post. The class (and the yummy breakfast that followed) were organised to kick off Lululemon’s Give Presence campaign, a reminder that as the year draws to close and our lives get ever more frantic (I’m currently running three to do lists, a work one, a life admin one and a Christmas one, which is split into various sections, so really it’s several lists, and I’m sure I’m not the only one in the RMS community) to give our presence, as opposed to just presents (although presents are lovely too, of course!).
After class we watched a short video with contributions from a raft of inspirational types such as author and motivational speaker Gabrielle Bernstein, author and meditation instructor Davidji and author and motivational speaker Danielle LaPorte. I know I can be guilty of dwelling on the past, wishing I could have done things differently, scrolling through social media feeds distracting myself from the present, or making future plans. The video is a powerful reminder to put down our phones, breathe and to really be in the present moment. You can watch it here. It’s only three minutes and 12 seconds long if you’re already thinking but I don’t have TIME to watch a video right now!
Towards the end of the video yoga instructor and blissologist (yes, a blissologist is a thing apparently!) Eoin Finn said something that really resonated with me. “Holding someone’s hand when they’re dying is probably the most present you will ever be in your whole life. Why wait for someone to be on their deathbed to really get to that level of intimacy? Let’s do it now.” Having been there when my mum took her last breath it made me wish I’d been more present when she was alive, for example really listening when she talked on the phone instead of (sometimes) doing other things at the same time. While I can’t change the past, it made me vow to try and be fully present from now on.
Do you find it even harder than ever to really be in the present moment around this time of year? What are your strategies for finding calm amongst all the madness? Do share in the comments section below.
Photographs above from the Lululemon and LululemonUK Instagram feeds, two of my favourite feeds to follow.
Miranda
You should definitely read ‘Happiness by design’ By Paul Dolan. I really think it would resonate. I have the hardback version. And I need to lend you My Cousin Rachel too.
Yes, would love to read both. Will remind you ahead of next time I see you!
Tomorrow?
I’m in!
This time of year is always manic, but whenever I see my family at Christmas, I always treasure those moments.
Earlier in the year, my grandmother turned 90. We were having some financial difficulties at the time and I was in two minds on whether to make the trip (she lives in Sweden). In the end, I whacked it on the credit card and I’m so glad I did – I hardly get to see her and it was lovely to spend time with her and the rest of my family that I don’t see often. Although she is still going strong, you never know what’s round the corner.
Another moment that I will always treasure is my honeymoon. It went so fast but I do remember on the last night, getting really upset because I didn’t want it to end!
One of my life rules these days is that it’s always worth spending money on travel and time with family and friends even if I have to cut back in other areas. The memories of the time you spent with your grandmother and wider family in Sweden this year will stay with you forever. You made the right choice for sure. I have to admit that I’ve been in tears at the end of a lovely holiday more than once Jo, you’re definitely not alone in getting upset at the end of a trip!