“Perspective does not shape your life, it
is
your life.”
~Judith Hanson Lasater
These words jumped out at me while I was reading a Q&A piece in November’s
Yoga Journal
. An important part of our journey as students of yoga, we often work to understand, process, and respond to the world from newer and broader perspectives, whether we are facing a challenging pose, a difficult interaction, or a hectic holiday season. But I suppose it just hit me how powerful and full of potential perspective truly is. Perspective is everything.
We tend to get stuck in the same habits, the same ways of understanding our lives, and the same thought patterns. According to yoga philosophy, these are
samskaras
. As 2017 comes to a close, many of us will work to get out of these loops. We will welcome the new year with a set of intentions and a sense of excitement and hope of what is to come. A true commitment to broadening our perspective may just be the tool we need. Although there is a beauty in the simplicity of this idea, changing our perspective can be one of the most challenging things we do. So this is our work. In any way that this manifests for you and your practice, I wish you a new year full of new and powerful perspectives.
With gratitude for this practice that allows every moment and every breath to be a new beginning and with gratitude for you all, who help me continuously reshape my perspective, I commit to moving forward to 2018 with this new mantra – perspective
is
my life.
Honoring the light in each of you,
Alana
