 "Trees grow up through their branches and down through their roots into the earth. They also grow wider with each passing year. As they do, they shed the bark that served to protect them but now is no longer big enough to contain them. In the same way, we create boundaries and develop defenses to protect ourselves and then, at a certain point, we outgrow them. If we don't allow ourselves to shed our protective layer, we can't expand to our full potential." ~ Madisyn Taylor
I've spent a lot of time this summer looking up through trees... in my yard, at outdoor yoga, in a hammock in the country. My iPhone is full pictures of trees and clouds. I've also spent a lot of time this summer having some pretty amazing heart to heart conversations with people. Neither of these things were possible for me a few years ago.
I WAS less willing to say "no" to things I didn't want to do.
Allowing myself to rest in a hammock while Jody worked in the field... big step.
I WAS more protective in sharing my self.
Opening up through more direct and truthful interactions with lots people.... bigger step.
I realized recently that through Yoga I have had the opportunity for very real, very raw, and very necessary conversations with the closest people in my life. And, because of that, I find myself now better able to have similar conversations with almost anyone. I have begun to outgrow many of the boundaries I had created for myself around my own self-consciousness.
Of course, I still (and probably always will... let's be honest) have moments where I am less than fully present and open (to myself and others). But, I have definitely shed a few layers of bark while gazing through the trees this summer ... personally.... and in my relationships. This is one of the best gifts I have received from my Yoga practice.
What do you see when you look through the trees!?
Namaste,
Kristi
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