Everyday Mindfulness

Nature itself puts on a new face as the leaves change. This often inspires us to clean our houses, lose weight, or reconsider our careers.  However, sometimes we’ll find ourselves wondering why our goals have not been met.  Fall can be a great time to examine what the obstacles are in your path towards a desired change.

Take one goal that you’ve had over the past year that you’ve not yet met.  Perhaps it was to get to the gym three times a week. What excuses have you given that you could have pushed through?  Were you too tired/too cold/too full?

Imagine your goal as a tree. Imagine your excuses as leaves. 

Take a moment to review how you may stand in your way (for example, instead of being full you could eat a small snack before the gym and your meal afterwards).  Then allow the transformation of autumn to inspire your own metamorphosis. 

Imagine the leaves of justification blowing off the tree with nature’s force. 

Allow them to change colour and to leave your solid pillar more barren.  With this image in your mind’s eye, reflect on your potential when you are not rationalizing.

When you open your eyes, bring this meditation to life.  Perhaps write down your common excuses and put them in a noticeable place.  Write a rebuttal to each excuse so that if you make each again, you have your higher voice to speak with. 

Remind yourself from time to time of your goals. Just as nature makes a fresh start, so too can you. 

Imagine the tree whenever you need a reminder of your power and capability to achieve what you want.

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Courtney Sunday has two cats and a boyfriend who are very patient with her health and wellness obsessions. She teaches yoga, Pilates and indoor cycling and gives Thai massages through her Toronto business Om at Home Yoga. When she is tuckered out, she takes up the sport of sleeping.