I have been away on a long-awaited summer vacation, where I spent the last few days in Singapore. One evening, I found myself sitting on a bench outside, taking a break after a long afternoon walk. As I gazed at the setting sun, it dawned on me that it was the last sunset for me in SIngapore, marking the end of my vacation.
They say that time flies when you’re having fun. Sometimes, however, I wonder if we lose track of time because we’re so focused on our goals, that we forget to live in the present. Before we know it, we find ourselves where we want to be, but we may lose many precious moments in between. While the idea of living in the present is something that I have been aware of for a long time, it is not aways easy to apply in reality. Yoga has helped me to stay present by teaching me to appreciate every step and every moment. Since I started my practice at Strala, I learned to accept that every step I take is no less important than the next one – whether it’s an actual step of walking to the front of my mat, or a metaphorical one. Each step is an important experience, a learning process, and therefore there is no need to rush to the next one. As I take a moment to explore each step, it slowly taught me to accept myself in whatever stage of development I am in, and to be patient.
Having said that – there is nothing wrong with thinking about the future, or reminiscing about the past – as long as they don’t lead to unnecessary anxieties that take us away from the present. Our life is too short to live in the future or the past, so why don’t we choose to live happily in the present?
Monika found her passion for yoga at Strala, a place she considers as yoga home immediately after her first class. When not practicing at Strala, she invests herself in discovering simple and easy ways to live a healthier lifestyle. To combine her interests in writing and healthy living, Monika contributes regularly to the Strala blog, through which she hopes to share her experience and help others in their journey to wellness.
Twitter: @224monika
