So beautifully expressed, Katie. Age will help you take life less seriously and become a rule breaker as I do now, but I used to feel as you do. Life is so short and must be enjoyed whenever you can, as long as you are always true to yourself. I know that Mary Lou and Paula are telling you this as well!
I didn't realize Muskegon was your hometown. I moved here last summer for a job and my fiance and I are now making a home here. So much to see and discover in West MI :)
Thank you, Katie, for this piece of writing. The line, "There’s nothing worse than a seeker who takes herself too seriously," certainly resonated with me, as well. For many reasons, I often feel like I'm "behind" in my spiritual journey and mistakenly compare myself to others. This creates a seriousness in me, and a sadness when I feel I don't measure up. Deep down, I know this is not true at all. My heart and spirit know that there is no timeline or finish line. I appreciate the invitation to lean into the joy and lightness of the path, as the Creator really wants us to enjoy the ride. Thank you. 🙏
Thanks Brooke for sharing. We all need these reminders, and we'll likely need them as long as we live! It's especially hard in a culture/society where it's all about measuring up, to try to relate to spirituality without that mindset. I hope you can find ways to hold it all more lightly. Mary Lou's book certainly helps me with it!
Just for the record, I think it's perfectly okay to not howl at the moon. I don't think howling at the moon is the standard I want to set for joy and freedom in my life. I had an opportunity to do this several years ago where I was teaching at a yoga resort, and I decided to skip it... I had an early class to teach in the morning, I wanted to teach well, and I slept in peace. So if you didn't want to howl at the moon, really... It's okay.
Totally, thanks for saying that Joy. It's a good point that we'll each set different bars for what it feels like to find joy and be free. After that evening, rather than me deciding to howl at every moon, I feel like it's more about a mindset--whatever I show up to, I want to be present to fully, rather than one foot in--one foot out.
So beautifully expressed, Katie. Age will help you take life less seriously and become a rule breaker as I do now, but I used to feel as you do. Life is so short and must be enjoyed whenever you can, as long as you are always true to yourself. I know that Mary Lou and Paula are telling you this as well!
Really empathize with the desire to lighten up — it’s so easy to get so serious! Thank you for the reminder
Thank you, Katie. Enjoyed your story. Enjoy being free.
"I could feel how small my fear made me" is, for me, one of those realizations that only happen in hindsight... thank you for this!
I didn't realize Muskegon was your hometown. I moved here last summer for a job and my fiance and I are now making a home here. So much to see and discover in West MI :)
Oh beautiful! I love Muskegon so much. It’s a great place to live. I hope you enjoy all west Michigan has to offer!!
This is really beautiful. Thank you!
Thank you Billy! I really appreciate it.
Thank you, Katie, for this piece of writing. The line, "There’s nothing worse than a seeker who takes herself too seriously," certainly resonated with me, as well. For many reasons, I often feel like I'm "behind" in my spiritual journey and mistakenly compare myself to others. This creates a seriousness in me, and a sadness when I feel I don't measure up. Deep down, I know this is not true at all. My heart and spirit know that there is no timeline or finish line. I appreciate the invitation to lean into the joy and lightness of the path, as the Creator really wants us to enjoy the ride. Thank you. 🙏
Thanks Brooke for sharing. We all need these reminders, and we'll likely need them as long as we live! It's especially hard in a culture/society where it's all about measuring up, to try to relate to spirituality without that mindset. I hope you can find ways to hold it all more lightly. Mary Lou's book certainly helps me with it!
I'll have to look it up! Thank you!
Just for the record, I think it's perfectly okay to not howl at the moon. I don't think howling at the moon is the standard I want to set for joy and freedom in my life. I had an opportunity to do this several years ago where I was teaching at a yoga resort, and I decided to skip it... I had an early class to teach in the morning, I wanted to teach well, and I slept in peace. So if you didn't want to howl at the moon, really... It's okay.
Totally, thanks for saying that Joy. It's a good point that we'll each set different bars for what it feels like to find joy and be free. After that evening, rather than me deciding to howl at every moon, I feel like it's more about a mindset--whatever I show up to, I want to be present to fully, rather than one foot in--one foot out.