Live each day as if it's your last? YUCK!

'Live each day as if it's your last'. Like me, you have probably heard this a thousand times since you were in middle school. Stamped all over the place as if it's some golden nugget that will change your life. Many of us thrive for this kind of talk. 'Everything happens for a reason' (don't even get me started on this one- for a later post perhaps), or 'Dance like nobody's watching'(I actually like this one). The scary thing is, living each day as if it's your last can be quite detrimental. It's also often used as an excuse to be quite foolish. But we love these kinds of quotes and we will continue to use them as fundamental life advice-  or if like me, you actually had one stamped on your own flesh with a very tiny needle that feels like a demonic termite biting you over and over again. But once it's done.... Ahhhh, as William Wallace's father once said, 'Your heart is free. Have the courage to follow it'. Until the day I die, I will be reminded to follow my free heart, unless of course tattoo removal technology is suddenly affordable and actually works. They were probably right, I will one day outgrow my love for this cartoon girl on my arm. Oh well, courage I will continue to have! Anyway, 'Live each day as if it's your last'! What does this really mean anyway? Don't give a shit about goals because tomorrow may never come? Feed the sugar beast inside of you because God forbid, tomorrow could be it, and you would wish that you just ate the whole chocolate cake! Or maybe it means to quit your job, sell your car and venture off to months of traveling without a plan. (Did that! 'I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done.' -www.brainyquote.com (For the record I don't regret this move because it was a game changer!)). Here's my problem with all this. How can you ACTUALLY live each day as if it's your last and live a productive and meaningful life. Well, as spontaneous as I am, I'm protesting the use of this phrase for the sake of humanity.

I teach 60 minute yoga classes. Whether you are a yogi or not, you probably know what Shavasana is, right? Also known as 'corpse' or 'resting' pose. It's the juicy part of class when you just lay there, close your eyes and absorb the good stuff. Sometimes it's hard to save enough time for a long enough shavasana. Let's be honest, most of us are in dire need of authentic rest. In a 60 min class, my students are lucky to get 1 minute of this final pose but I always remind that this one minute of surrender will serve us beyond those 6o seconds. Side note: I'm willing to bet, while lacking the science to prove, that 1 minute of meditation can undo 1 days worth of chaotic stress. My point is, even the little moments and little choices have the power to serve a greater purpose and collectively ensure a happy ending. 

Let me go on...

It is my impression from (some, not all) of my much more experienced elders- that the things that seem to serve us in the end- are the commitments and follow-throughs that add up to something great. A few admiring examples; 50 years of faithful partnership, 65 years of uncompromising loyalty to family, loosing 100 lbs and meeting your grandchildren, or maybe a lifetime of yoga that no-doubtedly saved your own life time and time again. Each day we get out of bed is an opportunity to make choices for a greater purpose which ultimately leads to fulfillment in the end. Where I see people get stuck is when they find themselves inside a life that they are nor inspired or committed to. Sadly these rather common setbacks include; partnering with someone that does not elevate or empower you to be your best self. Punching the clock in a job you hate. Compromising values for cultural ideals and lies. In these cases- yes! Make changes. Follow your heart!  Go back to the drawing board and create a life that asks for your highest potential every day. A life that makes those choices of whether to cheat, lie or compromise values suddenly very easy to make. You are driven by the desire of success when you are living a life you love. Temptations of any kind are easily defeated (perhaps not always without a second glance). 

Anyone that knows me well, knows that I love to enjoy life! I love being 'naughty' and eating a cupcake accompanied by bubbles on any given Tuesday. I love skipping a workout to watch the wind blow through the trees and recall the long summer days of childhood. I also love couch cuddles with my boyfriend and dog while engaging in our Netflix favorites. What makes these indulgences so enjoyable is because it feels like a way to enjoy the bigger things that I am committed to. A few being; my partner in life, self-love and lifestyle balance. However, when I was single and committed to healing after a divorce, the choice to cut out TV was an easy 'no'. The choice to get my butt off the couch was (maybe not as easy) already made because I knew I wanted to come out stronger and healthier than before. It's contextual. It's YOURS to discern. Are the choices you are making today driven by a greater happiness or are they just an escape from reality because you don't yet know what your greater happiness looks like? To be clear, it's okay to not know what your greater happiness is yet. But I hope you are working on figuring that out before the time is up.  

Maybe you have seen the article titled 'Top Five Regrets of the Dying'. One of the five being, 'I wish I would have allowed myself to be happier'. I like this better than  'Live each day as if it's your last'. It somehow clarifies a distinct difference. Don't blow in the wind and follow your fleeting desires that are mostly, entirely emotionally driven. Build a life that inspires you and THEN allow yourself to be happy inside of it. 

Signed, 
Advocate for happiness. 

In the moment with Hendrix on the floor

I love partner work! The depth of awareness is heightened with the collaboration of two beating hearts syncing up to create an experience. Not only for Valentine's Day, but really any day, try out these moves with your loved one or favorite buddy. The first half of the video is a few core moves and the second half takes you though some partner stretches. Enjoy!

Cupid's Core and Sweetheart Stretch