Would You Change?

Ciao Amica Mia,

Last Tuesday morning I hopped in my car to head over and teach my 9:15 yoga class with many long-time students. Forgetting my Bluetooth was on, as well as the Pandora music station, I was startled to hear the blast of the disarming and unmistakable voice of Traci Chapman.
 
It was two days after learning the news of the helicopter crash killing nine innocent and beautiful souls. The shock of hearing about the sudden loss of a legendary figure like Kobe Bryant will cause many of us to reel in disbelief. It’s like something precious and rare is being sucked out of our world. Plus, the loss of his daughter and their dear friends felt surreal and almost too much for our already over-burdened hearts to bear.
 
As I tuned into Traci’s voice and really listened to the lyrics, I was tempted to turn the music completely off. Or pull over to the side of the road and sob. I had a moment of thinking, “oh f*#! I do not need to listen to this right now.”
 
But I did neither. Instead I held steady to the steering wheel, took a few deeps breaths, and opened up to her voice and the invitation woven throughout her words.
 
The thing is when we allow ourselves to feel into the grief, it’s as if we fall into the crucible of all of our previous losses. Every heart ache, every heart break arises from the depths of our being and seeps through the cracks in our hearts.
 
Generally speaking, we don’t like to talk about grief in our Western society. It’s not sexy or pretty. Not to mention it brings up a lot of emotion, especially regarding our own mortality. But the truth is, we have to discuss it. We need to face it, or the pain and sadness becomes another hidden shadow.
 
When we spiritually bypass feelings that we label as negative, they turn poisonousness in our systems. And while I admit it may feel damn uncomfortable it’s also damn necessary for our overall well-being.
 
So, I urge you to take a deep courageous breath with me, hold steady and allow yourself to look at that which you most want to turn away from. Invite in the teachings of this powerful song and discover the gift of insight.
 
The first two stanzas of Change, by Traci Chapman.
 

“If you knew that you would die today
If you saw the face of God and love
Would you change?
Would you change?
If you knew that love can break your heart
When you’re down so low you cannot fall
Would you change?
Would you change?
 
How bad, how good does it need to get?
How many losses how much regret?
What chain reaction
What cause and effect
Makes you turn around
Makes you try to explain
Makes you forgive and forget
Makes you change
Makes you change”

 Let’s face it, this was a tough week. And a grave reminder of how fragile life is. It brings me full circle to my heart’s passion and desire to not only teach you how to live your legacy every day, but also for me to live my legacy every single dang day.
 
I’d love to hear from you. What change might you make today? This month? This year?
 
With so much love and gratitude for you all.

Xoxo, Paulette