I don’t know about you but I must thrive on goals. I don’t know if that is normal but most of my life it seems like I am setting goals- planning the execution (usually creatively) and then hopefully remembering to celebrate when I actually attain them.
Sometimes in the past I have built up to attainment and then when I reach it there is a let down….or I forgot to actually ‘champion myself in attaining whatever goal I set out to attain’.
Has that ever happened to you? Always striving to arrive and not really enjoying the process ?
In mid-August I decided to slow down and enjoy each and every day in a new and different way. Since yesterday is the past and tomorrow is the future, enjoy TODAY for it really is the “PRESENT”….and today is all we have.
Recently I began Bikram Yoga. When I joined it was with an intro of 30 days for $30….. meaning you can take a class each and every day for 30 days. BAM! I don’t know when I created the goal to do Bikram 30 days in a row, but it has become my goal.
Funny thing is a month ago I never would have expected to do yoga EVER….and now here I am. What happened?
Our bodies create opportunities to have things show up if only we listen. My right elbow was my guide here as it became painful to play tennis and lift weights so I went ‘inward’ and asked my body & soul what it needed and I heard LOUD AND CLEAR, Bikram Yoga. ???? Really???? (By the way, without a sore elbow I can almost guarantee I never would have choose yoga.)
I could have fought it, however at age 60 I am old and wise enough to act when I hear that ‘special whisper’. I admit that sometimes in my life I have ignored that inner voice….and it took a lot longer to get where I wanted to go with the detour. Not good or bad, just a longer journey.
Several people who know me well have asked what changed where now I not only wear yoga clothes as I always have, but actually I am now DOING Yoga? Why did I begin and why am I driven?
Each and every day I wake up and remind myself why I started. Like most 12-Step programs…. one day at a time.
So 20 days ago I look at myself in the mirror. I didn’t cry but I also wasn’t totally excited with the woman looking back at me in the mirror.
I have always been healthy, strong and lean but the lady in the mirror looking back at me looked different. Confidence was missing in her eyes! So I talked to her and heard some reasons why I ought to consider the shift and why Bikram Yoga would be good for ‘her’, aka ME. 
Although I have gracefully embraced my age, I have not embraced my body since menopause.
The most driving reason I am doing Bikram Yoga is I want to be healthy/flexible and have a healthy longevity. I have a family I love, that include grandchildren and I want to be vibrant and healthy so I can see them grow up and can be a part of their world- and their children’s world. I’m in a loving marriage and want to be healthy together til our last breath.
Yes, perhaps across the board I am healthier than most women my age, but it still doesn’t mean anything unless you are happy with how you LOOK and FEEL!
I see my parents and in-laws age and although they are vibrant in their own way in their mid to late 80s…. I personally want to be able to travel and explore and have the strength and health to do so well into my 90’s, if I choose.
Much of my life I have concentrated on my physical body and my physical health- perhaps spurred on by body building at age 30. (Once again, another goal…can I do it and win after giving birth to 2 children 4 and 5 years prior? I needed to prove to myself that I could! Much like with 30-Days of Bikram Yoga)
Ahhh, the ultimate shape and size….body fat, etc. OK, so I proved that I could reach a lean (unhealthy I may add) 8.5% body fat and win my category in a Body Building competition but that didn’t make me any happier. In fact there was such a let down after that experience that I still can’t shake to this day.
Fast forward 30 years and the health I am seeking today is more well-rounded. Not just the physical beauty aspect of what one sees in the mirror, but the soul-spirit connection. Although some people think going to a zen yoga class that is gentle with spiritual music may feed my soul better, right now the challenge (mentally and physically) of Bikram Yoga is where I am at and fuels the challenge!)
Ultimately I want to love, appreciate and enjoy who I am in the world. Don’t we all? Since making ‘MY SELF CARE’ a priority it has shifted into other areas of my life. Hallelujah!
Yes, without question part of the transformation is still the PHYSICAL BODY and one ‘must do’ is melting my men-o-pot (belly fat) so that I am a healthier and lean post menopausal woman. Belly fat is toxic, unattractive and honestly, very difficult to have when trying to do yoga poses. (no kidding!!!) Not to mention, clothes just don’t fit the same when your belly is large.
CAREER & LIFE
Working with TAVALA is very gratifying on many levels. I enjoy mentoring other people who want to improve their lives either with their health (which includes WEIGHT LOSS with Tavala TRIM, or being PAIN-FREE and have vibrant energy with the Tavala Quantum Relief Strips!) Learn more here: www.DaveandJoy.com
TAVALA for Wealth Building and Fueling Dreams!
I know that having additional income in all households offers additional options, no matter the current level of wealth. It’s about a shift in consciousness with abundant thinking….not just MONEY! When we have abundant thoughts we think beyond ourselves…which led Dave and I to discover an amazing organization that is doing great things throughout the world, for women. (And when women are empowered, face it, families and communities are empowered!)
We recently partnered with an organization called WEA, Women’s Earth Alliance 
http://womensearthalliance.org/ and are donating 5% of our customer sales to their organization each month. This includes any of the products off our website, www.DaveandJoy.com or even through our sampling site, www.TryOurSamples.com. It may not sound like a lot of money, but in time, we hope it will add up to being able to make a difference in the lives of many.
So there you go… today is Day 19 doing Bikram. I am actually looking forward to my ‘practice today’. Will it be perfect? YES and NO. Yes for ME, as I’ll do my best, and that is all they ask at Bikram. If you can do it – DO IT, and if not, at least do what you can… but do it ‘the right way’.
I doubt the majority of my poses today will actually look like those in a Bikram book- but this is OK. Today is another day, another opportunity for self-care and self-love. By filling MY CUP daily I am in a great position to help others in my life and beyond.
So what is YOUR goal? Your STORY? Mine is ever-changing and I like the changes. It’s all about today and eventually tomorrow, but I leave my story from yesterday at the door. Life Coaching taught me that!
If you are inspired to share your journey or how you may be able to relate, let me know. I’d love to hear. If you have ever set a goal similar that seemed insurmountable like 30-Days of Bikram Yoga is for me, please share.
If you are looking for a way to become the better version of you in the HERE & NOW, perhaps I can offer guidance. I am a Transformational Life Coach although I don’t ‘practice’ that, rather I incorporate it in my life and in my Tavala business.
Joy Edgerton/ Transformational Life Coach/Busines Coach
802-846-7530 