new year, purple bears, your word

Happy New Year Casa Family!!!  We made it to 2021! This past year was like no other. We experienced it all...this year long dumpster fire burning with suffering, healing, uncertainty, love, fear, and joy. We were forced to get still, to see what was working for us and to let go of what was definitely not.
Inevitably, this time of year brings with it the dreaded New Year’s Resolutions.  These resolutions incite a panic in us or (maybe a funk?) Whatever the mood it seems equal parts antipathy and aversion. Uggggh. 

Just the word “resolution” fires up the fear of failure. Why set them if we are just going to lose momentum a month later? Why only look at the things we think are wrong with us? As you know, that’s not our thing.  At The Yoga Casa we believe each individual is awesome and has more “right” with them than “wrong.”  
(There’s a trick we use in meditation; to help people see that you have to give the mind something to do, something to focus on.  We say, “Don’t think about the purple bear.”  Of course, the first thing you do is think of the purple bear.  Then you can’t stop thinking of it.  It gets seared into your brain!  Instead of focusing on our negatives, maybe we should focus on something else?)         
A few years ago I started a new practice of highlighting one word as my main focus for the coming year. I started with STRENGTH. Then moved on to ACCEPTANCE. This past year it was ABUNDANCE. Each year I wrote this word in big shiny letters and placed it where I could see it every day.  
Like the coals of a recent fire, I began to look for places in my day where my word could spark meaning. Instead of trying to “fix” myself I was seeing the parts of myself that already had my word. I was beginning to see my word everywhere around me. And I began to make choices that helped my word to grow even more. 
Similar to a purple bear, your brain has a way of noticing what it missed before once it has a focus.  (When you look for your word in the world, you will find your word.)  You can light the spark of anything you choose simply by branding the idea in your mind.  Simply by focusing your intention on it.  Now the hard part.  What’s your word? 
In 2021, we at The Yoga Casa wish you much joy, much love and much your word.  We can’t wait to continue seeing your faces and spending time with each of you.  We have no idea what this next year will bring, but we hope to continue to kindle the flames of self-love in each of you. YOU.ARE.WORTH.IT.