Rather than ‘making resolutions’ this year, I ‘set intentions’ with the main ones being :

• meditate every day
• practice yoga five days a week
• build my private yoga class
• work smarter, not harder
• listen to my body and rest more
• be kinder to myself

Note the word ‘intention’ – which means that I will do my very best to practice my intentions to the best of my ability.

I won’t however, beat myself up if I don’t get around to meditating or yoga. I certainly won’t feel like a failure if I’m not ‘hustling’ and building my private yoga class to epic proportions.

Sometimes, Life just happens and things don’t go the way we planned, or hoped. And you know what, that’s perfectly okay. We’re human, and at times we’ll put family first, get sick, be low in energy, or simply just run out of time some days. Or maybe, just maybe, (gasp!) you’re listening to your body, and your body is telling you to rest.

Humour me while I tell you about my Feburary. Dad had heart surgery, which resulted in complications – two surgeries, two litres of blood, four hospitals in two geographical towns over 300 kilometres apart, an ambulance and air transfer – all in two weeks, with the last week of the fortnight being the fifth anniversary of my brother’s passing.

It was tough for me and I was time poor from travelling to Melbourne to be with the family while dad had surgery and losing time at work. I was tired and emotionally fragile. I squeezed in a couple of 15 minute yoga practices and five minute meditations here and there. Hell, some days I was just going through the motions, especially on the day of my brother’s anniversary.

The way I got through that fortnight was by being honest, not being afraid to show my vulnerability and share my story, and with great support from my partner and managers at work.

Dad’s home now and slowly recuperating, I’m back on top of things at work, and able to re-focus on my intentions.

In the meantime, my life didn’t fall apart, I didn’t get depressed, feel like a failure or lose track of what’s important to me. My intentions patiently waited in the sidelines while I dealt with Life, amd when the family crisis was over, I gently picked them up and started where I’d finished two weeks before.

Since then I’ve ensured I’m resting in my downtime, and recharging so I can be present for my family and at work.

I’m feeling really good about letting go of the notion of glorifying being busy. I’m at peace with accepting where I’m at right now, and all at the same time not letting go of my intentions and my dreams.