Love is in the Air!
Hello dear one,
Well, we made it through the first 3 months of January... lol. Hopefully you've gotten off to a good start this year and are feeling as positive about the year ahead as I am? February is the month of love, and also the Chinese New Year (on the 17th) when we can finally release the energy of the wood snake which has been shedding his skin, 2025 being a year of transformation, an opportunity to shift the things that have not been serving us, for our highest good, not just for ourselves but collectively. I am certainly ready to welcome in the energy of the year of the fire horse! In its natural state, the horse doesn't force anything, it is grounded, calm, unrushed - responding to its environment with presence, not panic. Stay rooted in your body, listen deeply before acting, allow intuition to lead. Real power is regulated, receptive, attuned and has no need to prove or chase... Trust your inner guidance.
One of the biggest lessons I learned from last year is the value of Self-love and acceptance, which is pretty important before you can really accept and fully love another, as they are, without compromising, censoring or losing yourself along the way, whether that be in romantic relationship or with family or close friends.
"The most important relationship you will have is the one you build with yourself. Every other relationship flows from that." (Jillian Turecki)
This is not however an excuse to become Self-absorbed or excessively Self-focused, but rather an invitation to be clear, truthful, kind and loving to yourself so that you can understand your own humanness and therefore deepen your connection with others in a more compassionate way. And this is exactly what our Yoga practice is for, a way to understand ourselves, transform our limitations - through Self-knowledge. So let's look a little deeper into the world of love, the source of your true nature...
The English dictionary meaning for LOVE can be described as:
- a strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties.
- attraction based on sexual desire: affection and tenderness felt by lovers.
- warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion.
Now the Buddhist concept of LOVE:
- love is boundless and your love is not limited to those that are near and dear to you.
If you have enough love within your own heart, you can give unto the world some of that love. Don’t think of self-love as a selfish emotion, it is an essential component that will help you extend your compassion and empathy to others. It begins with you and then spills over into those around you and beyond. Another essential component that will help you cultivate a deeper sense of love is forgiveness. Knowing that we ourselves are not perfect and we make mistakes as we learn and grow from our experiences in life, means that the more we can soften and forgive others (and ourselves), then there is more opportunity for peace. Perhaps you have heard of or even been following the monks walking for peace across America? A simple teaching offered by the lead monk perfectly describes this component: "Forgiveness, is not forgetting harm or denying pain, but choosing not to carry hatred forward. It is releasing what poisons us so that healing can begin." (no argument, blame or agenda)
Monks Are Walking Across The US For Peace. I'm Here For It.
I am certainly no expert on love or relationships, but simply desire to share deeply, authentically and imperfectly with others from an open heart, as living any other way to me feels fake. What we cultivate in our relationships, trickles out into our communities, then society as a whole and we see this reflected in conflicts around the world. It is then of great value and importance that we as individuals continue to work on ourselves, share the positive effects and practices we incorporate into our lives for the benefit of others. I mean if you are practicing Yoga, meditation, doing "healing" work, burning sage and attending cacao ceremonies, hopefully you are becoming a kinder, nicer, more understanding human otherwise something is a little off!
Someone who IS a little more qualified in the area of love and relationships is Jillian Turecki. www.jillianturecki.com
Here are some of her top tips for successful relationships:
- Self-Reflection: Understand how you speak to yourself and set boundaries. Reflect on your behavior and how it affects your relationships.
- Healthy Communication: Practice active listening and ensure both partners feel safe expressing their needs. Regularly engage in deep conversations to address underlying issues.
- Conflict Resolution: Recognize that conflict is a part of growth. Work on your emotional intelligence and self-awareness to navigate challenges effectively.
- Choose the Right Partner: Focus on who you choose and who you show up as in your relationship. This is crucial for building a fulfilling partnership.
- Emotional Resilience: Build a strong relationship by investing in personal growth and creating a nurturing environment that fosters creativity and collaboration.
These insights can help you cultivate and sustain meaningful love in your relationships.
With all that is coming to light in the media about the elite, politicians, rich and famous celebs, Instagram gurus etc, it is important to stay centered, try not to get sucked into the drama, pick sides (Us vs Them) and continue to remain hopeful that positive change is on the horizon as light has been shone into the darkest corners of our world, to be revealed. Perhaps you've realised putting people on pedestals does not serve the greater good, and that includes yoga teachers, spiritual leaders, politicians and superstars... I'm quite happy to sit back and watch many walls come crumbling down, it's time for the people to rise!
Stay open, be friendly, communicate clearly, listen deeply and pause before responding in difficult situations, these simple things can have a big impact whether engaging with people we know, or strangers.
And remember...Amor vincit omnia - Love conquers all
Stay heart centered and have a happy Valentine's Day. Spend it with those you love most, including your fur babies!
Kirsten-Mia xxx
