And She Went On

I snapped this picture on my way in to yoga the other day. I had stopped by the old studio I used to go to before I was in teacher training (which has now moved to a new location, just to be confusing) to tell my old teacher that I was almost done with training. I think I was looking for a little validation, a little bit of congratulations (hello, ego) and that wasn't what I got.

I did get a hug from my teacher, and a mild "that's good," but my news wasn't met with the same enthusiasm I had come to expect from him. Perhaps he was going through something of his own that particular day. Or perhaps, since I hadn't been to his class for a while, I had become sort of "off his radar," for lack of a better term. Perhaps he really, truly didn't care that I had come full circle, completed a goal that he was a big part of inspiring me to pursue. Perhaps that wasn't the point. 

In thinking later about the disappointment I felt when my news did not inspire a giant, bright smile on my teacher's face (and how the great big bear hug I had come to know him for was lacking in energy) I came to realize that I did not do this for him. As much as it is nice to receive congratulatory remarks from someone whom we respect, I started this journey for myself, and for the inspiration I wish to engender in others whom I will come into contact with through my teaching. I did this in order to be able to help others improve their own lives, their own health, their own paths to "enlightenment" (whatever that means for them.) 

I did this because it was what I was called to do. And every day in class, during every moment of my practice, it is again confirmed for me that I did this for the right reasons, that I have followed my heart's journey, my true soul's path. 

I think it is so important to remember, when we look for validation from others, that we can more likely find that validation within ourselves, by going inside and asking ourselves the right set of questions. Why am I following this particular path I am on? Is it the right one for me? Do I feel good about what I am doing?

If the answers to those questions confirm that you are doing your "Right Thing"-- I coined that phrase from a friend of mine, it means that you are following the path that your soul wants you to be on-- then by all means, continue on that path. If the answers lead you to feel that you are not pursuing your Right Thing, then maybe it's time to make some changes. 

Looking again at that photo above, I see that I snapped a very important picture for me to see at that moment, even though at the moment when I snapped it, I could not see the photo that resulted in my phone's tiny screen, in the bright sunlight just before dusk. Looking at the photo now, I see that I snapped a photo of my soul's god (Spirit, Universe, Source, or however you like to call it.) And that Source is always looking out for me, for you, if you just tap in and listen.