Tuesday 6 January 2015

In pursuit of enlightenment...



There seems to be a lot of pressure on the first post of the year, be it real or imaginary, it is there in the back of my mind, in the words of every blogger righting about their resolutions, hopes and changes that they are bringing to their blogs. You see New Year's resolutions is not something that I make, never have and I don't see a reason to start now. It is not that I am not resolute to make my life better, or am resistant to change, not at all. Every year I make a wish as the clock strikes twelve, drinking my glass of champagne as per family tradition. To me each New year is always full of mystery, possibility and is a time for hopes and dreams. New Year's resolutions on the other hand feel like military objectives, that somehow are supposed to bring about a happier healthier you.

But I guess like everyone else around this time of year, I feel the need to start a fresh, to bring back the focus to the things that are truly important to me. While my focus on nutrition and yoga is nothing new, I have been looking through my collection of books for inspiration and to refresh my memory. I practise with a wonderful instructor yet when I saw Yoga for Real Life in a book shop it just drew my attention. This book is about Kundalini yoga with a selection of exercises that vary in there intensity. However this is not really a simple how to exercise book, it is a window into a certain lifestyle, with sections on creativity and approaching stressful situations, and even juice and smoothie recipes. I don't think this is a book for everyone but I really enjoy it, I may not follow the advice to the letter but I love re-discovering all the wisdom and cherry picking things that I can incorporate in my own everyday life.

It is almost a habit now that when I pick up a book I also have a cup of tea waiting on the side. When pondering your future through someone else's writing, any regular brew just seems inappropriate, mundane in the view of the questions presented. A delicate tisane that creates inner harmony and balance, while nourishing your body from within is more befitting of the occasion. De Mamiel Beauty tisane is one such delicate blend, always makes me feel at peace and comfortable, quits my thoughts so I know that any decision that I am making is not just spur of the moment, it is well considered and has real substance.

Every new year brings a myriad of possibilities, but it also another year of experience behind one's shoulders, a year left behind that brought you closer to your goals, or maybe not. We all probably had to ponder a question of who do you want to be when you grow up? Well I have to say I still don't know an answer to that. You see I may be grown up in years but I rarely feel like a grown up. My focus can be scattered and I often have too many conflicting ideas. But the worst thing of all is the fear of going after something that I truly want. You see if you don't try you can't succeed, but you also can't fail. Self doubt is hard to beat by yourself, add to this monthly bills, security of a job that was only meant to be temporary and there you are plodding along, living a perfectly good life but completely loosing the sight of what it was you wanted to achieve. Holiday Cactus Flower Elixir is a rather unique potion that helps you let go of the daily grind just long enough to be able to ask those bigger questions. What is that legacy that you want to leave behind? The sweet berry nectar taste makes this elixir a pleasure to use, and I actually look forward to the next five drops under the tongue. I start feeling different after about a week or so, like I have a new focus and a certain calm that comes from being certain that yes you are on the right path, maybe not out of the woods but you are no longer lost, and the woods are not a scary place but full of wonder.

Aromatherapy has become a huge part of my life in the last few years and I love discovering new blends, they help my mind focus, feel more at ease in times of stress and make me feel more prepared to ask difficult questions of myself (you see calling out others out on what they do wrong is not that hard, but admitting to my own fears and procrastinations is rather unpleasant). Aster + Bay sacred incense oil is perfect for increasing meditative state and relieving anxiety. The scent is clean, earthy and a little bit herbal. A perfect companion to a restorative yoga practise, or any time when a little peace and quiet is in order. Badger cheerful mind balm is my most trusted daily companion. It gives me strength to carry on during the days when all I want to do is quit, the sweet orange and peppermint brighten my thoughts and put me in a better frame of mind.

Enlightenment is a tricky thing, you can not truly find it within oneself, but without knowing oneself it can not be truly found. Sometimes I think it is like a unicorn, a mythical creature, I may never find it, maybe it doesn't really exist, and in the end, does it really matter since it is all about the journey?

6 comments:

  1. Great post and so many lovely products - I'll be on the lookout for the Badger Cheerful mind balm now :) x

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    1. Thank you so much! The first time i tried it was because I won a twitter competition, couldn't be without it now!

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  2. I'm loving these 'In pursuit...' posts! Didn't expect the Cheerful Mind balm to be so helpful, I need to KIV that.

    With every new year and being in the age 30 group now, I can't help but wonder more and more about life. Moving to the US was another milestone for me after Japan, and I'm always asking myself, 'What do I really want to do?' I feel the same about being grown-up but not grown-up... Adulthood is hard!

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    1. Yay! I have a couple more of them planned ;) Yes I remeber wanting to grow up so badly beacause adults have all the answers, I had no idea :)

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  3. New Year, and the reflections of life - An important thing to do and something that scares me to no end, even when it's June! :) I have been really curious about the Aster & Bay Perfume Oil and have been eyeing it for a while - should probably purchase it after I use up some of my current stock :) Huge fan of Badger Balm too - I've used Sleep, and After Sun Remedy so far and love them - Very aromatic and work so well.

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    1. lol well my birthday is in June so those reflections tend to scare me much more :)

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