This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Neighbor News

late⌚

a weekly mindful reflection

Time to break the fast, alarm clock and prayer beads on a white background.
Time to break the fast, alarm clock and prayer beads on a white background. (Getty Images)

Dear Reader,

On Saturday morning, I did something that I do not recall ever doing in my entire adult life - I overslept and almost missed the class I was supposed to teach. Class was scheduled to begin at 9:00am, and I woke up at 8:50am. As I raced across town, I realized I had forgotten my mat, the Bluetooth speaker and the technology I needed to record class. All I could do was laugh and make the best of a challenging moment.

What a start to the day! In hindsight, a few lessons in mindfulness emerged:

Find out what's happening in Homewood-Flossmoorfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

It is okay to embrace imperfection. This situation was a clear reminder that perfection is unattainable. Mistakes happen, and it is crucial to extend grace to ourselves and others when things go awry.

Life is unpredictable. Finding humor in unexpected moments can go a long way.

Find out what's happening in Homewood-Flossmoorfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Self-care is essential. Sometimes, we simply need more sleep. Don’t hesitate to schedule in those naps, especially on cloudy days!

Connection is key. Sharing my experience serves as a reminder that we all have off days. It’s what makes us human.

Gratitude matters. I am so thankful for our gracious community of yogis. Your understanding and support make a world of difference in my life, helping me feel safe enough to embrace my mistakes.

Here’s to a smooth(er) start to the week for all of us.

Shanti (Peace),
Liz

Inspire | “Your energy has far more power than you can even imagine. When we function from a place of positive energy, the world around us becomes more positive.” Gabby Bernstein

Eat | Roasted acorn squash is one of my favorite fall veggies to enjoy. This weekend, I prepared mine with some baked apples, dried cranberries, and goat cheese. Delicious!

Try This | Reduce stress (and improve your balance) by brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand while standing in tree pose.

What challenge have you faced recently? How did you bring mindfulness into handling this difficulty?

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?