Today is the last day to register for my live, online, and recorded Email Marketing training happening Saturday, July 22nd from 8 am to 12 pm. It will be a worthwhile investment toward exploring how to share your magic—your stories—with the world. I’d love to have you join me.
In the meantime, check out this short and funny story.
Several years ago I was teaching a yoga class, we’d just finished savasana and as everyone was sitting there, the yoga glow radiating off of their faces, I ended yoga class by preaching to everyone, “May we all apply the peace, calm, and centeredness of our practice into our daily lives to make the world a better place because we practice yoga. Namaste.”
Little did I realize how much this little speech applied to ME …
… and how quickly I’d be tested to apply that invitation.
Seconds after leaving the studio, I was calmly walking across the street when I heard an engine rev in the distance. I looked toward oncoming traffic.
A car was bearing down on me.
Accelerating.
My calm walk turned into a nervous trot, then into a mad dash, and finally a full-on leap as I narrowly jumped clear of the speeding car, missing me by inches.
With a jolt of adrenaline pumping through my veins, a wave of rage overtook me and I bellowed my loudest “F*@# YOU!!!”, to the speeding car-missile, vaulting my arms in the air and brandishing my two middle fingers in final salutary sendoff.
Then, just as suddenly I quickly came to my senses. With both birds still perched high in the air, I sheepishly darted a quick glance to passersby, fearing how many of my yoga students had just witnessed my eruption of vulgarity—caught in the act of NOT making the world a better place because I practice yoga.
Oh, yeah … Namaste.
This story cracks me up because it reminds me not to take myself too seriously. It reminds me to have a little compassion for myself when I mess up because after all, I’m human too. Who cares if I’m the yoga teacher. If anything, I’m modeling what it means to practice being human and that I need practices like yoga and meditation just like everyone else.
And as a human being, I’m learning on the job.
Certainly, citing my own humanity doesn’t give me a pass to act poorly. On the contrary. I believe that humans are programmed to develop and evolve into better and better versions of themselves. It’s precisely because of experiences like almost getting flattened by a belligerent car and subsequently reacting poorly that teaches me that the next time something like that happens, perhaps I can take a few deep breaths first then choose how I could best respond.
Next time, I might do better.
I won’t be perfect, I can tell you that. But I will be continually trying.
And maybe next time, I can choose a different salutary sendoff …
… like namaste.
What are the stories that have informed your own life lessons?
Consider sharing them with me by sending me an email. Consider all the other people around the world who could benefit from reading your stories, receiving your lessons, and being exposed to your mad wisdom or regular message that the world needs to hear.