As my yoga instructor guided us through our final relaxation exercise, she wrapped up the session with the following surprising challenge, “Try this. For the next 24 hours see if you can only think and speak positive.” Funny. I have done yoga for about 2 years, and I can’t say I remember that kind of homework before.
My brain froze for a moment and focused on the discipline it would take should I be willing to embrace and attempt that very task. “Gosh,” I thought, “Is that even possible? I mean, I am so saracastic and a natural whiner. Is that even in my DNA?” But I thought it would be a super exercise. Oh, and biblically based I might add.
To make point, one of my favorite verses has always been Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” It’s something I have strived for since I was a teen-ager.
Then I found my mind racing to this one: Luke 6:45 “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.
But most of all, I kept coming back to this one: Prov. 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
When she brought us back to the “Ok…it’s time to go folks”, I rolled up my mat and made my way slowly back into my normal routine. My first stop was to head out to pick up a prescription. When I got to the counter I was informed that they had put it back in stock. Apparently, I had not come for it within the allotted time frame and so it was returned. To top that off, the prescription, I learned, had since expired. I was duly informed that I would not be receiving any of my meds anytime soon. Oy vey.
I am pleased to report I kept my cool. I mean hey, it was my fault. I ordered the stuff then forgot to go and get it. Not their error. Lesson learned.
Now I can sleep 8 of those 24 hours of happy thoughts and words, and hopefully by tomorrow evening, I just might make the goal. I am up for the challenge. We shall see.
Join me if you dare.
S.