I admit to having felt stressed recently. A two-week bout of a cold. Chugging away at desk work. A new business in the wings. I promise you I’ve been at my yoga practice (almost) every day, but sometimes it’s not quite enough to thwart the doldrums.
What’s a person to do?
Well, here’s several ideas that are working for me:
• Read inspiring books. If we only read the newspapers and listen to the evening news, we might end up feeling jaundiced about what we see is the sorry state of the world. An altogether uplifting tonic to despair is a daily reading of wisdom literature. Have you ever read Autobiography of a Yogi by Parmahans Yogananda? or Health, Healing & Beyond by TKV Desikachar? or Bringing Yoga to Life by Donna Farhi? They are all life-changing books, or at the very least, despondency dissipators. Check my “Bookshelf” page for other titles.
• Spend time with friends or mentors. Especially those who totally accept you, even when your spirit isn’t shining. Especially those kindred souls who make you feel better, are good listeners, who are fun and help you lighten up. No doubt you’ll be able to return the light to them one day.
• Give. I know this sounds counter-intuitive, but sometimes being able to contribute to another shakes you out of a gloomy mood. I don’t mean donating to the Red Cross. I mean to say, energetically make your encounters with others – the newsagent, the waiter, your relationship partner – personal, respectful and caring. It’s the same energy exchange that occurs when we join our hands in a prayerful gesture in yoga class and say, “Namaste”. This way of being makes us feel better about ourselves and spreads goodwill.
Speaking of inspiring people:

”Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light.”
Albert Schweitzer