Treat life like a path instead of a road.

I read something a few weeks ago that was a much needed reminder for me, so I’ll share it with you in case you need to hear it as well.

“A common mistake is treating life like a road when in reality it’s more like a path.”

The author goes on to explain that a road is linear, it resists the landscape, its goal is to get you to your destination as quickly and directly as possible.

A path is quite different. It works with its surroundings. You might have a general direction of where you are headed, but a path continues to reveal itself, unfolding as you travel.

Often people think that Yoga teaches us to be flexible physically. And while it certainly can improve our flexibility, I think that more importantly Yoga actually can help us become more flexible in other areas of our lives. To plan, but be flexible in our approach. To move in a general direction, but be open to detours and alternate routes.

And in a way this is the best preparation, a practice for life. Because while we might want life to be neat and tidy, it isn’t. The unexpected often happens. We have to shift, change, adjust, figure out what is within our control and let go of the rest.

The uncertain and unknown can be scary. Yoga reminds us that sometimes following along the path can create space for something new and unexpected and still beautiful.

What new possibilities can you create space for this season? Where in your life would it help to practise flexibility?