I recently watched the movie about the life of Johnny Cash, who is truly an icon and legend considering he changed the world of music forever. In Walk the line he is desperately trying to land his first record deal. So he meets with his would-be producer with his band and they start to do a gospel song and for a brief minute, he seems impressed. But then he stops them, telling Johnny that hes heard that exact same song done the exact same way a hundred times before, adding that gospel music not profitable. So he asks to hear another song.
He then goes on to ask Johnny if he was hit by a truck and laying in the ditch dying, what would he be thinking of in his last moments, what song would he TRULY want to sing?
So of course, Johnny picks another song, lands the record deal and history is made.....This got me thinking though about some serious questions myself, about life and whats worth living for, and what i will look back upon at my lifes end. For one thing i hope i will look back in joy and peace, knowing that i lived the best life that i could've lived, not living a lie, or in fear.
I hope i will have poured out my potential into others, blessing them with all i can give. In my mind, potential withheld is potential wasted. I cant take my posessions with when i die, nor do i want my potential buried with me. Potential is merely a key for unlocking ourselves, meaning that we all hold talents and abilities deep within ourselves that need to be awakened, to be brought forth into the light. It is like the dam that harnesses the power of the river, the waters of the heart and soul.
As in yoga, we allow chi to flow through us and it enlivens the body and raises joy within the soul, like the same air we all breathe, so does this energy flow between us all, its like a refreshing river we all drink from in nourishing grace and humility. But were not just there to do yoga, improving ourselves and then leaving behind the transforming experience once we go back into the world.
Hopefully what happens on that mat goes with us, we become people that have used the key of yoga to unlock ourselves, healing in the process and being refined of impurities. So that with time and patience we learn to offer to others the fruits of our practice, using potential as a pathway to do so. For if we are healed of emotional hurts and phsyical pain, we are then positioned to more effectively help those closest to us...and complete strangers.
I just remember that i started yoga as a way as self discovery and therapeutic healing, but its become so much more. Its become a way to learn more compassion and concern for others and many other things that are in short supply in this chaotic world.
Whether its a healing hand, a kind gesture, an email of praise and encouragement. We ALL have things to offer, somebody needs you in their life, they've been put in your path for a reason. What can you offer today?
