SPIRAL

SPIRAL

“I always liked the analogy of life being a spiral rather than a circle. Yes, we repeat similar experiences, but time and experience allows us to see these experiences with deeper insight. This is another way of saying we will be getting back to basics.” The quotation marks are an indication that these words are not original to me. They were penned by someone that I spend an hour with approximately forty Fridays a year, my yoga teacher-guide-mentor - friend, Chris.

The words were an impetus for me to think of January as back to basics month. They also caused me to think of December as the month of interruptions or distractions, be it ever so enjoyable. In essence, one has ten months to practice living out the deeper insights gleamed from our experiences.

Last Monday, I mentioned the intersection of current and next. One of the beautiful parts of experiences – good or bad – is that we get to carry the knowledge to the next. The insight of what worked or didn’t work helped us to discern how to sharpen and refine our basics.

Shakti Gawain, writer, and pioneer in the field of personal development. Said, “When we create something, we always create it first in thought form.”

Getting back to basics in 2025, personally, doesn’t look exactly like January 2024. My body is more seasoned with 2024 experiences to inform 2025. To realize my potential of 2025 means consciously and creatively pursuing it from where I am now. My vision and version of myself that was created ten years ago or even last year may not work for what I want or need now.

A spiral (noun) is defined as the progressive rise or fall produced by the continuous increase or decrease of a specified feature. Our basics are honed by what we learned from our experiences.

I have been tutored by Chris for more than ten years. The basics of yoga have been consistent. His teaching method hasn’t change dramatically – yet each year the nuances of how he approaches the basics changes based upon what his personal practice and that of his teachers have taught him.

My learning is enhanced based on continuity and retention of what was previously taught and what is being taught now. I am not the student nor is Chris the teacher of ten years ago. The teacher created first in his mind and prepared the words and actions to translate his thoughts to me, the student.

“I believe I can actively manage my health,” is one of my daily affirmations. Proper exercise, sleep, diet, and stress management are the basics for achieving that goal. To continue to spiral upward, each must be tweaked periodically to meet my current need.

Matt. 6:33

PONDER THIS THOUGHT --- Basics don’t change. Our understanding and execution of them should.