In these darkened days,
I think of the potato
that, left in the pantry,
will grow long white arms
to reach for the light.
There is, of course,
a beauty in reaching.
But today I think of Augusta
who taught me
the beauty of softening—
how the same reaching effect
can be achieved
by focusing on the part
that isn’t reaching,
letting it soften.
Soften, she said.
Soften. And it was as if
I were new in my body.
The effect was the same,
the method the opposite.
I love how I didn’t know
there was something
so beautiful yet to learn
about letting go. I love
these lessons in softening—
how, on this morning I learn again
to relax, to unstrive, to unreach,
to lean into ease, and like a camellia blossom,
in the dark of winter to open,
to find such sweet release.
20 billion atoms from Shakespeare
Thank you for this sweet reminder
How i love this wisdom from our dear Augusta!!
May we soften more often … XO
A gorgeous rhyming mantra!!!
🙂
“…the same reaching effect
can be achieved
by focusing on the part
that isn’t reaching,
letting it soften.” Ahhh, these words! In yoga, as in life – this is so true! We are stronger when we can soften into the poses/situations of life!
It was an impossibly rich experience sharing a yoga practice with you! Not to mention the amazing and heartfelt retreat we got to teach together!! How lucky are we, RWT???
You are a gift!
Love and Namaste, Augusta
How lucky are we!!!???? How lucky are we. Oh friend, as in yoga, so in life.
Augusta, you are a gift.
Potatoes have preached to me too, their pale ever-optimistic arms showing me what it means to believe in light. A few years ago I encountered Cynthia Bourgeault’s book “The Wisdom Way of Knowing” and the passage that knocked me to my knees said that all spiritual paths recognize two approaches to difficulty. We either brace or yield. To brace is to prevent wisdom and growth. To yield is the Way.
there it is … to yield is the way … Augusta, you see that? You are one wise woman. Thanks, Laura, for this …