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Creating a Relationship with Life


Life is not an abstract concept or a mystical force. It’s the reality we live and breathe every day. It’s practical and tangible, full of moments that shape us. But our relationship with life often feels like a tug-of-war: we love it when things go our way, and we resent it when they don’t. This love-hate dynamic stems from our conditioned mind, which labels events as “good” or “bad,” often clouding our ability to see life for what it truly is.
To build a healthier, more fulfilling relationship with life, we need a shift in perspective. By viewing life as a parent, a teacher, and a dance partner, we can embrace its complexity and beauty with trust and openness.
Life as a Parent
Imagine a child who wants to eat ice cream all day, every day. As a parent, you know this isn’t good for them. You say no, explaining your reasons, even as they cry or throw a tantrum. You do this out of love, understanding what’s best for them in the long run.
Similarly, life often takes us down roads we don’t understand or want to walk. When things don’t go our way, we act like that child—frustrated and resistant. But what if life, like a loving parent, is guiding us away from what might harm us? What if it’s leading us toward growth, even when the process feels uncomfortable? Embracing this perspective requires humility and trust, but it can transform our struggles into moments of deeper connection with life itself.

Life as a Teacher
Some of our most profound lessons come from adversity. Studies have shown that people who experience trauma often emerge stronger and more resilient, finding meaning in their pain. They look back on difficult times with gratitude, recognizing how those experiences shaped who they are today.
This doesn’t mean suffering is easy or desirable, but it suggests that there is value in it if we’re open to learning. Challenges teach us patience, empathy, and perseverance. They reveal our strength and help us grow. By seeing life as a teacher, we can approach hardships with curiosity rather than resistance, asking, “What can I learn from this?”

Fall in Love with Life Again
Remember the times when life felt exhilarating—when you were so immersed in its wonders that you didn’t want to sleep. Perhaps it was when you were a child, exploring the world with unfiltered curiosity, or as a teenager, discovering new music, books, or experiences that ignited your passion.
Rekindling that love for life requires reconnecting with those moments. Listen to the music you adored when you were younger. Reread the books that shaped your worldview. Try new foods, take spontaneous trips, or step outside your comfort zone. By engaging with life’s endless possibilities, you can rediscover its magic.
Dance with Life
Building a relationship with life is like learning a dance. At first, you might stumble, trying to lead or control every step. But true fulfilment comes when you surrender, letting life guide you in a passionate tango. Listen closely to its rhythm and trust its movements. Even when the tempo changes, stay open and responsive.
Absorb life with every cell of your body. Breathe in life for what it is. Come closer and listen to its whisper. Because only this way you will fall in love with life again and find your fulfilment.

Stop waiting …

Very often in my life when I found myself in a difficult situation I waited for something to happen, someone to save me from it, instead of facing it. Life has a way of pulling our attention into the future, enticing us with the allure of “someday.” We often tell ourselves that things will change, that happiness will come, that life will truly begin—on Monday, next month, or at the start of a new year. We wait for the perfect conditions, for someone to save us, for the right circumstances to align. But what if that “someday” never comes?

Yoga teaches us that life is not a distant horizon but the ground beneath our feet, the breath we take, the moment we live right now. Living in the present moment is not just a practice; it is a powerful realisation that waiting holds us back from experiencing the fullness of life.

Stop Waiting for the Right Time

“I’ll start on Monday.” “Next year will be my year.” How often do we delay our actions to some arbitrary point in the future? We postpone joy, growth, and change as if the perfect time is a tangible thing waiting just around the corner. But life does not pause while we wait. The right time is not coming because it is already here. Take action now—however imperfect or small—and step into the present moment, because tomorrow may never happen.

Stop Waiting for Someone Else to Save You

When I was young, I had a phase when I read hundreds of romantic stories, and in every single one of them a secret to a happily ever after was to marry a prince. Subconsciously, that’s what I was waiting for, to meet someone who will save me from my problems and take them away. And even though I met a person I love, I understood that the rubbish in my mind is for me to deal with and it’s nobody else’s responsibility.  It’s comforting to think someone might come along to rescue us from our struggles, to provide clarity, or to bring happiness. But the truth is, no one else can live our lives for us. You are your own greatest teacher and healer. Yoga reminds us that all the tools we need to thrive are within us. Trust yourself to be the hero of your own story.

Stop Wanting to Be Somewhere or Someone Else

“If only I were there, then I’d be happy.” “If I could be like them, life would be easier.” These thoughts lead us away from gratitude and self-acceptance. Everything in our lives—the challenges, the triumphs, the mundane—is part of our journey and a lesson waiting to unfold. By resisting the present, we miss the beauty of where we are and who we are becoming.

Embrace the Power of Now

The present moment is all we ever truly have. Yoga teaches us to anchor ourselves in the here and now through breath, movement, and mindfulness. The richness of life exists in the pauses, the sensations, the connection to our own inner being. When we stop waiting, we open ourselves to the freedom of living fully, with awareness and intention.

Start small. Take a deep breath and feel its fullness. Look around and notice the colours, textures, and sounds of your world. Take one step toward the life you envision, not tomorrow but today. Stop waiting for the right moment, the right person, or the right place—they’re already within you.
Life is happening now. Stop waiting. Start living.

OLY on podcast!

This week’s heartfelt episode of “This place Our voices” features Anna Smithers, the founder of Orange Lotus Yoga, a fully qualified British Wheel of Yoga teacher based in Crewe, and the award-winning author behind the beloved Yogi Superhero children’s book series.

Anna reflects on her transformative journey with yoga—from discovering its benefits to building a career that supports others. She opens up about working with children on the autism spectrum and shares deeply personal experiences of navigating IVF and miscarriage, revealing how yoga has been a source of healing and resilience.

Trigger warning – discussion about IVF and miscarriages

Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/…/orange…/id1771951024…

Benefits of meditation

Acceptance: Moving Beyond Likes and Dislikes

One of the profound lessons of meditation is the cultivation of acceptance. In our daily lives, we are often caught in a cycle of pursuing what we like and avoiding what we dislike. This binary approach to life can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction, as we cannot control external circumstances.
Meditation teaches us to observe our thoughts and emotions without judgment, fostering a sense of acceptance. As we sit in stillness, we become aware of our likes and dislikes, our desires and aversions, but we do not act on them. Instead, we acknowledge them and let them pass, like clouds drifting across the sky.


The Present Moment: A Sanctuary of Calm

The essence of meditation is being fully present in the moment. Our minds are often preoccupied with the past or the future, reliving past events or worrying about what is to come. This constant time travel creates a sense of unease and prevents us from experiencing the richness of the present moment. And your life happens here and now, in front of your eyes. Through meditation, we learn to anchor ourselves in the here and now, allowing us to experience the present moment with clarity and calm.
Being present in the moment does not mean we ignore our responsibilities or become indifferent to the future. It means that we approach life with a sense of mindfulness, fully engaging with whatever we do at any given time.
 

Finding peace of mind through meditation is a journey from chaos to calm which I wish all of you.

Finding Peace of Mind Through Meditation: A Journey from Chaos to Calm

When I started to practice yoga, I couldn’t close my eyes even for a few minutes. My thoughts were constantly bombarding me and it felt like my head would explode. But I knew I wanted to try meditation and work with my mind. So I started with 60 seconds. After a couple of weeks I extended it to three minutes, then five, ten and today I can stay in meditation for over an hour. Someone in the class asked me – why do I do it? And my answer always will be – because it transformed my life and allowed me to find peace of mind.

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, finding peace of mind often feels like chasing a mirage in a desert. Our minds are constantly inundated with thoughts, worries, and distractions, making tranquillity elusive. However, meditation offers a pathway to serenity, providing a sanctuary from the relentless turmoil within, and calming the frantic mind. Meditation also fosters acceptance and presence, allowing us to move beyond our likes and dislikes and embrace the present moment fully.
 

In today’s fast-paced world, our minds are perpetually in overdrive. We are bombarded with information from multiple sources, and the constant connectivity through smartphones and social media exacerbates this mental overload. This relentless influx of stimuli keeps our minds in a state of hyperactivity, leading to stress, anxiety, and a sense of being overwhelmed. The frantic nature of our thoughts creates a mental environment where peace of mind is hard to cultivate.


 Meditation serves as an antidote to this mental chaos. At its core, meditation is the practice of focusing the mind on a single point of reference. This can be the breath, a mantra, or even the sensations in the body. By directing our attention to this singular focus, we quiet the cacophony of thoughts and create space for stillness and clarity. And no matter what happens in our mind we focus on the breath, coming back constantly, allowing the thoughts, feelings, and emotions simply to dissolve. Keep coming back to your breath even if it takes a million times. With time the mind will be calmer and quieter. Imagine the mind as a turbulent ocean, with waves of thoughts crashing constantly. Meditation is like finding a calm spot in this stormy sea, allowing us to anchor ourselves and experience the tranquillity beneath the surface. This focused attention helps to tame the frantic mind, reducing the constant chatter and bringing a sense of calm and order.