Just as yoga is a practice of awareness, being happy is the same thing: happiness is a practice that you can cultivate intentionally. It’s a mindset to nurture and protect against those who might try to make you feel less than. Maintaining happiness does not mean denying all the bad or unhappy things that happen to you and around you, it only means seeing the light in the midst of all the darkness.
This is part of a weekly blog series called “Quotes That Inspire.” They are meant to add a little inspiration and awareness to your week. This week’s quote is about finding moments of happiness even when life is hard.
Quotes that inspire
Either way, life is a tough battle. If we laugh and sing a little while we fight the good fight of freedom, it makes everything easier. I will not allow the light of my life to be determined by the darkness around me.
Truth of the stay
In 1867, Sojourner Truth, an abolitionist and women’s rights activist, explained how life is an uphill battle. It really is possible, especially if you feel helpless in your own life. Sojourner knows better than anyone how helpless it can feel when life’s circumstances are against you. But just because life is hard doesn’t mean you have to give up on finding happiness.
Rather than feeling defeated, Sojourner suggests finding small moments of joy. “If we laugh and sing a little while we fight the good fight for freedom, everything will be easier.” There will always be struggles. Making what feels lighter and easier can help a lot. Whether it’s singing, laughing, exercising, cooking, playing with your pet, or listening to music, whatever gives you a moment of relief, create these moments and simply allow yourself to feel and be present.
Finding joy while recognizing that life is a battle provides the perfect balance between being grounded in reality while allowing yourself the freedom to experience happiness. The world around us can be very problematic. There is political unrest, environmental crises, countries at war, people starving, discrimination and so on. You cannot solve or help everyone at the same time, but you still have the right and should feel happiness.
Keep your light and protect your peace, because if you don’t, who will? Sojourner was indeed a shining light in her time (and in our modern times too) inspiring everyone around her. She fought for her freedom and for the rights of African Americans and all women. She knew how to keep her light and use it in the service of others.
Sojourner’s quote reminds us to practice happiness. We can recognize life’s challenges while remaining true to who we really are: we are all simply someone who wants to laugh and sing.
Journal Prompt: Happiness is a Practice
How can I practice more happiness in my daily life? What are the things, people and activities that truly make me happy?
What small actions can I take to improve not only my own happiness but also that of those around me?
Yoga pose to try: Warrior 1
You are the guardian of your own peace and happiness. Be a warrior and master of your own actions. Try warrior pose, a position of strength and balance.
Warrior 1 | Virabhadrasana 1
Warrior 1 is a fundamental standing pose that stretches the arches, ankles, knees and thighs. This is also a good pose for expanding the chest and stretching the hips and shoulders. Additionally, Warrior 1 helps build stamina.
Sanskrit: virabhadrasana 1
Drishti: forward or upward
Counter-pose: downward facing dog
Instructions
- Standing in mountain pose.
- Inhale, step your right foot forward. Turn the heel of your left foot slightly so that it forms an angle of about 45 degrees.
- Exhale and bend your right knee to about 90 degrees. Next, extend both arms overhead while keeping your legs engaged. Root your tailbone and engage the core while keeping your arms straight.
- Hold for several breaths and repeat on the other side.
Remarks
Variants: For a gentle variation, keep only a slight bend in the front knee, depending on your comfort level. Other variations include cactus and eagle arms.
Preparatory poses: downward facing dog, runner’s lunge
Follow-up poses: low plank, warrior 3