As spring awakens our natural instincts for growth, the other side of the lesson is understanding our boundaries. Our growth is not just measured in what moves us forward but also how we understand what situations are no longer healthy for us.
Spring time allergies can be the worst and a subtle reminder of how our body is constantly responding to life around us. Food, dust, the dreaded pollen, mold, may all trigger our allergic reactions and we take refuge on our mat, with our neti pot and other treatments.
But at a deeper level, it also gives us a moment to take a look at "what else are we allergic to?".
As we become more aware of how we receive life, we can find certain people or places are toxic and how even certain behaviors are toxic for us. This requires a different method of detoxing.
If we were able to move to a desolated island than maybe we would bask
in freedom of all that triggers our woes. But alas, we are modern-day
yogis! In the same way we cannot permanently remove pollen, dust or
other allergic triggers - neither can we always remove toxic people and
places.
What we can choose in both situations though is how we protect ourselves
and build our physical and mental immunity to these triggers that upset
our well-being. Our health is not just physical - but rather comprised
of a holistic landscape of our mental, emotional and spiritual
well-being.
Begin to observe yourself without judgement to which situations create irritation, discomfort and internal mental disease. The same way pollen triggers internal inflammation - so do our toxic behaviors and exposure to negative energy.
Begin to identify people, places and behaviors that are no longer healthy. Start taking responsibility for your role in changing how you let them impact your health. "NO" is a powerful tool in your well-being. NO is not always restrictive -but sometimes a necessary tool to set down your boundaries. Boundaries are healthy because they reflect an aware soul who understands their potential, their places of growth and how to delicately balance the two.
If we are allergic to a certain food, we have no qualms of announcing to the world we cannot eat certain foods. How come them when we are suffering from toxic energy from behaviors, people or places we hesitate to call it out?
Boundaries are not only signals to the others of what we are comfortable with but more importantly they give voice to our role in our well-being. Take back your full mind, body and spiritual well-being by awakening your inner voice of health.
