Our Greatest Glory
Is In Rising Each Time We Fall
by Denise Ashcraft

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.” ~ Confucius

Did you ever notice that sometimes things don’t go exactly as we wish they had? Anyone who has lived has had failures, disappointments, losses or traumatic experiences. Why do some people thrive despite life challenges?

Imagine taking the point of view that all of our challenges are launch points. After a painful experience our life will always call us forward and entice us to get back up and continue living. The natural course is to fall, get up, find yourself stronger, and find a blessing or improvement in your life. What gets in the way of this? Our own thoughts and actions.  What we say to ourselves about the situation can keep us locked into the problem for years or our entire life. We all know people who are still unhappy and stuck because of something that happened in childhood. So sad!

The truth is, people who have amazing lives often had very difficult circumstances they had to overcome. Strength, wisdom and resiliency come from weathering storms and getting back up.

I recently heard a great story about a scientific experiment to create a perfect environment for trees. The trees were given perfect soil, perfect watering, and protection from harsh winds. These trees grew and grew, tall and majestic. The experiment was considered extremely successful. Then one day one of the trees just fell down and died. Then another and another. One at a time they all died off. Why? It was determined that without environmental stress it was not necessary for the tree to establish a strong root system.  Soon they couldn’t hold their own weight. 

In contrast, palm trees can withstand 90 mile per hour winds because they are flexible, bend with the adversity, and then stand up tall when the winds die down. The great secret of life!

The palm tree doesn’t keep the experience active by complaining or being victimized by it.  It just stands back up and continues being a palm tree.

I believe a daily practice of coming to terms with any situation, acknowledging how you feel, be compassionate towards yourself, become aware of your attitude and self-talk in the situation, and turning your nose towards a promising future will guide you towards a wonderful life.

Maybe there is something still holding you back? Is it time to let it go, stand back up and continue being your best you?

The light in me honors and recognizes the light in you.
Denise

Denise Ashcraft has been studying and benefiting from a yoga practice for over 10 years. Denise believes that joy is our birthright and is dedicated to sharing how yoga, meditation and other practices of the mind, body and spirit bring you home to your true self.

Denise specializes in living yoga and taking your yoga off the mat into your daily life. As an owner of two successful businesses, a horse farm and a wife (happy!) for over 25 years, Denise knows how challenging it can be to find your own self in the midst of a busy and demanding life.

Joy is a choice you make every day and Denise will share techniques and practices to have peace in the midst of chaos. Join Denise and her team of highly qualified yoga teachers at Yoga Inspired in Pitman to find your bliss!

Yoga Inspired Studio
Denise Ashcraft
51 South Broadway
Pitman, NJ
856-469-7497
http://www.yogainspiredstudio.com
denise@yogainspiredstudio.com