How Yoga and 30 Days of Positive Thinking Changed Me

Do you remember when I posted 30 Days of Positive Thinking Challenge last year?

Here's what happened.

There was a major shift in my life since I completed this challenge, not only for 30 Days but I kept at it for 3 months before 2018 ended.

I purposely did that, so when 2019 came, it was easier. I didn't need to start anything new as opposed to a New Year's Resolution. I merely continued the habit. There was less pressure.

When I extended the practice, the challenges I completed were handpicked and random, based on what I needed to improve.

I intentionally integrated Meditation and Yoga practice in my daily routine.

If given the chance and the opportunity to join classes, I'd really love to. However, living in the middle of a rice field in the province, we don't have Yoga Studios around. The gym also didn't appeal to me. (Introvert much, hehe) I did it in the comfort of my own home, alone. Hence, I owe a lot of this change to DoYou Yoga.Com (Nope this is not a sponsored post.)

I started with the 30 Days of Yoga Challenge. It's free by the way. Once I have completed that, I moved on to the 28 Days of Yoga for Beginners Challenge .

Simultaneously, I am also on Day 23 of the 30 Day Meditation Challenge.

I kept my yoga mat(s) and blocks in the same visible place where I do yoga every morning. It's the first thing I see before I get my coffee. When we traveled recently, I brought the yoga mat with me too.

I went into mindful and healthy eating using whatever local vegetables there are in the public market. (The dessert indulgence post on IG by the way was my husband's and daughter's). Fortunately for me, I don't have a sweet tooth.

You see, since acquiring Gestational Diabetes when I was pregnant, I have followed a strict diet prescribed to me by an Endocrinologist and Dietician. After pricking myself 3 times a day for blood sugar tests and recording everything I ate in an excel sheet to be submitted to my doctor throughout my 3rd trimester despite the pregnancy cravings, I have embraced the diabetic diet even post-pregnancy. I have made it into a lifetime habit because Diabetes runs in my family and I want to keep myself healthy. Thank God, it went away. Nonetheless, I have made it a decision to limit (even remove) sugar completely from my diet.

Watch Sugar The Bitter Truth

There was no struggle because I didn't force myself to do it. Once there is a resolve to do something, we could stick to it without feeling deprived.

I have also abstained from drinking alcohol, except for one festive dinner.

I have seen radical changes physically, emotionally and spiritually. My weight started to drop, clothes started getting bigger and my body transformed to an even better form than my pre-pregnancy body.

Yet, the most astounding change I had so far was:

I learned to forgive and let go. (Something that I struggled with a lot.)

" Mieux vaut allumer une bougie que maudire les ténèbres." - Lao Tsu

Translated as: Better light a candle than curse the darkness.

When negative thoughts and anger start to knock brought about by external situations, I am now aware and am capable (not all the time but at least, better than before) to say, "Stop negative thoughts, you're not welcome! Whatever that person did is his or her karma, I am surrendering him or her to God. I choose love, peace and kindness. "

I feel more at peace. My friends and sister messaged and told me, "Whatever you are doing, continue. There's something different about you lately. Your aura's different.

It feels validating to hear. Whatever they see is congruent to how I feel. I noticed a change. I am more appreciative of things lately even though situations are not what I expect. There's this sense of joy and excitement for no apparent reason. Some peaceful reassurance that Someone is watching over us and we are never alone.

There was just a shift in consciousness. I learned to listen and be kind to myself. To only eat when I feel hungry and stop when I am already full. I learned how to make better food choices. Even if I'm not physically flexible, it was okay if I couldn't hold a pose. This feeling of understanding and acceptance were something that helped me in this journey.

In so doing, being kind to myself, I felt more compelled to share this kindness with others. I feel appreciative and happy of others' successes. I ~~was~~ am a very competitive person and for the longest time, it feels good and liberating to acknowledge the fact that we are all special and unique.

When others shine, it doesn't make us shine less, because we can all radiate together.

The whole experience eventually extended outwards. I smile more and greet strangers. I try to get out of my head more (INFP problems).

On a weekly basis, I personally pick up garbage in our street. Instead of complaining and getting annoyed by others' lack of discipline and environmental complacency. I started telling kids off, teaching them how to throw the trash in the bin. They watched me pick up plastic litter week after week with a garbage picker, hoping that one way or another, they adapt and change their habits as well. I started doing this in another municipality too. When kids there saw me picking up garbage, I found 5 of them doing the same without me asking them.

What my take away from this is? This whole experience taught me to look within. To dig deep and change my mindset instead of focusing and fixing the things I cannot control.

This is only the beginning of my journey and while I'm still breathing, I am a work in progress.

We have everything that we need right now, it's all innate in us. Once we start exploring deeper, getting in touch with who we really are, things change and the outside will immediately reflect that change.

Gosh, I talked a lot eh?

What are your intentions this year?

Love & light,

Arni

6 comments

Book FHR Discount CodesJanuary 25, 2019 at 10:34 PM
You've done so many amazing mind refreshing challenges. You've totally inspired me to start following such challenges myself. You are truly an amazing woman.
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MarjorieFebruary 19, 2019 at 6:35 AM
30 Days of Positive Thinking Challenge

Aww... I think I will have a hard time if I get diabetes (knock on wood) because I have a sweet tooth. Ice cream, cake, doughnuts, chocolate bars, ugh, love 'em! But Anyway, I am inspired by the things that you are doing with your life. I used to do yoga but stopped years ago. Now I focus on weight and HIIT training. Would love to get back to yoga though, also meditation. I used to do them in the most tumultous days of my life. They helped me calm down and fight negative thoughts. Now that I am free from depression, I stopped doing them, which I think is not a good call. Yes I am not depressed, but I still get the daily pressures and challenges in life.

I still have an ongoing battle with food, that's why my workout efforts often go to waste. I still have to learn how to really be serious about eating consciously. Everyday is a struggle especially when I am surrounded by colleagues and friends who love to eat. But reading your experience and thoughts just inspired me to do better.

Continue what you are doing Arni, you are doing great and believe me when I say that you inspire people.
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UnknownMarch 5, 2019 at 3:24 AM
Thanks for sharing. Been searching for some post like this for my newborn website. Not sure how should i start lol. i am trying to cover asian countries and personally got some nice point to add Philippine.
Grip On Trip
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