Quote Originally Posted by teigyr View Post
I think it's hard to have regrets because everything shapes us to be who we are now.
I have spent a great deal of time thinking just that over the past year. There are number of painful experiences I've had over the years that have led, directly or indirectly, to some of the happiest parts of my life. Most recently, I had a difficult relationship and painful breakup with the man who inspired me to start riding and practicing yoga, both of which have helped me to dramatically reinvent myself. The cause and effect of that relationship really jolted me into cultivating a deep sense of gratitude for my life experiences, both good and bad. There's a mystery and wonder about the whats, whys, whos and hows of my life that I'm really trying to embrace.

My yoga teacher instructs us to be open to our in-breath, rather than to force it or to suck air in. For me, that's provided an apt metaphor for being open to my life. It's not that I live recklessly or without any kind of plan or goals, but I am trying to let go of certain preconceived notions about what my life or any experience within it is supposed to look like. As high-strung lawyer who's also a Virgo , it's proving to be very liberating.

By the way, in the midst of all of my soul searching this year, I read a wonderfully insightful and funny book called Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I recommend it wholeheartedly. It's about a writer who, in the midst of some tough personal crises, travels to Italy, India and Bali to explore, respectively, three parts of her personality--pleasure, spirituality, and balance. The book really resonated with me.