ways to shine brightly despite deadlines

"our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. it is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. we ask ourselves, who am i to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? actually, who are you not to be? you are a child of god. your playing small doesn't serve the world. there's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. we are all meant to shine, as children do. we are born to make manifest the glory of god that is within us. it's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. as we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." – marianne williamson

how often do you step back to reflect on how brightly you are shining? i know, probably not a typical reflection over your morning cup of joe or green tea. that’s why i wanted to bring the question to light in this month’s muse and share some ideas on ways to shine. this past month has been full of project after project: recorded new “tranquility to go” yoga cd for fall release, finalized and shot TranquiliT’s fall collection, began french classes at alliance francaise, sent first round of book edits to publisher for tranquilista, applied to MSW program, revamped arlington boutique, minor construction followed by deep cleaning of chez moi. the list goes on and on. i feel like i’ll be able to take a step back to breathe this next week before dashing up to kripalu to teach the following week. slowly picking up the pieces of a whirlwind month.

shining and putting my best self forward can be daunting when juggling deadlines, disorganization at home, care for three beloved animals, personal relationships, and growth plans for organizations. considering i know everyone reading this has a similar situation of juggling work, home, and yoga practice, i felt it apropos to share some tips on staying tranquil and shining amidst transition, deadlines, and chaos:

1. keep up your yoga routine. schedule it into your planner as a non-negotiable – similar to a dentist appointment.
2. carve out fun time. yes, you have deadlines, but in order to be fresh, you have to replenish.
3. indulge in a staycation. traveling is exotic, but can also be stressful. why not play tourist in dc?
4. stay hydrated. when you get in the zone of a project, it can be tough to take time out for basic needs. it’s key to keep your body full of h2o – preferably with a slice of lemon.
5. make time for friends. a quick mug of tea, meeting up for a yoga class, or simply sending a “thinking of you” note helps you stay connected.
6. seek inspiration. i surround myself with inspiring images of paris (my latest obsession), flowers, art, and yoga poses, love reading inspiring updates via twitter, and find solace in the many books that surround me.
7. light candles. even when my home is in chaos from a new delivery of inventory or days of neglect, i am sure to have candles or incense burning to enliven my senses.
8. breathe deeply and observe your sensations. when feeling overwhelmed, this simple task can have profound results. close your eyes, take ten deep breaths, and be fully present in the moment.
9. do things differently. making small shifts to your everyday routine can help bring forth sparkling results.
10. be authentically you. wear a flower in your hair. listen to krishna das at the office. paint your walls yellow. write with a pink pen.

may the final down dog days of summer offer you a burst of tranquility and the chance to shine forth. remember, you are meant to shine brightly. how can you turn the light up a few notches this weekend?