Show Off

The summer months remind me of the carefree days of being a child. Lemonade stands, hours of playing outside, sprinkler systems and barbecues; trips to the local variety store to buy popsicles and one cent candies; lazy days spent up north at the cottage. As I write this now I can hear the exuberant shrieks and giggles of children playing outside, long past their usual bedtime.  Reflecting on my own childhood, I realize how in so many ways, at age 37, I am exactly the same ‘me’ as I was then! After many years of yoga and meditation practice, transformational excursions, retreats, self-development courses and spiritual self help books, I’ve discovered that at a base level I still have the same strengths, weaknesses and tendencies I had as a child. Here’s a funny story to illustrate this;

By: Katie McClelland

A few years ago I was teaching yoga to a group of my old highschool friends. I would meet them at one of their workplaces in the evening and take them through a flow practice. A few weeks in, I noticed the girls were acting strangely and a little cold. One of them pulled me aside and said she needed to talk to me about something that was bothering the group. ‘We feel badly when you show us your handstands because we can’t do them. It feels like you are showing off. 

Do you think you could tone it down a bit?. I started laughing and replied ‘You have known me for 25 years-I have always been a show off! It’s who I am! Also, handstands are the one thing in my life I excel at and I intend to continue to celebrate that, just as I encourage each and every one of you to celebrate what you excel at. I can’t do a power point presentation, run a restaurant or cut hair like all of you but I can stand on my hands and I plan on doing so every chance I get!’

She started laughing and in that moment I realized how often we downplay our strengths and gifts in order not to shine. The flip side of this is that we can also get defensive when called out on our weaknesses. Wouldn’t it be refreshing to fully own, and take responsibility for all of who you are? I look back to when I was a child and I am still essentially the same person-I am outgoing, funny and like to lead; I’m also impatient, disorganized and have a tendency to splash water all over the bathroom. As a human being, I will never be perfect and will always be a mash-up of both good and not-so-good qualities. 

As time goes on, I find my weaknesses to be like old friends who come around every so often to remind me they are still here and that I am indeed, human. Rather then condemn myself for not being perfect, I like to imagine that up in the heavens, before my incarnation as ‘Katie’, my soul went shopping and carefully chose all of the ingredients that make up who I am. I like to believe that I am just the right combination of everything that is needed for me to learn, to love and to grow during this particular time on earth.

Happy summer and remember to celebrate your inner child who is always with you!

Namaste
Katie

        Katie McClelland, Owner, Director-De La Sol Yoga
(905)540-3569  •  430 York Blvd  •  Katiesolyoga@gmail.com