Cookie-monster

As 2024 begins to gain momentum, I've been engaging in that all too familiar ritual of looking back on the past year. Reflecting on the highs and lows, the lessons, successes, and mistakes along the way. This leads to the contemplation of how to shape the upcoming year and setting goals. However, sometimes these goals can feel a little too big or ambitious.

It reminds me of starting my yoga practice. In the beginning, you may not have the faintest idea about what you are doing or even grasp the essence of a Sun Salutation. And that's perfectly fine. When you start practicing asanas, you might not get the posture right away, but there's something that draws you back. It's like tasting a tiny bit of a cookie and finding yourself eager to invest more effort to get more. Effort then comes naturally, because once you know what a chocolate chip cookie tastes like, you're naturally willing to go through some work to get one. Just as that taste of the cookie hints at the flavor, if that taste doesn't quite match your preferences, it's a cue to maybe explore elsewhere.

Dreaming big is fantastic. But to get there, it takes first a little taste to move forward. How can you taste just a crumble of your dream as soon as you can? As I begin to find myself as a yoga teacher in a new place without my Sydney community, I feel a mix of anxiety, overwhelm, and excitement when I look at the mountain in front of me. Yet, the little taste I've had from the Basel scene so far has been delightful. It's enough to prompt me to put in the effort.

In yoga, as in life, the journey often starts with that small first step or, in this case, a nibble of the cookie. These small tastes are like guideposts they remind us that it's okay to start small – the crucial part is that we've taken the first bite.