When You Lose Heart

“The next time you lose heart and you canโ€™t bear to experience what youโ€™re feeling, you might recall this instruction: change the way you see it and lean in. 
Instead of blaming our discomfort on outer circumstances or on our own weakness, we can choose to stay present and awake to our experience, not rejecting it, not grasping it, not buying the stories that we relentlessly tell ourselves.
This is priceless advice that addresses the true cause of suffering โ€” yours, mine, and that of all beings”.

~ Pema Chodron, Taking the Leap

letting go in yin yoga

Reading these wise words I think of poses in yoga, especially Yin, where we lean in to the physical and emotional discomfort and embrace the sensations and thoughts that come up.

Surprisingly it is the poses of surrender and letting go, rather than strength building that can be the most challenging for us.

Our practice on the mat is a great metaphor for life. We learn to be present with whatever comes up and use our breath to lean into it. Accepting where we are in that moment.

Breathe into whatever is occurring …. knowing it will pass.

Let there be no blame, just presence on our mat and in life.

Namaste

35 responses to “When You Lose Heart”

  1. Your timing is impeccable, Val ๐Ÿ™‚
    Thank-you for this post, and for all your work. Best wishes to you and yours for the new year and the new decade.
    Namaste

    Liked by 1 person

    1. So glad it resonated. Transitioning is not easy.๐Ÿ’•๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ’• Happy New Decade.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. I fought my PTSD and it gained power. Being strong seems to be the correct way to proceed.

    Later I found acceptance to be the path.

    Healing happened when I imagined my heart as a butterfly net. My job was to catch my fears, my thoughts, my judgments.

    No resistance is like surrendering to your fears.

    Your post is so true.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Such wise words Marty. Thank you for sharing ๐Ÿ’–

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  3. A huge truth, Val.
    Instead of fighting, lean in and let go helps so much more and like everything else, this is an exercise too โค

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    1. Thank you Irene … for being here and your understanding ๐Ÿ’•

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you too Val for all your inspiration โค

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  4. Beautiful post Val — and this phrase — “not buying the stories that we relentlessly tell ourselves.” sooooo true!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. So glad this resonated Louise ๐Ÿ’•thank you for being here .

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  5. Lovely post Val, I get this 100%, it’s how to survive peacefully no matter how strong the storm is battering at your panes. Acceptance is a very strong tool โค

    – Esme Cloud x

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    1. Yes โฃ๏ธ courage comes from the heart …. and lets us embrace that which we shy away from… and the inevitable. Hugs to you my dear ๐Ÿ’•๐Ÿ’๐Ÿ’•

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  6. I agree with this so completely. Great pose.

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    1. Thank you Marlene. Keep leaning in and let it pass ๐Ÿฅฐ

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Sound advice. Thanks, Val. โค

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  8. Accepting that I “might die” from my tumor (or from the surgery to remove it) allowed me to fully embrace the NOW and LIVE in the moment . . . since I knew that it was all that I could count on.

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  9. Acceptance is much less tiring than denial.

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  10. a great pose to go with the prose…

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Great post! Thanks for sharing. One of the biggest blessings I’ve learned is that this too shall pass. Anything from something small like a bad cold or something bigger like grief, is easier to get through if you keep reminding yourself that the discomfort or pain will eventually ease and end. Looking forward to reading more of your insightful blogs!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you for your kind words and adding to the conversationโฃ๏ธ

      Liked by 2 people

  12. Love, love, love this post. Thanks so much for sharing!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. So happy you liked it ๐Ÿ’›

      Liked by 1 person

  13. a wonderful analogy, Val, and one that shows the power of yoga…

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    1. Thank you PDโฃ๏ธ

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Eliza ๐Ÿ’•

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  14. My deepest thanks, Val, for this valuable reminder of how to be present and moving lovingly forward with discomfort and pain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Jet ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ’›

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Namaste ๐Ÿ’Ÿโ˜ฎ๏ธ๐Ÿ•‰I so love yin yoga Val ~ sending a hug hedy๐Ÿค—๐Ÿ•Š

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you dear Hedy ๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿ•Š๐ŸŽˆ

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  16. There is such power in acceptance. Even though I know this and have experienced it I still forget. Thank you for this wonderful post.
    Sending love your way.
    Ali

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much Ali ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ™๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ’› Sending love your way โฃ๏ธ

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  17. You do us well with this post and advice, Val. “Surprisingly it is the poses of surrender and letting go, rather than strength building that can be the most challenging for us.” It has been years since I last practice yoga, and during these past years I’ve told people many times after a yoga session I feel not only incredible physically, but also mentally. Now I just need to get back to it ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you!

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    1. Yoga evolves with us. Finding the right teacher we realize It is always there to support us through life ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿผ

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โ— About Me

My name is Val Boyko, a dual citizen living near Philadelphia, originally from Scotland.

This blog came to life one morning in 2013.  I woke up with these words in my mind:  “Life is a series of highs and lows. Be grateful for the highs. Be graceful in the lows. And find contentment in your Middle Ground.”

Find Your Middle Ground blog started to explore, reflect, ask deep questions, share insights about awakening, and connect with wonderful people like yourself. Thank you for being here and being such an inspiration.