Today, I splurged. Today, I gave myself permission to take three yoga classes taught by my tribe members. Today, I realized the importance of self-acceptance.

In one of our dharma talks, we were taught that we need to accept where we are in this very moment, who we are in this very moment and how we feel in this very moment in order to shine. Many of us rise with frantic thoughts, experiencing moments of anxiety, frustration, fear, anger and sadness. Today, I experienced all of those emotions before the sun rose.

We were encouraged to recite how we actually felt, and this is what came up for me:

I am scared.

I am angry.

I am frustrated.

I am lonely.

I am fearful.

If we accept how we actually feel versus how we want to feel, we have taken the biggest step in acceptance and the creation of positivity in our world. It is okay to feel uncertain and vulnerable. It is through these moments that we are our most authentic selves. We arrive exactly as we were meant to arrive: ourselves.  

Sometimes, shining brilliantly requires moving through the mud and tangled weeds that seem to be holding us down, much like the lotus flower and its journey into life.  

This also reminds me of the words a wise woman once said, “In the yoga community, these are the moments we have been training for our entire life. We are taught the ability to withdraw the senses; we are taught finding power through breathing techniques; we are taught enduring pain by using the tools we are given in yoga… and here we are—prepared and finely trained for this very moment.”  

Shining may not always appear as brilliant as our imaginations think shining should appear. We have the ability to shine even when we feel the dullest. We have the ability to shine in times of discomfort. We have the ability to shine by simply being who we are at all times.  

         So be yourself, accept who you are and appreciate how your perception of life changes from day to day. Shine on my dear, shine on.

Nicole Zornitzer, ERYT 1000, is a yoga therapist and founder of Niyama Yoga & Wellness Studio in Randolph, New Jersey. NiyamaYogaStudio.com.