Soul Proprietor - Burn brightly

“We show up,
burn brightly in the moment,
live passionately,
hold nothing back,
and when the moment is over,
when our work is done,
we step back,
and we let go.”

~ Rolf Gates, Meditations from the Mat

This is one of my favorite quotes and one that I read often at the end of yoga class, after the bell has rung and I’m guiding my students out of meditation, back into the real world.

It’s a beautiful sentiment on how to live – or work.

Sometimes just showing up is an act of courage. Putting your work (or yourself) out there isn’t for the squeamish. And no matter how long you’ve been at your game, it never gets easier. Sure, you become a little more immune to the external noise but you might still feel scared deep down inside.

It takes guts to be out there, full on, day in and day out. But when we show up and give it our all in the moment, and let go of the results, unconcerned with the accolades or the critics, the path becomes much less fearful. We become fully present. Liberated even.

The alternative isn’t an alternative. Holding back, dulling your shine, becoming part of the wallpaper, or giving a weak-assed effort because the fear of failure or judgment is so great – that fixation on what might happen only leads to smallness, conformity, and a business half-lived. That, my friends, isn’t the way to go.

Instead, step bravely into your business. Do your best, every single day, every moment of the day. Be intentional. Give a damn. Then let it all go after the work is done. Breathe.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

Burn on.

Blessings,

Theresa

I’m a huge fan of Rolf Gates – check out his work here.