Finding Fulfillment
Dear MyYogaPal & Fightmaster Yoga Communities,
Happy Fall. The fullness of summer has opened to the season of harvest and our homes and hearts will be full of celebrating the coming holidays.
We are blessed to have holidays to commemorate special occasions of giving thanks for the harvest (Thanksgiving and Kwanzaa), and the holy days of Hanukkah and Christmas. These times can be stressful, because of expectations we set upon others, ourselves and the occasion itself. We focus on making it all ‘perfect’ as we imagine perfection to be the decorations, the gifts, the food, the clothes, the invitees and the ambiance.
Could there perhaps be something else beyond all that? Erin Donovan reminds us there is abundance and fulfillment with the simplest and greatest gift of gratitude and giving of ourselves to others.
Finding Fulfillment
by Erin Donovan
In 2015, while living in Asia, I was lucky enough to visit one of the most historically rich countries I have ever been to, Cambodia. While there, we visited the capital city, Phnom Penh, and spent a day at Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center. There, we walked and fed Lucky the elephant and some of her friends, watched Chhouk, the elephant who lost part of his leg, get his prosthetic changed, played with monkeys, and learned about the work they do, saving injured animals in the jungles, bringing them to safety, and rehabilitating them. Once recovered, most animals live permanently at the rescue center.
The center is set back in the forest. On our way there, we drove slowly down a long, windy dirt road when suddenly, I began to see a few small huts peeking out between the brush. Suddenly, children began to run to the edge of the road to wave. They seemed so delighted to have visitors driving down their street. The smiles on their faces were pure delight. What stood out, other than their enormous grins, was the fact they were completely naked. Our tour guide explained that these children lived in the huts. They were so poor; they had one outfit to wear and one pair of shoes, so to not ruin them, they spent most of their time naked. These children had absolutely nothing but a contented look on their faces, which I think most people long for.
These images replay in my mind often. Although I imagine their lives are extremely difficult on a level that I will never fully understand, they constantly remind me that fulfillment is not found in stuff. It's located in the moments and experiences that we choose. We can celebrate what we have or fall into the darkness of the lack we wish we had.
Especially in America, we are constantly bombarded with the idea that if we "have" this one thing, we will be happy. Scroll on social media for 30 seconds, and you will find ad after ad, post after post of it. Want a better body? Use these supplements or follow this program. Want to be successful? Wear these clothes. Want better hair or clearer skin? Use these products. It can be so overwhelming and mentally draining. But ask yourself, has any of this stuff made you feel happy and fulfilled? Then think about a memory you have doing something where you were so content. I would bet when you think of it; it still brings a smile to your face. That, my friends, is fulfillment. It cannot be bought. It is given with your heart and soul and repaid with a deep feeling of joy and contentment. This is where the idea of service comes in. In Yoga philosophy, it's called Seva, meaning selfless service.
With the holidays approaching quickly, I'll put an idea out for you. What if instead of buying "stuff," you choose to do something to create lifetime memories with loved ones? Doing something meaningful doesn't have to cost you anything, but your time together is priceless. Volunteering is a beautiful way to find fulfillment.
Here are a few examples of places you can volunteer that would welcome help:
If you're an animal lover: Local dog or cat rescue. Whether through your county shelter or an independent rescue, there are many ways to volunteer that do not cost anything but are rewarding experiences.
There are also food pantries, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and senior citizen complexes.
The possibilities are endless if you think about the area where you live and how you would like to serve others. I believe when we give of ourselves and help others, we can find the true meaning of fulfillment.
It is not happy people who are grateful; it's grateful people who are happy. - by Unknown Writer
