In a recent yoga class while teaching a challenging asana I cued the students to connect to their breath and let go of any struggle. I reminded them that life is not supposed to be a struggle, that we wake up each day and can decide to struggle or live in peace. The message that day resonated not only with the students but for me.

Oh, how I can cling so desperately to the attachment of struggle. Particularly, this summer when I let the weight of some large projects I am working on become a struggle, rather than a joy. I want the work to come to completion and I’m pushing so hard to get there and beating myself up for not being farther along. I struggle with not having enough time, and then I realized I wasn’t having fun. What! My work is supposed to be joy-filled, and all the struggle and stress was sucking all the FUN right out.

Funny thing is that in each situation I have a choice to either struggle or find peace and enjoy the ride. So why am I wasting so much of my precious energy in struggle mode?

What struggle is keeping you from living a life full of JOY?

I found this quote from Buddha that fit perfectly with what I was feeling:

Live in joy, in love,

even among those who hate.

Live in joy, in health,

even among the afflicted.

Live in joy, in peace,

even among the troubled.

Look within, be still.

Free from fear and attachment,

Know the sweet joy of the way.      – Buddha

That same week I talked about struggle the universe put two labyrinths in my path and of course I can’t pass up a good labyrinth, so I took the time to slow down for a soulful meditative walk. I didn’t realize it at the time, but these two labyrinth walks were my opportunity to look within and be still. As I took the path inward my thoughts were all about letting go of struggle and replacing that with the energy of ease and joy. I need to remember how far I’ve come, that each day progress is made, and to enjoy the journey every step of the way.

Buddha nailed it when he said to be free from fear and attachment and know the sweet joy of the way – and oh, how sweet the way of life can be.