Serene Saturday: What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?

Do you remember the first time someone asked you that? I was about 6 years old and spent my time playing outside and daydreaming of unicorns – my biggest responsibility was cleaning my plate at the dinner table. 

This is the fourth and final post of Nina Endrst’s mindfulness series.

Why was I being asked to decide what I wanted to be in 15 years? I remember being perplexed by the question but also really confident that I wanted to be a professional tennis player – having never stepped foot on a tennis court, it was the obvious choice. Martina Navratilova was a famous player at the time, her name had a nice ring to it, so it was settled – that’s what I would be.

In my late teens/early 20s the what’s become more complex – what college, what career path, what kind of partner – I struggled with them all. I made some questionable decisions that led to some less than ideal circumstances. Around 28 it all came crashing down and I made a choice to change just about everything, which required a fair amount of deep personal work on my part. The toxic career, drama=filled relationships, and immature behaviors fell away after I realized I was placing way too much emphasis on what but not enough on who I wanted to be.

In my 30s, I feel so in tune and aligned with what I do, grateful for my beautiful marriage and overjoyed that my amazing baby boy chose me to be his Momma. I’m significantly more grounded and confident in who I’ve become, but do I know what I want to be when I grow up?

Absolutely not.

I do know I want to feel connected to my true self at the end of each day. I want to feel strong in my character and rich in spirit. I want to take time and space alone, so I can be the best version of myself and help others feel the same. And that’s enough for me.

I hope this practice brings you close to the core of who, not what you truly are.

Love to you.

 

Poses

Mountain Climbers

Start in plank position, make sure to spread your fingers wide and press your heels back in space. Imagine a long straight line from your tailbone to the crown of your head. Inhale as you draw your navel toward your spine and gaze forward. Exhale. Inhale left knee to left forearm, exhale right knee to right forearm. Keep your shoulders over your wrists. Keep the movement in your legs and maintain a strong core. Repeat 30x. Rest.

 

Side Plank – Leg Lifts

Come into side plank — right shoulder over right wrist — and gaze directly in front of you or down at your right hand. Lift your hips as you press into the outer edge of the right foot and stack the left on top. Inhale, lift the left leg a few inches and hover. Exhale, bring legs together. Repeat 5-10 breaths and switch sides.

 

DD – Cross Knee to Opposite Arm

Come to downward dog, press into your palms and lift sit bones to the sky. Breathe here for 10 grounding breaths. Engage your core, navel to spine. On your inhale, lift right leg, bend knee, open hip, maintaining a strong foundation. Exhale, bring right knee to left elbow, inhale, back three–legged down dog. Repeat 15x and switch to left side.

 

Plank – Baby Cobra

Come to plank and make sure you are creating a long even line from your heels to your crown. Gaze forward, engage your legs and your belly. Exhale and bend your elbows as your slowly lower all the way down to your belly for a count of 8 breaths. Pause and inhale, press into your palms and all ten fingers as you lift your head and heart off the ground. Press the tops of the thighs and feet into the mat. Engage the buttocks. Hold for 5 breaths. Rest. Repeat 3x.

 

+ Visit Nina’s site here, and stop by here to learn about Nina’s mentorship program.

Photo and GIFs by Matthew Johnson.

 

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I loved your little dialogue and I can relate to it so well. To today I still ask myself what I want to be!

Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com

Jacelyn Hardin
5 years ago

Good Morning

5 years ago

Need to try this!

5 years ago

Side Plank – Leg Lifts is little bit hard

Bruce Deniger
5 years ago

thank you for the tips