When I saw this quote, it resonated with me.  I am aware that I do not always show up the same way to each situation. The quote was a reminder that I often carry around the heavy weight of my mental luggage. I carry the experiences I have had in the past as, though they were things packed away in my mind. These experiences are ready to unpack themselves at any moment.  Often they regulate my perceptions and form my opinion and mood even before I am at the moment, usually in a negative way. I often lack the ability to put down the suitcase of past experiences making it impossible to meet each situation with a free mind. 

When I read the quote, I perceived it as a reminder to do a mental check before I respond. I was reminded that I often react badly to situations which I could react better to. For example, it is hard for me not to see feedback as criticism. My mental suitcase unpacks memories of feeling lacking or under appreciated.  Instead of acknowledging what is often meant as generosity. Maybe someone seeing goodness in me and sharing an observation in the hope it may help me improve; I immediately feel tense, judged and I may be tempted to lash out. I leave feeling hurt and I leave them feeling confused. 

I do not see the situation as it was, I saw it as I arrived ; feeling lacking and under valued.

When I reread the quote, I realize when I am feeling happy and balanced, I can come to many more situations without carrying the heavy luggage of my preconceptions. The heaviness of this baggage is  replaced by a curiosity. 

When I practice yoga, I feel as through my practice of yoga, I am letting go of baggage I no longer need in that moment. I am open to experiencing the skill of living in the moment - of seeing things as they are rather than how I presume they are. I figuratively check any preconceptions at the door,  just like I would check luggage at the airport. It feels like a super power. 

Yoga is following the breath and the movement and it is impossible to really connect to the breath, if you are not in the present. The last breath is gone the next breath has not arrived. If we could be present in every moment we could really see things as they are not from any preconceived judgement. 

When we fall right into conflict because we are arriving already in conflict. We remember past experiences and cannot check them at the door. This is a reminder to return to your breath. Take some deep breaths and arrive in the room in the present unencumbered by the past

The holidays are often a time of stress and expectations. I encourage you to try to check any preconceptions at the door. This is not easy but your yoga superpowers can help.  Take a deep breath as you cross the threshold and walk into the situation with an open mind. Keep the suitcase closed and see where that leads you. 

But please practice self compassion. These skills are a practice. Be kind to yourself and to others as they too have luggage they carry of past experiences and may not yet have the skills to leave them at the threshold. 

Good luck friends. Happy Holidays. 

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Feel free to contact me at anytime with ideas or comments. redcatyoga@yahoo.com I am ready to help.