As a PITAIYO instructor, we conclude each class with a different affirmation, and they change weekly. As of right now, we are focusing on the 9 week ‘Just Be’ series.
Week 1: Just Be Unreasonable
Week 2: Just Be Courageous
Week 3: Just Be Powerful
Week 4: Just Be Peaceful
Week 5: Just Be Racket-Free
What Being Racket-free Involves: Give up being right (and righteous), especially when you know that you are right.
You can be right...or you can be in relationship with our fellow human beings. If you insist on being right at the expense of the other fellow's humanity and self-esteem, you leave yourself alone, lonely, and with enemies. Win people over with love, not with argument and criticism. Be like Gandhi: never diminish the dignity of any of our fellow human beings whilst being totally committed to your stance.
I STRUGGLE with this one! Be Unreasonable --Got It! Be Courageous, working on it! Be Powerful, I’ve come a long way. Be Peaceful, I’ve also got a better handle on it! But RACKET FREE? C’mon!!
Backgroud on me-- I’m the oldest of 4 kids in my family. And the oldest of almost 30 grandchildren. I’ve always had this idea that I’m right no matter what anyone says, and I tend to stick to it. As I have been learning a lot lately, I’m not actually always right, and even when I am, I don’t need to prove it.
Just last week, I had a client do me a solid favor (without me asking him to) - I thanked him, but in the same breath I told him that I would have rather done it myself. Another client was standing in on the conversation and told me that I should be more than grateful that he had done so. Well if that didn’t just make me more annoyed. I couldn’t put my racket down. The three of us kept going back and forth about what was the right way and how the others should react, etc. until we finally just said forget it. He left, she left, and I was upset.
Why was it so important that I be right? Why was it so important that I keep arguing and potentially hurt one if not two of my clients’ feelings that night over a nice gesture? The outcome would have been the same either way, so why not say thank you and move on?
All it was was me trying to be important and let my ego feel fulfilled. That’s all I had wanted. And instead, I wasn’t right at all, I hurt their feelings and I may have lost a helpful connection.
It’s not about being right. It’s not about getting the last word in. It’s about embracing each and every situation with love.
That is such an important quote to remember when you are engaging in anything with anyone. Remember that treating people how you want to be treated is by far the most rewarding way of communication. Your ego wants you bend, your ego wants to take over situations for you and go up to bat. Stay aware, stay racket-free. Embrace those you love and don’t love with love and compassion and just be racket-free.
jbbartram-illu
germansingergirl
jacobvanloon
stormborns
tangentwithtanner
