Over the course of my life, I have been involved with many causes dear to my heart. I am a yoga teacher, peace activist, vegan, home-schooling mom of two, animal lover, and wife to an amazing man, among other things! Balancing all of these things is possible only if I maintain a sense of joy and play.
It is easy to get discouraged and to give up on a world that you feel is filled with fear, hatred, and violence. In reading The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama, he talks about a speech the reverend of his church once gave. The gist of the speech was this: it is easy to give up, but it takes great courage and strength to have hope. In my mind, hope is also joy. There are so many causes that I care deeply about and I try every day to make a difference. However, at the end of it all, I have realized what really makes change: Being a good example.
I became a vegan 2 years ago. I had been a vegetarian since I was 14, but had always known in the back of my mind that I wasn’t quite where I wanted to be. I made up all kinds of excuses why I couldn’t go vegan. All the PETA magazines and articles and animal rights work I did didn’t change me. It was a slow conversion, but when I was all the way there, instead of feeling deprived, as I thought I would, I felt free and light and, yes, joyful. I was finally in harmony with my beliefs. Since then, rather than preaching, I cook for anyone who will let me. I talk about food, cook with my kids, bake for my friends, and feel just wonderful.
I have made a point in my life to do what I believe in and live consistently with my beliefs. I teach yoga for a living. I don’t make as much money as some but, just like being vegan, I feel wonderful about what I am putting out into the world. Yoga makes people calmer, nicer, and, I believe, more joyful. I home-school my kids, not because I think school is bad, but because I and my husband have set up our lives so that we have time to travel and lots of time to be together. Again, rather that feeling overwhelmed, the more time I spend with my family, the more I know them, the more I understand them, and the more fun we have together.
In the end, I believe that living joyfully means living as close to my beliefs as I possibly can. Living consistently with my beliefs leaves me more centered, with more energy, and more to give to others. If I am going to work to change the world around me, I need to start with what is in front of me. I believe everyone deserves to spend time with their families, be safe, have what they need to survive and thrive, and, most importantly, to have joy in their lives. I want that for others and I also try my best to be a good example of what that looks and feels like!
Peace,
Mimi
