"But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice,
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do - - -
determined to save
the only life you could save."
~Mary Oliver
This is the ending of the poem, The Journey, by Mary Oliver that I've read in a few of my classes recently. I think it's not only appropriate for year end reflection, but also as a reminder to move, act, and speak from that deepest expression of ourselves. Listening to the voice inside more clearly than all the voices around you.
This is something that has become abundantly clear to me this year. As many of you know, I had taken a break from teaching and started back during the summer with a regular class schedule. Part of the reason I chose to take a pause was to have the opportunity to hear MY VOICE and not those of other teachers every time I took my spot at the front of the studio. I'm not saying that I don't deeply respect, admire, and continually learn from other teachers, but when you find yourself teaching with someone else's voice, there is something missing... it's not your truth. I had began to recognize that in myself and was committed to uncover, rediscover, and honor my own teaching voice once again.
It's certainly on-going work and have days when I do feel less than authentic, but I've made great strides towards recognizing and speaking from own voice. And, you know what!? That's positively affected not only in my teaching, but the rest of my life too! This has been my journey of 2015.
Wishing you an incredible year ahead filled with much love, peace, and recognition of your voice!!
Namaste,
Kristi
