01/12/2026
***Warning: Lengthy Inspirational Note- I shared this message with my yoga group on my yogi's advice, now extending it to YOU!
January is here, spacious, fresh, and full of possibility. It's a great time to slow down, pause, reflect, and set the tone for the months ahead.
Sometimes it’s challenging to set the right tone when those around you are trying to change the sound. It's like jamming to your favorite song in the car, and then someone turns it down or switches the station — you know that feeling. But as the driver, we all know we control the radio, yet sometimes those around us, intentionally or unintentionally, forget this. How we respond is the next part, but with patience and gentle effort, you can guide it back to your station, set the tone, and find your happy place once again.
In these moments when life is trying to change your station, I invite you to:
Take a breath. YES, so many times we react without first taking a breath to center ourselves. When things happen, the first thing our body does is hold its breath, and we tighten up, triggering the fight-or-flight response. I invite you to breathe not just with awareness from the mouth, but through the whole body. Send a breath through the entire body several times. I know you think Thelma always says to breathe, but it is the essence of allowing that pause before we react and speak, which can make all the difference in what happens next. The Power of the Pause can be immense, but it's so worth it.
This next one I loved when I read it: Take nothing personally.
Your sensitivity is a gift - but when you take everything personally, that gift turns into self-punishment. We are human, but sometimes our mind turns something into what it is not. So, when you breathe and pause, say to yourself, "Take nothing personally." So many times, someone says or does something and moves on, whether intentionally or not, but we continue to self-punish ourselves by giving it room in our minds and hearts. NOW I am not saying let people be unkind to you..that is another email. I am saying take back the control of your station and don't give them more of your life clock.
My favorite quote of the week: stop auditioning for approval from people who are overwhelmed, distracted, emotionally immature, or who project their stress onto you. Let me say I believe most people are good and kind, and wake up each morning with good intentions. Life is not always easy, and we never know what someone is carrying on their shoulders, so we should give grace, but we need to stop auditioning for their approval. During auditions, we let others influence or change us, but remember: you don't need to be changed. Stay true to yourself. WE self-punish ourselves when we don't get approval, acceptance, or behavioral change. If you know me, you know I always invite you to look for the positive in people, situations, and life, but don't let anyone steal your "GREATNESS" so they can feel better.
Lastly, if you want to find a place that lets you control your own station and honors YOUR Greatness, join me for yoga on Tuesday at 5:30 pm at The Studio on The Square. Sign up at https://yogawiththelma.as.me/schedule.php or drop me a note to sign you up or drop in.
Keep steering your own soundtrack and stay true to you.
Your yoga teacher & friend,
Thelma
