What is best for you is best for me; what is best for me is best for our world.

As the holiday season begins, I invite us to take time to reflect on what is best for us.

My personal journey from exploration to alignment includes my increased awareness & understanding of what fuels my energy and what depletes it. Without labeling circumstances (or food or people or activities) as “good” or “bad,” I note what I need to show up as my best self. And when I show up as my best self, I believe I have my most positive impact on those around me (family over the holidays) and the greater world.

Some examples of the needs I have observed in myself in recent years:

• When I do not move my body, I get cranky.
• I feel better when I choose water.
• Dancing is always a good idea (especially in living rooms).
• If I allow work to overtake family time, value misalignment & dissonance leads to my threat to throw a computer out the hotel window.

The first step in the balance & boundary process is to explore. Observe when you’re happy. Observe when you’re frustrated or cranky. Brainstorm a huge list of ideas that may foster your ability to thrive & show up as your best self. What do you need? What is your best guess?

Once we explore, it is crucial to experience our experiment. Is the experience as you predicted it may be? Does it, actually, give you energy? Is it truly the balance you craved? Does it foster your ability to thrive? Is there another option you are more excited about? How does it feel to be in it? Notice the after effects – savor the benefits as motivation to continue living in alignment, especially when it feels tricky [[holidays]].

Thereafter, nourish what works. Continue to choose what is best for you. Find ways to make it happen – even when you’re traveling, even when life gets busy, even if the yoga studio is closed (access free yes& yoga online!). Why? My why is to show up in the world as my best, authentic self, to experience my full, authentic life. What is yours?

Lastly, align. Continue to be in the experiment – explore, experience, nourish – and as you learn, take baby steps to align with your best self, to experience your best life. When an old habit or experience no longer jives, give yourself permission to shift to the alignment that is true for you today.

Hear more on this week’s yesandbymarin YouTube video. Please share your experiences, questions, and alignments! I would love to be of support in your journey.