Stop Stealing Your Own Damn Joy
This Month's Intention: Asteya / Non-Stealing
I recently realized I was stealing my own joy by waiting for a health diagnosis. Thinking "when I get this answer everything will be easier." In reality, even with a diagnosis for my chronic pain it may not make the pain go away. It may not bring me any ease, joy or consolation to know what is causing it; and worrying about it now is stealing my joy and energy in the present.
Asteya, meaning non-stealing, is part of the philosophical underpinnings of yoga practice called the Niyamas. Asteya teaches us to live with integrity, be honest with ourselves, and not steal from others or from ourselves in any form.
Obviously we know not to take things that don't belong to us, (sorry I never gave your pen back) but the concept of Asteya also applies to not taking credit for work you didn't do, not stealing or dominating others time, and not stealing your own energy, time or joy.
There are definitely times when I have been so focused on the present moment that I didn't think of what my future self needs and did not set myself up for success. Like having a nice relaxing night, but the next day feeling super stressed and rushed because I realize I didn't do laundry and now have nothing to wear. I stole from my future self!
Other times I find myself getting so focused the things I "should" be doing to plan for the future that I forget to be present and enjoy what is here. My stress is stealing my joy!
And even though I may not always be cognizant of it, I know there are times when I am not respectful of others time and energy and through my inconsiderate actions or words I inadvertently steal peace, rest, and joy from others.
We can get stuck in patterns of behavior like comparing ourselves to others, that leave us stealing from our own self worth. Perhaps we are in the habit of buying new things instead of fixing them, or buying second hand and we are contributing to the harm of the earth.
Further still, we may be doing these things and feeling badly about doing them and stealing from our own alignment with our true selves.
Sigh.
It is hard, but if we take a look inward, and listen to those signals and feelings we can begin to break patterns. Changing our thinking or our behavior can lead to delightfully unexpected outcomes and bring us into alignment with self.
Try These 3 Asteya Practices:
1) Stop Stealing from Others - Notice how and when you steal from others through time, attention, one-up-manship, power or worth. Observe what happens in your mind and body to prompt this type of stealing. Shift into an energy that uplifts others by giving them back choice, power, worth, attention and time. Leave them feeling benefitted by your presence instead of drained.
2) Stop Stealing from the Earth - Make note of ways you may be stealing from the earth and her future (which is our future as well). Perhaps you could walk or bike to the yoga studio instead of drive. Perhaps you could make something instead of ordering it. Perhaps you could up-cycle an item instead of trashing it. Notice these daily choices and consider if it is impacting the planet. Try doing something different and see how it feels. Sometimes the feeling of doing something good for the future of our earth makes it worth the extra effort.
3) Stop Stealing from Yourself - Did you just give away your power? Did you just agree to something you don't want to do? Did you push through when you were tired? Did you let someone talk down to you? Did you go home and beat your inner self up for it? Notice when this happens and how it feels in your body. If it feels icky you probably stole from yourself. Try making a gentle shift within your being by using the following mantras: You are worthy of joy, peace and ease. You deserve to be treated with respect. You deserve to rest without earning it. Make your own mantra that helps you stop these patterns and find your joy.
I don't want to steal any more of your time or energy so I will end it here.
Move through the world with compassion and consideration of other and of your own needs. We are all worthy of love and respect, and we are all capable of offering love and respect to others.
Hugs,
Ren