Space

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” – Viktor Frankl

In yoga we learn life presents us with the same lessons over and over until we learn it. It is this logic I apply to this quote, which I have encountered over and over, each time it hits different.

I read Man’s Search for Meaning once– If I remember correctly it was while still in high school. I was, and still am, fascinated with the Holocaust. Brief web search for the source of this specific V.F. quote tol me nothing. Seems to me his writing began with Man’s Search for Meaning would imprint all writing that came after to some degree.

I next recall hearing a variation of this quote from one of the yoga teachers in my life. I attended her classes when I (unknowingly) was moving from yogi practice novice and hobbyist, to yogi embodiment. She also would say, “let us live in our lighter thoughts, and learn from our darker ones”.

I read this quote today and it feels like a summary of all I have learned thus far as a daughter, a sister, a friend, camp counselor, direct care staff, wife, interpreter, mother, student, clinician, community member, and human being.

We all need to find that space.

We all can bring attention to our stimuli.

We all can learn more about our response.

Let’s get curious.

Love, Light and Less

~Karen