thePULSEJENNIFER RUSSO
We all grow up with a desire to be liked by other people. Part of being human is wanting meaningful connection with others. When we are children, we want our parent’s approval. When we are school-aged, some may desire to be “popular”, but really, we just want to have good friends around us. Even as adults, after we have experienced life a little more, we thrive on interactions with people in our various communities. This is all well and good, but it’s critical to check in with ourselves from time to time. Are we being 100% our authentic selves around the people we care about or the people we meet? Do we freely look the way we want to, share our true opinions, express what we are passionate about, and wear our thoughts and emotions on our sleeves? And if we aren’t…why?
Whether or not you believe in a higher power or have a more scientific perspective, you are the only you…entirely unique in your look, your thoughts, your interests, your talents, your ideas, and your view of what makes the world beautiful. No one else has the exact combination that is everything you are…so why alter any of those things to please another person? There must be a point of realization here. Will everyone agree with everything you think? No. Will everyone be attracted to how you look? No. Will everyone like you? No. And if you live your life embracing entirely your one-of-a-kind awesomeness, you will recognize that it’s all perfectly fine.
Live unapologetically. You have so much YOU to offer the world.
Pose of the Month: Low Lunge
Go into a plank or upward dog position and step your right foot so that it is between your hands on the floor. With your knee at a 90-degree angle, slide your other leg back so that you are stretching out your hip, with the top of your foot on the floor. You can stay here or steady yourself and raise your chest up straight and raise your arms up to the sky, turning your pinky fingers in toward each other slightly. Repeat on the other side.
This powerful, strength building pose is great for your hips and core, and promotes balance and confidence too.
