Parvati Magazine May 2014 - Feeling Alive | Page 8

YOGA

OUT OF THE NEST
Living Outside the Comfort Zone

T

o be fully alive, fully human and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of
the nest.” - Pema Chodron

These days, I live my life completely out of my comfort zone. I take risks and face my fears
every single day, yet this is the most alive and present I have ever felt.
It started five years ago when my life took a downfall without a landing strip. Within a short
time I moved back from a long span of living an expat life and trying to readjust, ended
a mentally/emotionally abusive relationship that left me in a financial disarray, changed
careers, and diagnosed with a health concern. As much as I tried to keep it together and
stay strong, everything fell apart. I came undone. I was forced to surrender. I remember
the moment when the plug was pulled and tears of shame, grief, sadness and feeling
alone in the world poured out. I was in the midst of darkness. There was no way around
the emotions. The only way was through.