Short Term Hard, Long Term Easy

As we come to the end of another year and prepare to begin yet another year, I am happy to share a concept I learned from my yoga teacher, Judith Hanson Lasater. I’m not sure if she discovered this piece of wisdom on her own or if she learned it from someone else, but it is truly inspired:

“Short term hard, long term easy”

Judith explains that this concept applies to everything in life, and especially to those things that we consider important and meaningful. When we want to learn a new skill, for example, it can be very hard in the short term. There are so many new aspects that we have to assimilate all at once. But if we are diligent about our lessons and really push ourselves through the difficult times, the long term becomes quite easy as our skills become second nature and a part of our everyday lives.

As we make the annual turnover, let’s consider the yoga practices that can be for us short term hard, long term easy:

Meditate every day. Sit still for 5 minutes, gradually adding more time, and before you know it you’ll be easily sitting for 30 minutes every day.

Attend your weekly yoga classes, no excuses. Yes, there will always be something more interesting to do (really?!), but you will never reach the long term easy if you fail to show up on the mat.

Learn how to eat for your ayurvedic type. Wow, the learning curve can be quite steep when you study Ayurveda, however, the long term gains for your physical and mental health are immeasurable.

Embrace love, peace and joy as your path, not just when it is convenient, but especially when it is inconvenient. This is SO short term hard, but in the long term it WILL change the world.