Role Model

A good example is the best sermon. – Anon

I am a role model to many people. I teach health and fitness. My image, my persona, and my attitude, I project with a sense of strength, balance, and caring.  I am no one special and yet many of my students count on me to lighten their day and provide a strong shoulder to lean on when they are down and lonely.  Although I do project an example of professionalism, fitness, and health, my students over the years have provided me with such wonderful examples of real people with real hearts and souls. We are all in some way examples of both vices and virtues to each other and from each other we learn and grow.
We often think of yoga as being virtuous and spiritual and this is true, however in the real world we are often faced with negativity and brutality.  The world can appear, “dog eat dog.”  When a person through the practice of yoga is balanced and centered even the most horrific does not disturb the peace and quietude of the soul.  It is not that the soul does not care but that the soul realizes that the world is made of opposites and it is through the opposites that we understand life.
An example would be Hitler. Certainly we would all agree that what Hitler did was horrific. But if we examine these horrific acts from a neutral balanced place we can see that Hitler was an example of just what a human being was capable of doing to his or her fellow man.  Hitler brought to light prejudice, hatred, cruelty, and brutality.  Being appalled by these acts we experience compassion, sadness, injustice, and a moral and ethical point of view that might lay dormant without the intensity of this example.
Through the practice of yoga one may discover the call to teach.  This calling brings with it the responsibility to share and be a good role model for the virtues of living a yogi life.  Such virtues include, balance, quietude, serenity, peace, sharing, giving, compassion, and understanding.  Further we practice truth, non-violence, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-greed.  Each of these has a deeper meaning than what appears on the surface. These deeper meanings are to be shared with others as part of the practice of yoga.
These virtues and meanings are not restricted to yoga but are part of the bigger part of life which calls upon all of us no matter what our station or vocation to share and give without hurting others.  If these virtues were practiced by each of us every day the world would be an example of interconnected respect and love.
So whether you practice yoga or not, think about how you can become an example of good will.  Think about how you might share with others even in the smallest way and how you might be an example or role model.  Nothing is as infectious or moving as an example that inspires us to improve, reach higher, and accomplishes our goals.
Doctor Lynn
www.doctorlynn.com