I once had a much narrower range of people that I thought I could work, or get along with, even amongst the yogic community. It felt too hard to be around those who: “didn’t get it”, wasn’t on the same page as me, had what seemed to be different thoughts and values as me, chose a different lifestyle, and so on.

And I also thought I wasn’t judgmental.

Eventually, I insulated myself with a small group of friends, and yes it was good. And cozy. And perhaps just what I needed at the time.

But.

Then I opened up my metaphorical doors to see what happened.

This is not to say that I didn’t discriminate. After all, my time is valuable.

It challenged me. Or should I say, it still challenges me.

Opening up those doors asks that I apply my yogic lessons of seeing God in all. It then asks that I express the most authentically honest part of me for that situation or person.

Just because you’re a yogi doesn’t mean you don’t show anger. Just don’t carry it around with you like a broken victim out of control and turn it into your story.
Just because you’re a yogi doesn’t mean you are suppose to transcend sadness and heartbreak. Feel them through.
Just because you’re a yogi doesn’t mean you don’t communicate urgency. Urgency isn’t the same as impatience.
And just because you’re a yogi doesn’t mean you don’t sometimes yell. Because sometimes that gets the job done. Just don’t go down the name-calling, accusing, digging-up-the-past route.

Opening the doors presented me with more mirrors with which to look at myself. It continues to reveal blind spots and nudge me to see where I need to shift my lens, and where I need to evolve. This is not the same as absolving others their responsibility. It means I get to take responsibility for my own experiences in life and grow from them. It means that because of them, I get to experience real connection and joy.

It’s not as comfortable as insulation, but it sure is expansive, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.