What Is This Moment Trying to Teach Me?

I believe that everything happens for a reason, but sometimes, the lesson isn’t always clear right away. This morning was one of those times. Despite getting a good night's sleep and getting up early to bathe and put on my lipstick (IYKYK), I struggled to teach yoga. It felt like my brain never turned on, and I just couldn’t find my flow. :-)

So, what was this moment trying to teach me? I seriously came home with tears in my eyes, asking the Hubs, What is wrong with me? He said, You had a stroke. I was like, Oh yeah… and then, of course, I started “analyzing” everything because that’s what I (sadly) do. And cry some more.

Maybe it was a reminder to slow down and be patient with myself. Yoga teaches us to be present, not just when everything is going well, but especially when things feel off. We often think that as long as we follow a routine—get a good night’s sleep, eat right, move our bodies—we’ll perform at our best. But life doesn’t always work that way, does it? I mean, after all, I had a stroke for “unknown” reasons (when I was eating “my cleanest ever.”)

Some days, despite our best efforts, things just don’t click. And that’s okay. I think today is teaching me to lean into acceptance, to recognize that even when I show up and things feel tough, there’s still value in being there, in doing my best—even when my best feels less than usual. And now, it’s also teaching me to let go. While I am my own worst critic, as my coworker/friend says, I need to give myself grace! It’s not that serious, right?!

It could also be a gentle nudge to listen more closely to my body and mind. Was I trying to push through when I really needed rest, even after a good night’s sleep? Probably so, but I am committed to teaching on SaturYAY mornings—this is one of my non-negotiables. Or maybe I’m being reminded that being 'off' doesn’t mean I’ve failed. It’s just part of the ebb and flow of life.

Yoga isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. And maybe this morning was simply a lesson in showing up—showing up for myself and my students, even when I didn’t have it all together, even when I thought I did.

I’ve come to realize that sometimes, those moments where things don’t go according to plan can offer the most powerful lessons. It’s easy to embrace the good days, but the tough ones? They’re the ones that test us, challenge us to dig deeper, and remind us that we’re still growing, still evolving.

So, what is this moment trying to teach me? Maybe it’s teaching me to let go, to accept that even in my struggles, I’m learning. Maybe it’s teaching me that it’s okay to have days when I’m not at my best and that showing up—however imperfectly—is enough. And sadly, most significantly, it’s showing me that I am not YET well. :-(

And despite all of this, I still feel sad. It’s a bit of a paradox, really—being able to appreciate the lessons this stroke has taught me while still grieving the parts of my life that have changed. But that’s who I am—someone who can hold gratitude and sadness in the same breath.

What do you think? Have you had days where things didn’t go the way you planned? What did those moments teach you?