Hello all.
I don't know that I have a question to ask or statement to make; rather, I'm one of (what I like to refer to as) the barbarian horde of jobless professionals, struggling with money, uncertain about the future, depressed about my prospects, etc. etc. etc.
I work in architecture, an industry that has been shelled by the downturn. Media reports would have me believe that there is hope, but it doesn't look like it from here.
For the relatively short time I've practiced yoga (about 4 years) its provided incredible stress relief. I'm currently finding that stress relief is not enough; I need motivation, confidence, courage, and I suppose a large portion of perseverance.
Questions such as "Do I change careers?" feel too large to tackle. There are lists of other equally large questions hanging there in my life, but I find myself listlessly waiting day to day for some magic phone call that will throw me back into my former routine.
How does one go about making a new routine from whole cloth?
And more to the point, how does yoga help in the tailoring?
Thanks to all for your thoughts and insight;

-Christopher

Hi Christopher,

There are many different ways to create a new routine or even a new life, so I'll address your question about how yoga helps in the tailoring of this new routine.

1. Practicing yoga and meditation gives one the tools to see things clearly. Try to step back and look at things as a detached witness rather than coming from a place of reaction and being totally lost in emotions and thoughts.
2. Use that clarity and calmness of mind to create a vision of what changes you are seeking. Be as clear and detailed as possible. See all of the step required to achieve that change.
3. Practicing yoga gives one faith that doing something on a regular basis provides benefits and progress. So create a small goal that you can work on a regular basis and work towards achieving it. Once you have faith in this process you can string together smaller goals to achieve larger ones.
4. Give gratitude for the universe giving you a kick in the pants to make you look at your life more closely. See this as an opportunity and become excited that you have no idea what the future will bring to you. Be mindful of the negative thoughts as they arrive and work on flipping them, changing them into positives instead of negatives. Also work on being grateful for what you do have in your life.

Hope that helps!