By Kara-Leah Grant It's the eve of my book launch and I'm watching a talk on TED called The Gift of Asking. Earlier, I took time to sit on the front deck of my Aunt's house, high on a hill over looking Thames and watched the sun set. The views were panoramic, the insect life vibrant and lyrical, and as I sat I felt profoundly connected. I felt, in my bones, a sense of achievement and accomplishment as I realised I'd done it; I'd come back from insanity - all the way back. For the first time, I … [Read more...]
I can do it. (And so can you)
By Kara-Leah Grant, Musings from the Mat Oh yes... the pressure has been on this week. I leave this Saturday for Auckland in preparation for launching Forty Days of Yoga at the International Yoga Conference Festival next Friday. My book hasn't gone to print yet. There's been issues with corrupted files. Scheduling difficulties with layout folk and designers. Couriers that don't deliver. Trimming accidents. And finally, font issues on the print proof. It's to be expected. There's always … [Read more...]
On having the courage to pull the plug at the 11th hour
by Kara-Leah Grant, Musings from the Mat Last week, I wrote the acknowledgements and officially signed off from Forty Days of Yoga, completing the final draft. It was a surreal moment - as if I'd been here before and knew what to do. And of course I have, many times, in my dreams. I've been a writer since childhood and always knew I'd write a book. What I didn't know was how many people would join me on this journey, how supportive they would be and how humbling it would be to receive … [Read more...]
Ten Ways to Deal with a Crisis in Confidence
by Kara-Leah Grant You've finally done it - committed to that big dream of yours even though you're shaking down into your boots. You've taken that big, bold step that shifts your dream from being something inside your head, to something that other people can see. You've maybe even a good way towards making that dream of yours an actual reality out there in the big wide world. Maybe you finally pitching an article to a national magazine, or entered in your first marathon, or recorded your … [Read more...]
I’m exhilarated, and terrified, all at the same time
by Kara-Leah Grant, Musings from the Mat Today I claimed my moment, owning what it is I want to do with my life. I declared to the YLB audience, and all my friends and family on Facebook, that, with their support and help, I was going to publish a book. It was petrifying. Oh sure, it was also exhilarating and exciting and awesome... but it was also petrifying. Ten minutes after Facebook'ing out the article I'd written, announcing there's going to be a PledgeMe campaign to raise the … [Read more...]
Tossing aside the familiarity of struggle for the mantle of success
by Kara-Leah Grant, Musings from the Mat A friend asked me this week (and I'm paraphrasing and editing for dramatic effect): How come you always write/talk about your struggles with life? Does your life suck that bad? And I explained that I had to write that way... that I loved writing about life, and only had my life to write about, and that meant sharing my struggles with the world - so other people could resonate, realise they're not alone, feel inspired and connect with me as a human … [Read more...]
Day 32 to 35: Forty Day Sadhana of Sodarshan Chakra Kriya
It happened on Thursday. It was the end of the week, as here in New Zealand we celebrate Waitangi Day on February 6th which was Friday last week. I finished work and met my partner at his workplace to catch a ride up to his boss's house to get our car. His boss lives on top of a hill with panoramic views of Wellington, and he invited us in for a drink on the patio. A couple of wines and some conversation later, it was back to our house for a much needed meal. And then, pleasantly … [Read more...]