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A Story About Being Shat On (Is it always bad?)

I was once supporting a Yoga Student during a Yoga Therapy session. He was very disappointed about a mate who had done the wrong things by him and certain family members that didn’t help him out when he needed it. He said “I don’t appreciate feeling like Ive been shat on that’s all”


Relating to interesting bumps along the path of all human relationships I suggested this is something we can work with on our Yoga Mat (to make space for what ever it is we are feeling)
I began our asana + pranayama (postures + breath work) part of the class, going into some deep hip releasing + some anger releasing poses. His breath started to steady and his face started to look a little more calm. Whilst he was in the yoga pose I recalled some wise words (from Dan Millman) that once helped me when I was going through some personal struggles – this little story helped me take on a different perspective and rather than feel like a victim I just felt lighter and I enjoyed the laugh:)


Given its Friday the 13th which some find as ‘bad luck’ I thought it timely to share this story from No Ordinary Moments by Dan Millman. It’s not the typical “Good Luck, Bad Luck” who’s to know? story but it’s a great one for perspective around it. Enjoy:


One chilly autumn day, as thousands of birds took wing and flew south to escape the frozen winter one little blue-bird decided he wasn’t leaving with the rest. “A waste of time,” he reasoned. “After all, I’ll just have to fly all the way back again next spring.” Soon, however, a record cold spell descended upon the land, and the little bird realised he would have to leave. He winged his way up into the sky, but soon the icy air overcame him, his little wings froze, and he plummeted out of the sky. As fortune would have it, his nearly lifeless body landed in a large haystack, then fell onto the hard earth of a barnyard, near a group of cows.


Just as the little bluebird’s heart, nearly frozen, was about to stop, a cow happened by and relieved itself directly over the little bird. The warm manure covered the bird, saving his life; his little heart started breathing strongly, and his wings thawed out. Happy to be alive, the bluebird began to sing a beautiful song, which , as fate allowed, attracted the attention of the barnyard cat, who padded over, looked through the manure, found the little bird, and promptly ate him!


This story ends with two morals:


Not every one who dumps on us is necessarily our enemy.
Not everyone who gets us out of the mess is necessarily our friend.


I still remember the look on my students face turning from anger and disappointment to being a little calmer in the yoga posture, then his mouth dropping open in shock after the words “promptly ate him!” I remember him throwing his head back laughing, “I can’t believe you told me such a terrible story – what a terrible story (he was an animal lover;) However he did ask me to send his thanks onto Dan Millman for making his day a little brighter with this new perspective.


On the days where you feel like people are shitting on you, perhaps stop and consider the qualities within yourself that they are giving you the opportunity to strengthen.


“Perhaps people who you initially feel could have helped you more than they did – actually helped you more than you know by showing you that you can do it on your own”.
Tammy Williams

Of course there is a more traditional Good Luck Bad Luck who’s to know story but another time.


Namaste
Happy Friday the 13th 🙂
xox Tammy


DAN MILLMAN IS VISITING AUSTRALIA FOR AN EVENING TALK AND AN EXCLUSIVE ONE DAY TRAINING EVENT – click here to find out more.