Santosha

It should've been a sign, the first day of the year and my scale breaks.  Was the universe trying to tell me that in 2013, I shouldn't let the scale be a measurement of my happiness.  Every day of 2012, I stepped faithfully on that scale each morning and although some days I would be elated at the results, more often than not I felt more deflated.  That's right, deflated and bloated at the same time.

And it is this dichotomy between thought and action that is making me write today.  After my yoga teacher last week spoke about a sanskrit word "santosha", meaning contentment, I know I should be content with who I am today, and that includes my weight.  Yet, after my scale broke yesterday, what did I go and do during my lunch break? I headed out to Walmart and bought a new scale.  The body wasn't even cold yet!

It was impulsive, actually.  I did intend to just throw away my scale and never replace it. Adios! Au Revoir! Good Riddance! But on my break, as I meandered the aisles at Walmart to pick up a few things, I walked by the aisle of scales. Must...not...go!! But the force was strong with this one.  Not only did I pick up a scale that measured in 0.2 lb increments (my other one only measured by the half pound), but I got the fancy one that measured hydration and body fat.  I'm a sick, sick person.

Santosha...Contentment...Happiness.  2013 is my year of santosha.  I can sit and wallow in the sad fact that I gave in to that urge of replacing my scale.  Or I can be happy and content with my weight, return the scale tomorrow and get my $35 back.  Then I can spend that money on some healthy food or new yoga shorts.  Won't that make me happy? Or  I can just be content that I've got a shiny new scale. Yes, that's what I'll do! Now that's my idea of santosha!