While preparing to leave India, and return to the states, I set an intention to head down the “right” path. By this I mean, a path which fosters righting thinking (well-meaning and without judgement), right words (filled with kindness and love), and right action (leading in such a way that one hopes others will follow). There were other specifics to my intention, but this gives you the general idea.

As we begin a new year, I reflect on the intention I made while in India. Thinking right thoughts, speaking right words, and doing the right action all of the time is easier said than done. Jealous, irrational thoughts can make you want to ask questions which you needn’t ask. A simple but unfinished chore might have a similar response.

Although I might veer off-course from time to time, I intend to keep trying to follow the path of righteousness. With this general gist in mind, I search for my little word of the year and come up with many ideas. Compassion, ease, gratitude…just to name a few. None of them quite hit the mark.

Then, I came upon the words “self-awareness” in my teacher training text “Anatomy of Hatha Yoga.” It spoke of practicing self-awareness and compassionate to circumvent injury. Yet I feel that with a broader view of these little words, the Noble Eightfold Path from which the right intentions (thought, speech, action) come from can be taken into account as well.