What is keeping up?

My teacher says, "keep up and you will be kept up." What does this mean? 

For me it means keeping up with my commitments. When I keep up with my commitment in one area it shows me, I am capable of following through even when I'm challenged. It builds confidence and self-esteem. It creates discipline. If I can be consistent in one are, I can be consistent in another area. 

For years, I have had a daily yoga/meditation practice. In some ways, maintaining it has been easy. I receive great value from it and it truly does keep me up. My Kundalini practice has softened my rough edges, helped me process and release anger and allowed me to forgive myself and others. I keep up because I don't want to go back to how I was before. The challenge is applying this discipline throughout my life. When something makes sense to me, I can change it fairly easily. I received information that was valuable to me, I became vegan. I run, I feel good - I run farther and enjoy the challenge it brings me. I know I need a goal so I set it, create a plan and execute it. 

This year I have used this foundation to challenge myself further. Listening was first. Listening to myself and what I want and need. Listening to others (especially those close to me) to hear their true intention. This practice allowed me to become less defensive, more open which resulted in deeper and richer conversations. I have had the opportunity to put this to the test in the last few months and what a difference this makes in relationships! To be able to listen deeply and process my internal thoughts and emotions and speak from the heart in response (not rebuttal) has created a deeper level of understanding in my relationships and has saved me the stress of becoming anxious, upset or defensive. The conversation is able to move forward toward understanding or even resolution instead of dissolving into an argument. 

I also began a practice of writing daily. Sometimes I simply pull a quote to share with or without reflection. Some days I have a lot to share, others a few sentences. I often find inspiration in my meditation and morning reflection and share from this space. 

These are becoming habits and they feel good to maintain. They were challenges in my life and working on them regularly inspires me to challenge myself even further in the new year. Can't wait to see what I will come up with!