Is it just me or does your soul too need a break from the constantly evolving news surrounding the pandemic? Today I’m sharing a five of my favorite uplifting readings, especially if your soul needs a break from what you're reading or watching on the media and news.

It's so important now more than ever to focus on the positive, the things that you're grateful for when aspects of your life get stripped away, and seeing communities rise together and support one another during these challenging times.

Personally, as much as I miss teaching at the yoga studios and that human contact, I'm so grateful to continue teaching from home thanks to good ol' technology which is allowing us to stay connected with family, friends, loved ones, and yoga community. I also have some extra time to slow down and enjoy a quiet morning meditating and sipping my matcha latte. Nature has also been a lifesaver as even just a few moments spent outside can really boost your mood -- even on those dreary and rainy days.

While it’s important to feel your feelings since you must feel to heal, sometimes we could all use a little extra nudge or words of encouragement as a reminder to get us out of that funk and remember that this too shall pass.

So without further ado, here are 5 of my favorite uplifting readings that may resonate with you during these challenging and strange times.

5 Uplifting Readings for Challenging Times

1. Letting there be room for not knowing is the most important thing of all. When there's a big disappointment we don't know if that's the end of the story. It may just be the beginning of a great adventure. Life is like that. We don't know anything. We call something bad; We call it good. But really we just don't know. Pema Chodron, When Things Fall Apart

2. When your world moves too fast and you lose yourself in the chaos, introduce yourself to each color of the sunset. Reacquaint yourself with the earth beneath your feet. Thank the air that surrounds you with every breath you take. Find yourself in the appreciation of life. Christy Ann Martine

3. In every moment exists the opportunity to be awake, and every moment can be your perfect teacher. It is a yoga practice to see the world as a catalyst for rousing you from the complacency of unconsciousness. And sometimes the universe just won't take no for an answer. 

As the world is becoming more absurd, if you can no longer shut out the chaos, the odds become stacked in your favor toward realization. You can view the strange modern conditions of the world as positive and negative. Or you can see them as simply heightened. The state of the world is the state of the world. What you do with it is up to you. Steve Ross, Happy Yoga: 7 Reasons Why There's Nothing to Worry About

4. It only takes a reminder to breathe, a moment to be still, and just like that something in you settles, softens, makes space for imperfection. The harsh voice of judgment drops to a whisper and I remember again that life isn’t a relay race; that we will all cross the finish line; that waking up to life is what we were born for. As many times as I forget, catch myself charging forward without even knowing where I’m going, that many times I can make the choice to stop, to breathe, and be, and walk slowly into the mystery. Walk Slowly, Dana Folds

5. It was a beautiful city in Idaho. The lake that ran alongside the highway was so clear and blue, I pulled the Jeep to the roadside just to stop and stare. The air was clear. The city felt light, airy, buoyant. It's name was Hope.

I didn't stay long. I didn't need to. But I needed to drive by through, pause for a moment to remember another important power to discover and cherish on your journey. Hope is airy, almost intangible, yet if we don't have it, we know it. Hope is simple. Clear. Light. Our hearts, our souls, need a good glimpse of it every so often, just to keep us going. 

Even those times when we can't have what we want, we can be open to seeing its light shining unexpectedly in another direction, like this small town that caught my eye. 

Cherish hope. It adds buoyancy to the spirit, lightness to the day. Melody Beattie, Journey to the Heart 

Sending you love, light, and gratitude.