Life Lessons

Below is an article that I submitted to MindBodyGreen to be published on their website.  Since it did not get selected (I am totally ok with that just submitting it was something I would never have done before this blog), I am going to share it with you.  :) I titled it Life Lessons.

I strongly believe that I have a good work ethic. I graduated college, climbed the corporate ladder for a while, started my own business and worked in a high level position at a hospital. All things that I am proud to say I have "achieved". However,  all that changed when I went on a yoga retreat to Italy from a website I found through [https//Mindbodygreen.com] called [https://eat.pray.move.com] Before I went on the yoga retreat, I wasn't sleeping at night, I was depressed, anxious from the constant worry of work, and had recently been put on high blood pressure medicine (at 31). At night I would just sit on my couch consumed with worry about work. I was an unhappy girl and I had no idea what to do. 

At first, I booked the yoga retreat because it was in the south of Italy, the pictures were beautiful, and I needed an escape. What came of it was life changing. The trip was exactly how I pictured it to be, beautiful scenery, fresh food, Yoga by sunrise, Yoga by sunset, shopping, wine, and good connections with the others that had signed up for the retreat. I was reminded that this is what life is all about, feeling good. I was finally starting to let go,listen to my inner voice, and to actually enjoy myself and my life again. 

On day 4 of the retreat I woke up with a major Ah Ha moment. If I am unhappy in my job, stressed, not sleeping, on medication, and depressed, then why do I stay in a job that does not serve me. Why am I keeping this job? Was it for the money? Was it for the status of my position? Was is because my friends and family were proud of me for my recent promotion and I did not want to let anyone down? The answer was Yes, to all of the questions. That is when I realized that I was keeping my job for my ego and for everyone else. I was not doing this for me, I was doing this because this is what I felt like I was supposed to be doing. 

It's a nice feeling when the need to be happy is stronger than the need of the ego. I went home, put in my notice at work and started looking for other jobs.  I changed my outlook and went after jobs I thought would be enjoyable, instead of what I thought I was supposed to be doing. I am now proud to say I work at Whole Foods Market. Sometimes this means I am the one in the parking lot getting grocery carts and you know what, I am just fine with that. It is a happy place that is very health focused and has provided me with many opportunites. I recently ran a half marathon with a team from Whole Foods. Working there has pushed me to go outside of my comfort zone.  I have become a vegetarian, improved my diet, started a blog, and I am working on my own all natural hair care line. All things that I would not even have considered in my old state of mind.  

I have come a long way from the unhappy girl that used to sit on the couch each night and worry about work.  I am very grateful for signing up for that yoga retreat when I did. I am thankful that clearing my mind and body with yoga  allowed me to listen to my inner voice and make necessary changes. I am also happy to say that I will be attending another yoga retreat this May in France. Who knows where my life will go after this one!


Bio:Leigh-Ann Houchin is a big believer of yoga, healthy eating, postive thinking, and loving everyone equally.  She currently works at Whole Foods Market, has created a blog that is all about living life outside of your comfort zone [https://outsideofyourzone.blogspot.com] and is working on an all natural hair care line.