Miss Betsy’s Kindergarten was a modest school in an old cottage, nestled off a shady street. Run by good Southern women with good values and good manners, a scene is not something these ladies liked. Yet, a scene was what they got that morning and I was the brazen star.

It was my first day of kindergarten and we were cutting construction paper. We each had a little supply box that we brought from home. It was a treasure chest to me. It brimmed with a rainbow of crayons, glue, chunky pencils and my favorite pointy scissors. I was inordinately proud of my pointy scissors. My Mom had showed me how to use them. I knew to handle them carefully and, of course, not to run when handling said tool.

We began crafting and my observant teacher noticed my pointy scissors. She brought me a pair of blunt scissors and took my pointies away. She kindly said that “we don’t use pointy scissors in kingergarten and these rounded ones are better.” I explained that my Mom taught me how to use pointy scissors and that I always use them. The teacher wasn’t having it and put my pointies away. I would like to say that I understood and was compliant, but that would be a big, bold lie. I threw a theatrical, and most unseemly, fit. I would not be quiet and I disrupted the whole class.

My mortified Mother was called and asked to come to the school. I was so relieved to see my Mom. Surely, she would back me up! In hushed tones I explained. In exasperated whispers, she used my full name and told me that I had to comply…I could use pointy scissors at home. She seemed uncomfortable. Now I realize she was probably embarassed.

Even at an early age, I knew what I thought. I knew what I could do. I knew what I believed. When I feel overwhelmed or I wobble, I think of the little girl with the pointy scissors who didn’t care what anyone else thought. Happily, throwing a fit has lost its’ luster, but the strength of my beliefs is just as potent. Today, try to tap into the early you. What did you love? What did you know? What made you laugh?

Yoga starts with the physical body and works inward to the mind, heart and the unchanging Spirit. You can modulate your light (ie limit colorful tantrums and employ thoughtful rationale) but don’t dim your light. Each of us brings a unique light that the world needs. As Coco Chanel wrote, ”Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.”