Best Self Challenge - Denise

The Best Self Challenge comes at a time of year when life feels very, very full. The new year is in full swing and the my best intentions have gotten a bit wobbly, schedules are busy, energy is stretched, and the idea of adding anything new can feel overwhelming.

If I’m honest about my thoughts when I’m feeling pressure, I’ve noticed a pattern tends to pop up:

“I don’t know if I can handle one more thing.”

And yet, what I’ve discovered through being in the Best Self Challenge in previous years is that this very moment, the “I can’t do this” moment, is exactly where something shifts.

I’ve been in the Challenge while traveling for music teacher conventions, at family reunions, and in the middle of long, full days at school. What the teachings showed me is that it’s about learning how to integrate into real life. By doing more, especially when it’s challenging,I’ve learned to regulate my nervous system and stay steady under pressure.

Through the Best Self Challenge, I’ve built the muscle of setting an intention and then taking the next step over and over again. Not perfectly, but with the courage to start again as many times as it takes. And in doing that, I learned something that surprised me:

I’m stronger than I thought.

“I can handle this.”

That confidence didn’t come from pushing harder. It came from remembering that change happens through small, steady choices, supported by wise teachings and a community walking alongside you.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, or quietly doubting your capacity right now, or any any way longing to be more of who you know you are meant to be, you’re not alone. And there is a way to meet this season that builds strength instead of draining it. Join me in the Best Self Challenge 2026: The Year of You. I look forward to taking the journey to our best selves with you!

Warmly,

❤️ Padmasri Durga (Denise)

Black Belt Circle at Rasa Yoga