What is it you want most?
No, not materials things. What is it you want most right now? Perhaps health, security, love or belonging? Maybe what you want is to use your time more wisely. Or, to create beauty, justice or peace. To raise your children up into beautiful adults or assure your parents don't suffer pain or degradation in their old age. Perhaps you are compelled to dance, make ritual, sing or build kayaks.What is it you want most? You can choose more than one thing. It's not selfish at all.
What actions are you taking toward getting what you want, becoming who you envision yourself to be, creating the world you want to live in? If you are taking concrete action toward attaining your desire, good for you! If you aren't, let me ask you the hard questions you know is coming: Why not? When are you going to begin?
We have long lists of reasons why we are not pursuing our Highest Will. We are too busy, too broke, too wounded, too overwhelmed. We are too: tired, broken, unsupported, uneducated, disconnected, depressed, anxious and addicted. Pursuing our Highest Will--our brightest, best, most sparkling and glorious vision of ourselves and our desires--is what we are here to do. We are here to radiate the fullness of our Soul Purpose.
We are not getting any closer to it by sitting on the couch watching television or spending weekends and money at the mall. We probably aren't going to find it at the bottom of your wine glass or prescription bottle. We won't find it in any of the things we use to fill ourselves up in the places that feel empty. Those places will only stop aching when we reach for what we really want and who we Really are.
Our Highest Will, our Soul Purpose, is something that gets us up off the couch before we are aware we've moved. Every single one of us has a whole basket full of reasons for being here, in this body, at this particular point in the evolution of the human race. There is something, and maybe many things that fire up your passion. What are they? These are the reasons we live! These are the reasons we keep trudging through the daily grind--so we can get to that things that matter.
When we begin to acknowledge those reasons and place them at the center of our lives, miracles, magic and synchronicity become commonplace And each step we take toward taking responsibility and working toward bringing our Highest Vision into being, is supported by all the whole of the Cosmos.
In fact, as we step into our Highest Will, our eyes light up, our step lightens up and even our skin starts to shine! Our dullness falls away as we awaken to our gifts. And we begin to commiserate with Angels.
Right now, They are asking if we are willing to choose Love over Fear. We have turned away from our Highest Will because we have been afraid. Afraid we'd go broke or crazy or be ostracized by our families and friends. We've been afraid we'd be laughed at, rejected or turned away. We've been afraid we aren't good enough, strong enough, perfect enough to bring forth what we know in our souls is a Perfect vision.
Now is the time to love that vision more than we fear it. For more devestating than our worst fears coming true is the refusal to nourish and bring into being our Highest Will. At the end of our days we will want to claim more than successfully avoiding embarassment or pain. At the end of our days, we want to look back with the knowledge that we really lived and that our lives made a difference.
Wanting to make a difference is a universal human desire. Whether the difference we make is in the life of one of many, the life of the rainforest or the fish in the sea . . . we ALL want to make a difference. This directive is encoded in our very blood alongside the Free Will to choose which difference and how it is made manifest.
Now, more than ever, we must to insist upon and persist in Love. Now we must begin to face our fears and choose love instead. Now, we are even being called to love our fears so we can release their death grip on our lives. We are being supported by all the creative and cosmic forces in the universe! What more can we possibly ask?
Now: What is it you want more than anything right now? Say it out loud! Tell the whole universe! And see if you don't feel your own wings starting to sprout right there under your shoulder blades. Get ready to soar with the angels.
Lets not stand at the ledge all alone looking down at the long, long fall. No! Let's stand together hand in hand, bright-eyed with daring and laughter. Let's count to three and leap into the Void. All of us, Fools for love.
And just when you think you are doomed to crash into the craggy cliffs below, your wings unfurl behind you and you find are lifted by the currents and are soaring! All around you, the sky is filled with other awakened Human Beings who woke up, took a leap of faith and sprouted wings! Behold! How beautiful we are!
Daily Commitments for the Week:
11-10-09. Today, see if you can answer the question, "What is it you really want, right now?"
The answer isn't a mystery. When you are hungry you are compelled to feed yourself. When you are tired, you must sleep. When you feel compassion, you must show that in one way or another. These are all natural and instinctual. So, too is the feeling that arises in the body, from the depths of our Wild Nature, in response to the question, "What is it you really want right now?
Set aside ten to thirty minutes today to write, meditate, talk or otherwise contemplate your answers. The one that excites you . . . that's The One.
11-11-09. Today, tell one person what it is you really want. Who is the person who will be excited for your excitement? Who will unconditionally listen and support the desire arising in you? If you can think of no one, feel free to post your answer in the comments section of this blog.
11-12-09. Today, set aside ten minutes to brainstorm. You've identified your desire. What steps can you takes to move toward that? Let your thoughts go crazy! No censoring or saying mean things to yourself for your ideas. Spend ten minutes just writing down or recording yourself brainstorming.
When you're finished, take a moment to feel the excitement you generated in yourself! Feels better than boredom, cynicism or fear doesn't it? Great!
Now take some long, full, deep breaths. Imagine that with each breath, this excitement is absorbed by your cells--nervous system, bones, blood, organs, skin--into all the places where extra life force can best be used to bring oyu health and vitality.
Set aside your notes from your brainstorming session. We'll come back to them tomorrow.
11-13-09. Today, set aside 10-15 minutes to review your notes from your Brainstorming session. What which of your ideas might be feasible ways to bring you closer to whta it is you want?
Out of that list, which can you commit to today? Make that commitment to yourself and to your Highest Will. Breathe into it. Give it Life with your breath.
Then, tell one person what you plan to do.
Take a step away from apathy and toward your True Purpose which is to be joyous.
11-14-09. This weekend give yourself some time to daydream about your desire. This is a more passive form of brainstorming. Let your mind chatter quiet by breathing in silence and stillness. Then, introduce your desire to your thoughts. Se where thoughts flow. You may want to have a journal on hand. You will want to jot down any notes.
If you find yourself confronted with habitual skepticisim or cycnicism--the thoughts that say, "Why are you wasting your time on this," or" You'll never be able to do that"--simply breathe through. Remind yourself that it is only Fear chittering in your ear. The Truth is that you are Genius-Wild-Divine and your Highest Will is undeniable. Breathe into Love for your Highest Will and Feear will dissipate.
Showing posts with label personal transformation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label personal transformation. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Cycles of Nature
Although we often forget or deny it, we are part of the natural world. All of nature moves in cycles and patterns. There are the great tides of the sea and the migration of birds, the mating patterns of the butterfly and the huge seasonal shifts as our planet orbits the sun. We too, live within the cyclical laws of nature. And, within us move cycles seen and unseen.
We are aware of the rhythm of our heart and the cycling of blood through the circulatory system. We have a circadian rhythm--our natural sleep-wake cycle. If we are female and of a certain age, we undergo a regular cycle of fertility called menstruation. If we undertake to follow the cycle of breath, it can bring us into our center and ground our awareness in the body and the present moment. These are all physical patterns, but what of the more subtle patterns working through, within and upon us?
How does the light filtering through the window as the hours pass by affect our mood, our wakefulness, creativity or depression? How do sound vibrations entering the ear affect concentration, relaxation, agitation? How do the larger patterns of the season, climate, weather, and even the stars affect our cells? It is a lot to fathom at once!
It is important to take time to notice these patterns and their effects upon us. Doing so can only help us better know ourselves. Knowing ourselves better can only help us take better care of ourselves. Taking better care of ourselves can only help us become more effective in the world.
Until we come to awareness, we don't even know what it is we don't know. Once we are congnizant we have the power to choose and to transform. How will we know if the waning light of autumn brings on sadness if we aren’t paying attention? Once we know, we can take real action toward self care. Perhaps we don't need a prescription for antidepressants after all. Perhaps that extra glass of wine isn't necessary to lift our spirits or help us relax. Instead, we might try taking Vitamin D, sitting in front of full spectrum lighting, changing our diet and increasing our intake of beauty.
Oftentimes, my students and clients will complain about complacency, apathy or what they deem laziness when it comes to consistently doing the poistive things which make them feel better. It is true that this resistance may have something to do with punishing ourselves or being afraid of the changes which might come if we consistently practice self-care. It is also true that this pattern of “slacking off” is part of a larger cycle.
In nature that which grows unchecked is considered a nuisance, plague or cancer. Why would we expect or want ourselves to enter states of unchecked growth? If we don't take time to stop and review, we won't even know what is happening to us. More often than not, the kind of transformation we are undergoing is quite subtle. We cannot be the people we are longing to be—more authentic, creative, generous, evolved—until we allow ourselves to slow down and notice who we are right now.
Take a long slow breath. Find your center. Come fully into your body before you quickly read on. Take as long as you need to slow your breath and your mind so you can really take in what comes next.
Too often we sign on for one workshop, spiritual practice, exercise class, self care regime, or commitment after another in a mad rush to take better care of ourselves and develop our spiritual core. Inevitably we fool ourselves into believing that if we do more we’ll make greater, quicker strides forward on our quest. Unfortunately, this approach doesn’t work. Just as we know a quick stop at a fast food restaurant might fill our belly but leave us nutritionally depleted, so too can this all-at-once approach to our own personal transformation and spiritual development.
For a long time now, our culture has emphasized a puritanical work ethic and capitalist ideals which promises us more hard work will yield bigger and better results. Think about how these ideals permeates your professional, personal and spiritual life. Think about how these thought patterns have influenced our communities, economies, the environment and the government.
Faster is not necessarily sustainable. More is not necessarily desirable. Bigger is not necessarily better.
Our body/emotional selves know this. Take a breath into that body-wisdom. Your breath will affirm and expand the idea, helping it take root and shape within you.
Begin to forgive yourself for pushing yourself so hard that the only thing left for the body/emotional self to do is quit exercising, eating right or meditating. When the body/emotional self wants to quit we are being given a clue about our internal cycles.
When we begin or deepen a new regime, we set a cycle in motion. We are, in a sense, giving birth to something new in us. When we are committed, we begin to see results pretty quickly. This excites us and we may find ourselves slipping into that capitalist ideology and push ourselves to do more, go faster, get bigger results. Meanwhile, a part of us is trying very hard just to catch up and adjust to the radical changes already in place.
The cycle thus far looks like this: Commit, Do, Get Results, Quit.
If we have been doing the work of personal transformation and spiritual development for a while, we might recognize this pattern well. We realize how hard it is to re-commit once we have quit. We become distrusting or even hostile toward ourselves for quitting. We call ourselves names like lazy, complacent, apathetic, underachieving or self-sabotaging.
I wonder if the trees in autumn are berating themselves for losing their leaves.
I wonder if when the Earth turns her face from the sun each evening, she screeches in anger toward herself, “Quitter!”
I wonder if the child lying down for a nap after a hard morning of entraining muscles, nerve-endings and brain cells belittles himself for not having accomplished enough.
We need periods of rest for integration. That means there will be times when we cannot take on another commitment, another practice, another asana. There are periods when we must stay the course with what we are already doing. There are times when all we can do are the very fundamentals of our practices while our body/selves get accustomed to the great leaps and bounds of growth we have made.
All natural cycles include a period of rest. There are forty pauses between breaths every minute. There are pauses in music, between contractions at birth and even in the great turning of the seasonal wheel of the year. These periods are built in to ensure we have embodied the activity which came before and to strengthen us for the activity which comes next.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Daily Commitments for the Week:
October 5, 2009. Notice the cyclical pattern of your day in a deeper and more focused way than following your routine schedule. A good way to begin doing this is to check in with yourself four times: On awakening, at lunchtime, dinnertime and bedtime. At these times, stop and take a moment to breathe long and full. Notice your body and where it is, Then, continuing to take long, full breaths simply notice the following: Where is the sun and what is the quality of light? What is the quality and quantity and volume of sound in my environment right now? Am I hungry, angry, lonely, bored, tired, thirsty or agitated? Am I content, happy, engaged, alert, comfortable or calm?
You might want to jot down your responses to these questions. If you need to you can decide to take action to change something either in your internal or external envrionment. You may also choose to give thanks for what's right in that moment.
October 6, 2009. If you are already committed to self-care, personal transformation or spiritual development, think about what happens when you reach a plateau. Do you quit entirely and have to start over? Do you push yourself harder to get to the next level?
Ask yourself if its possible to discern what the basics of your practice entails. What are the fundamentals? When you reach the next plateau, rather than quitting or pushing past the gold which arises when we take time to rest, renew and review, can you give yourself a set amount of time to work the basics of your practice? Can you commit to refraining from self-derision and instead allow the spaciousness within which integration occurs to open within you?
October 7, 2009. Today, commit to setting aside thirty to sixty minutes to review the yearly cycles in your life. Breathe long, slow and deep. Center and align yourself in the way you know how. Draw a circle on a page and divide first into quarters--one for each season--and then into eighths so each season is comprised of two eighths. Beginning at the top of the wheel label the first section Early Spring, the next Late Spring and so on until you finish with Late Winter.
Next, place all the most important events of your life inside the section of the Year Wheel when it took place. Some examples are your birthday, anniversaries, gradutations, the birth of children, major accidents or illnesses, highpoints and disappointments. Note as well when you feel most motivated, flirtatious, creative, focused, exhausted, antisocial, etc. Get it all down inside the circle.
Here is a tool that will give you clues about the cyclical patterns of your life. Once we become aware what is happening to us, we can anticipate the pattern or choose to change it.
We are not powerless. With just a little knowledge and desire, we have the power to overcome our most deeply held patterns. We have everything we need to see with clear vison, heal with clear intent, and step forward with clear conscience.
October 8, 2009. Today's commitment will take about 10-15 minutes. Today, we'll draw another circle. This time don't draw the lines in until you are done completing the information. First, inventory all the things you do each day which you consider to be "work." For example, you paid job, the laundry, grocery shopping, etc. Next, inventory the things you do which you consider fun or important but not-work such as your spiritual practice, sex, making art, working out at the gym, getting a massage, watching television or dancing. Finally, list the things which you would call "rest." This category includes sleep, of course, but might also include listening to music, reading, watching television, hanging out, etc.
Some things I have listed in one category above, might go in another category on your list. That's okay.
When you are done, divide the circle in three. Is your circle balanced or off-balance? Someone wise told me there are three eight hour "servings" in each day. To be healthy, we need a full eight hour serving of each: Work, Play and Rest.
Just notice your circle and the sizes of the servings on your daily plate. Now that you have information, you have power.
October 9, 2009. Take another look at the circle from yesterday's commitment. Take long, slow, deep breaths, feel yourself inside your body and let your focus become deep and still. In looking at the cycle of your days and where things are out of balance, we don't necessarily want to start throwing things out. It may be more beneficial to begin moving toward balance by moving things around.
Can the commute to and from work which you list as "work" become "fun?" Perhaps making dinner could also move out of the list of chores and be approached as fun. Maybe you can move bedtime back an hour so you get rest rather than the entertainment or "fun" of television.
How can you reorganize and recategorize your daily round so it comes more closely into balance? A change of attitude before a change of plans and schedules will bring you immediate ease.
We are aware of the rhythm of our heart and the cycling of blood through the circulatory system. We have a circadian rhythm--our natural sleep-wake cycle. If we are female and of a certain age, we undergo a regular cycle of fertility called menstruation. If we undertake to follow the cycle of breath, it can bring us into our center and ground our awareness in the body and the present moment. These are all physical patterns, but what of the more subtle patterns working through, within and upon us?
How does the light filtering through the window as the hours pass by affect our mood, our wakefulness, creativity or depression? How do sound vibrations entering the ear affect concentration, relaxation, agitation? How do the larger patterns of the season, climate, weather, and even the stars affect our cells? It is a lot to fathom at once!
It is important to take time to notice these patterns and their effects upon us. Doing so can only help us better know ourselves. Knowing ourselves better can only help us take better care of ourselves. Taking better care of ourselves can only help us become more effective in the world.
Until we come to awareness, we don't even know what it is we don't know. Once we are congnizant we have the power to choose and to transform. How will we know if the waning light of autumn brings on sadness if we aren’t paying attention? Once we know, we can take real action toward self care. Perhaps we don't need a prescription for antidepressants after all. Perhaps that extra glass of wine isn't necessary to lift our spirits or help us relax. Instead, we might try taking Vitamin D, sitting in front of full spectrum lighting, changing our diet and increasing our intake of beauty.
Oftentimes, my students and clients will complain about complacency, apathy or what they deem laziness when it comes to consistently doing the poistive things which make them feel better. It is true that this resistance may have something to do with punishing ourselves or being afraid of the changes which might come if we consistently practice self-care. It is also true that this pattern of “slacking off” is part of a larger cycle.
In nature that which grows unchecked is considered a nuisance, plague or cancer. Why would we expect or want ourselves to enter states of unchecked growth? If we don't take time to stop and review, we won't even know what is happening to us. More often than not, the kind of transformation we are undergoing is quite subtle. We cannot be the people we are longing to be—more authentic, creative, generous, evolved—until we allow ourselves to slow down and notice who we are right now.
Take a long slow breath. Find your center. Come fully into your body before you quickly read on. Take as long as you need to slow your breath and your mind so you can really take in what comes next.
Too often we sign on for one workshop, spiritual practice, exercise class, self care regime, or commitment after another in a mad rush to take better care of ourselves and develop our spiritual core. Inevitably we fool ourselves into believing that if we do more we’ll make greater, quicker strides forward on our quest. Unfortunately, this approach doesn’t work. Just as we know a quick stop at a fast food restaurant might fill our belly but leave us nutritionally depleted, so too can this all-at-once approach to our own personal transformation and spiritual development.
For a long time now, our culture has emphasized a puritanical work ethic and capitalist ideals which promises us more hard work will yield bigger and better results. Think about how these ideals permeates your professional, personal and spiritual life. Think about how these thought patterns have influenced our communities, economies, the environment and the government.
Faster is not necessarily sustainable. More is not necessarily desirable. Bigger is not necessarily better.
Our body/emotional selves know this. Take a breath into that body-wisdom. Your breath will affirm and expand the idea, helping it take root and shape within you.
Begin to forgive yourself for pushing yourself so hard that the only thing left for the body/emotional self to do is quit exercising, eating right or meditating. When the body/emotional self wants to quit we are being given a clue about our internal cycles.
When we begin or deepen a new regime, we set a cycle in motion. We are, in a sense, giving birth to something new in us. When we are committed, we begin to see results pretty quickly. This excites us and we may find ourselves slipping into that capitalist ideology and push ourselves to do more, go faster, get bigger results. Meanwhile, a part of us is trying very hard just to catch up and adjust to the radical changes already in place.
The cycle thus far looks like this: Commit, Do, Get Results, Quit.
If we have been doing the work of personal transformation and spiritual development for a while, we might recognize this pattern well. We realize how hard it is to re-commit once we have quit. We become distrusting or even hostile toward ourselves for quitting. We call ourselves names like lazy, complacent, apathetic, underachieving or self-sabotaging.
I wonder if the trees in autumn are berating themselves for losing their leaves.
I wonder if when the Earth turns her face from the sun each evening, she screeches in anger toward herself, “Quitter!”
I wonder if the child lying down for a nap after a hard morning of entraining muscles, nerve-endings and brain cells belittles himself for not having accomplished enough.
We need periods of rest for integration. That means there will be times when we cannot take on another commitment, another practice, another asana. There are periods when we must stay the course with what we are already doing. There are times when all we can do are the very fundamentals of our practices while our body/selves get accustomed to the great leaps and bounds of growth we have made.
All natural cycles include a period of rest. There are forty pauses between breaths every minute. There are pauses in music, between contractions at birth and even in the great turning of the seasonal wheel of the year. These periods are built in to ensure we have embodied the activity which came before and to strengthen us for the activity which comes next.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Daily Commitments for the Week:
October 5, 2009. Notice the cyclical pattern of your day in a deeper and more focused way than following your routine schedule. A good way to begin doing this is to check in with yourself four times: On awakening, at lunchtime, dinnertime and bedtime. At these times, stop and take a moment to breathe long and full. Notice your body and where it is, Then, continuing to take long, full breaths simply notice the following: Where is the sun and what is the quality of light? What is the quality and quantity and volume of sound in my environment right now? Am I hungry, angry, lonely, bored, tired, thirsty or agitated? Am I content, happy, engaged, alert, comfortable or calm?
You might want to jot down your responses to these questions. If you need to you can decide to take action to change something either in your internal or external envrionment. You may also choose to give thanks for what's right in that moment.
October 6, 2009. If you are already committed to self-care, personal transformation or spiritual development, think about what happens when you reach a plateau. Do you quit entirely and have to start over? Do you push yourself harder to get to the next level?
Ask yourself if its possible to discern what the basics of your practice entails. What are the fundamentals? When you reach the next plateau, rather than quitting or pushing past the gold which arises when we take time to rest, renew and review, can you give yourself a set amount of time to work the basics of your practice? Can you commit to refraining from self-derision and instead allow the spaciousness within which integration occurs to open within you?
October 7, 2009. Today, commit to setting aside thirty to sixty minutes to review the yearly cycles in your life. Breathe long, slow and deep. Center and align yourself in the way you know how. Draw a circle on a page and divide first into quarters--one for each season--and then into eighths so each season is comprised of two eighths. Beginning at the top of the wheel label the first section Early Spring, the next Late Spring and so on until you finish with Late Winter.
Next, place all the most important events of your life inside the section of the Year Wheel when it took place. Some examples are your birthday, anniversaries, gradutations, the birth of children, major accidents or illnesses, highpoints and disappointments. Note as well when you feel most motivated, flirtatious, creative, focused, exhausted, antisocial, etc. Get it all down inside the circle.
Here is a tool that will give you clues about the cyclical patterns of your life. Once we become aware what is happening to us, we can anticipate the pattern or choose to change it.
We are not powerless. With just a little knowledge and desire, we have the power to overcome our most deeply held patterns. We have everything we need to see with clear vison, heal with clear intent, and step forward with clear conscience.
October 8, 2009. Today's commitment will take about 10-15 minutes. Today, we'll draw another circle. This time don't draw the lines in until you are done completing the information. First, inventory all the things you do each day which you consider to be "work." For example, you paid job, the laundry, grocery shopping, etc. Next, inventory the things you do which you consider fun or important but not-work such as your spiritual practice, sex, making art, working out at the gym, getting a massage, watching television or dancing. Finally, list the things which you would call "rest." This category includes sleep, of course, but might also include listening to music, reading, watching television, hanging out, etc.
Some things I have listed in one category above, might go in another category on your list. That's okay.
When you are done, divide the circle in three. Is your circle balanced or off-balance? Someone wise told me there are three eight hour "servings" in each day. To be healthy, we need a full eight hour serving of each: Work, Play and Rest.
Just notice your circle and the sizes of the servings on your daily plate. Now that you have information, you have power.
October 9, 2009. Take another look at the circle from yesterday's commitment. Take long, slow, deep breaths, feel yourself inside your body and let your focus become deep and still. In looking at the cycle of your days and where things are out of balance, we don't necessarily want to start throwing things out. It may be more beneficial to begin moving toward balance by moving things around.
Can the commute to and from work which you list as "work" become "fun?" Perhaps making dinner could also move out of the list of chores and be approached as fun. Maybe you can move bedtime back an hour so you get rest rather than the entertainment or "fun" of television.
How can you reorganize and recategorize your daily round so it comes more closely into balance? A change of attitude before a change of plans and schedules will bring you immediate ease.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Begin Right Here
Are you ready for personal transformation? Is this the right time to develop your spiritual core? Can you make a commitment now to deal with that road-block you've been trying to avoid? Is today the day you'll begin being honest with yourself?
Is there ever a right time? Now is as good a time as any. And the sooner you begin, the sooner you will be on your way to living honestly and with integrity. The sooner we begin, the sooner we can set down our fears. The sooner we begin, the sooner we will know ourselves enough to heal. And beyond healing lies the joy we so strongly intuit awaits us.
We begin where we are. We approach and do the work, trusting subtle and powerful energies within and around us to guide and guard our journey toward alignment. Our Genius (thinking) selves long to make sense of it all by demanding answers to questions like who, where, what, when, why, how, how much, how often—and thereby prolong the time when we actually begin. We can get caught for years trying to answer this question only to come up with guesses and assumptions in the end.
The truth is that if we wait to know why, we may never begin (or restart, as the case may be) the journey in earnest. A Doctor doesn’t ask “why” is the bone broken or “why” is the artery ruptured. A doctor sets the bone, repairs the artery. When we step upon the path of self-awareness and healing we become the doctor for our own souls. No one else can heal our souls for us. As much as we want the therapist, the priest, shaman or guru to do it for us, they cannot. I myself am but a midwife. I am trained to show the way, but cannot do the work of birthing you into being. That labor is yours alone.
Set aside “why,” or keep it where you can explore it with your therapist. Right now, let’s begin.
Right here, is a place that feels rather uncomfortable but at the same time familiar. Here, we are fraught with fear. Here we berate, degrade, punish, coddle, belittle, abuse, addict, negate, deny, subsume and silence our Selves.
Right here, we have to admit that we are perhaps meaner to ourselves than to anyone else.
Right here we have to face the truth that we treat ourselves worse than we would allow anyone else to treat us.
Right here, we admit we wouldn't allow anyone to talk to our friends or family members the way we talk to ourselves inside our heads.
Right here, we recognize how desperately we need to forgive ourselves for being so mean to ourselves for being imperfect.
Right now we begin the work of forgiving ourselves for setting ourselves up to fail by erecting false gods of perfection.
Right now might be the moment to admit we need help. Or that we are leaving. Or that we are depressed, anxious, distraught, lonely, alcoholic, addicted to prescription or street drugs.
Right now we stand up and stare clear eyed into the face of our addiciton to food, television, money, stuff, relationships, sex, gambling, shopping, ego or power.
Right now, no matter how far along your path you are, it's time to get honest so you can begin.
Take a breath. Long. Full. Deep. And let it out. And see your resistance to the journey of self awareness and healing drop away from you with your breath. See your fear gather in your belly like a stone. See it drop into the still water of that part of you which is already whole. Give it over. Surrender.
And take another breath. The time is now. There is no better time. No more excuses. No more denial. No more lying to yourself that it's too scary.
The life you are living right now is scary. We live in a culture which requires we lie to ourselves and everyone else, saying things like, "I'm fine," and "I'm doing really well," and "Don't worry about me!"
If we begin to tell the truth we might not ever stop. And what a relief that would be.
Don't stop telling the truth.
Begin telling the truth.
It begins with a breath.
This post will be here all week. The daily commitments will change.
Let's begin.
A Week of Daily Commitments:
October 4, 2009 Today, take a look back over the week. Did you commit to one small or massive change? Were you able to surrender? Did you ask for help? Stay the course? Begin the process of forgiveness? If so, allow yourself to feel pride for taking steps toward becoming more whole, more honest, more yourSelf. Breathe into that Pride so that it enlarges. Fill yourself with Pride with every breath.
If not, perhaps you chose something too big. Can you break it down to something more manageable? Can you find a place of grace and forgiveness toward yourself? Breathe into that. I'll tell you a secret: The wonderful thing about beginnings is there is always a new one. Just think, you can begin anew right now.
_____
October 2, 2009. Just once today, when it'd be easy or habitual to gloss over or deny a truth, take a breath and tell it. The truth might be how you respond to the question, "How are you?" Or, it might be simply saying, "Thank you" when offered a compliment rather than minimizing your value.
_____
October 1, 2009. Often, when we commit to a new endeavor, our interest or ability to follow through wanes after just a few days. Today, show yourself that you can trust yourself. Come back to the commitment you made at the start of this week. Feel the impulse for healing and wholeness in your body-mind-heart-spirit. Breathe into that impulse to give it life. Today, commit to yourself again
_____
September 30, 2009. The universe will always leap to support you once you have committed to a path. Here, I am using the word universe instead of the word God, Goddess, Creative Force, Deity. It doesn’t matter what name you call it or how you envision the Something Bigger than you. We are not discussing religion here. In fact, bringing religion into the picture at this point could make you so mad you forget all about your commitment to yourself. What matters right now is our ability to call upon something larger and more powerful than ourselves so that we might align ourselves with it. That something might be the tree outside your window or the landscape all around you. It might be the night sky, the spirit of your grandmother, the god of your childhood or she who is the mother of all things.
There is also part of us which is larger than we know. One name for it is our Highest Self. Aligning that sacred part of ourselves with an energy or god we perceive as being much larger, will help us in our lives and in the commitment we are making this week to begin. Today, we can step forward by saying simply, “I am willing to align myself with my Highest Self. I trust my Highest Self knows how to align with even larger unseen forces who take an interest in my happiness.”
Breathe into the words. Allow yourself to feel the release of tension in your body as you speak them aloud or in silence. Say them again as often as you need.
_____
September 29, 2009 If the truth of your situation is such that you cannot face it alone, make a commitment to reach out for help today. Call a friend, therapist, hotline or 12 step program. Make an appointment to see your doctor, lawyer or financial advisor. Set up a consultation with a personal trainer or a date with a close friend to discuss your options. We have been indoctrinated into thinking we have to go it alone. That’s a lie. Ask for the support you need. The Universe will always leap to support you once you have committed to a path.
_________
September 28, 2009. Today, make a commitment to begin healing that which is in the way of your living your truth. It doesn't matter if you've been on your spiritual path a long time or if you don't even know what I mean when I use the word "path." What matters is that you begin healing sooner than later.
If you can, name the issue that stands in your way.
If you are afraid, simply notice the fear and forgive yourself. We are all often afraid.
Breathe through your fear: Inhale courage. Exhale fear. Inhale and give honor to yourself for naming the healing you need. Exhale shame for not being able to do it before now. Inhale pride at your ability to begin this journey. Exhale any guilt you feel about being "selfish" for desiring healing for yourself.
Know you are not alone.
Is there ever a right time? Now is as good a time as any. And the sooner you begin, the sooner you will be on your way to living honestly and with integrity. The sooner we begin, the sooner we can set down our fears. The sooner we begin, the sooner we will know ourselves enough to heal. And beyond healing lies the joy we so strongly intuit awaits us.
We begin where we are. We approach and do the work, trusting subtle and powerful energies within and around us to guide and guard our journey toward alignment. Our Genius (thinking) selves long to make sense of it all by demanding answers to questions like who, where, what, when, why, how, how much, how often—and thereby prolong the time when we actually begin. We can get caught for years trying to answer this question only to come up with guesses and assumptions in the end.
The truth is that if we wait to know why, we may never begin (or restart, as the case may be) the journey in earnest. A Doctor doesn’t ask “why” is the bone broken or “why” is the artery ruptured. A doctor sets the bone, repairs the artery. When we step upon the path of self-awareness and healing we become the doctor for our own souls. No one else can heal our souls for us. As much as we want the therapist, the priest, shaman or guru to do it for us, they cannot. I myself am but a midwife. I am trained to show the way, but cannot do the work of birthing you into being. That labor is yours alone.
Set aside “why,” or keep it where you can explore it with your therapist. Right now, let’s begin.
Right here, is a place that feels rather uncomfortable but at the same time familiar. Here, we are fraught with fear. Here we berate, degrade, punish, coddle, belittle, abuse, addict, negate, deny, subsume and silence our Selves.
Right here, we have to admit that we are perhaps meaner to ourselves than to anyone else.
Right here we have to face the truth that we treat ourselves worse than we would allow anyone else to treat us.
Right here, we admit we wouldn't allow anyone to talk to our friends or family members the way we talk to ourselves inside our heads.
Right here, we recognize how desperately we need to forgive ourselves for being so mean to ourselves for being imperfect.
Right now we begin the work of forgiving ourselves for setting ourselves up to fail by erecting false gods of perfection.
Right now might be the moment to admit we need help. Or that we are leaving. Or that we are depressed, anxious, distraught, lonely, alcoholic, addicted to prescription or street drugs.
Right now we stand up and stare clear eyed into the face of our addiciton to food, television, money, stuff, relationships, sex, gambling, shopping, ego or power.
Right now, no matter how far along your path you are, it's time to get honest so you can begin.
Take a breath. Long. Full. Deep. And let it out. And see your resistance to the journey of self awareness and healing drop away from you with your breath. See your fear gather in your belly like a stone. See it drop into the still water of that part of you which is already whole. Give it over. Surrender.
And take another breath. The time is now. There is no better time. No more excuses. No more denial. No more lying to yourself that it's too scary.
The life you are living right now is scary. We live in a culture which requires we lie to ourselves and everyone else, saying things like, "I'm fine," and "I'm doing really well," and "Don't worry about me!"
If we begin to tell the truth we might not ever stop. And what a relief that would be.
Don't stop telling the truth.
Begin telling the truth.
It begins with a breath.
This post will be here all week. The daily commitments will change.
Let's begin.
A Week of Daily Commitments:
October 4, 2009 Today, take a look back over the week. Did you commit to one small or massive change? Were you able to surrender? Did you ask for help? Stay the course? Begin the process of forgiveness? If so, allow yourself to feel pride for taking steps toward becoming more whole, more honest, more yourSelf. Breathe into that Pride so that it enlarges. Fill yourself with Pride with every breath.
If not, perhaps you chose something too big. Can you break it down to something more manageable? Can you find a place of grace and forgiveness toward yourself? Breathe into that. I'll tell you a secret: The wonderful thing about beginnings is there is always a new one. Just think, you can begin anew right now.
_____
October 2, 2009. Just once today, when it'd be easy or habitual to gloss over or deny a truth, take a breath and tell it. The truth might be how you respond to the question, "How are you?" Or, it might be simply saying, "Thank you" when offered a compliment rather than minimizing your value.
_____
October 1, 2009. Often, when we commit to a new endeavor, our interest or ability to follow through wanes after just a few days. Today, show yourself that you can trust yourself. Come back to the commitment you made at the start of this week. Feel the impulse for healing and wholeness in your body-mind-heart-spirit. Breathe into that impulse to give it life. Today, commit to yourself again
_____
September 30, 2009. The universe will always leap to support you once you have committed to a path. Here, I am using the word universe instead of the word God, Goddess, Creative Force, Deity. It doesn’t matter what name you call it or how you envision the Something Bigger than you. We are not discussing religion here. In fact, bringing religion into the picture at this point could make you so mad you forget all about your commitment to yourself. What matters right now is our ability to call upon something larger and more powerful than ourselves so that we might align ourselves with it. That something might be the tree outside your window or the landscape all around you. It might be the night sky, the spirit of your grandmother, the god of your childhood or she who is the mother of all things.
There is also part of us which is larger than we know. One name for it is our Highest Self. Aligning that sacred part of ourselves with an energy or god we perceive as being much larger, will help us in our lives and in the commitment we are making this week to begin. Today, we can step forward by saying simply, “I am willing to align myself with my Highest Self. I trust my Highest Self knows how to align with even larger unseen forces who take an interest in my happiness.”
Breathe into the words. Allow yourself to feel the release of tension in your body as you speak them aloud or in silence. Say them again as often as you need.
_____
September 29, 2009 If the truth of your situation is such that you cannot face it alone, make a commitment to reach out for help today. Call a friend, therapist, hotline or 12 step program. Make an appointment to see your doctor, lawyer or financial advisor. Set up a consultation with a personal trainer or a date with a close friend to discuss your options. We have been indoctrinated into thinking we have to go it alone. That’s a lie. Ask for the support you need. The Universe will always leap to support you once you have committed to a path.
_________
September 28, 2009. Today, make a commitment to begin healing that which is in the way of your living your truth. It doesn't matter if you've been on your spiritual path a long time or if you don't even know what I mean when I use the word "path." What matters is that you begin healing sooner than later.
If you can, name the issue that stands in your way.
If you are afraid, simply notice the fear and forgive yourself. We are all often afraid.
Breathe through your fear: Inhale courage. Exhale fear. Inhale and give honor to yourself for naming the healing you need. Exhale shame for not being able to do it before now. Inhale pride at your ability to begin this journey. Exhale any guilt you feel about being "selfish" for desiring healing for yourself.
Know you are not alone.
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