Recently I noticed that some of what I most deeply desire, I keep moving toward no matter what. And, in other areas of my life where I also truly would love something, I say I would love it, yet my behavior indicates I've given up.
In my business, I keep moving toward
greater ways to serve and offer more value. No matter what. I constantly invest my time, money and focus in growing myself and in growing my business. If
something works well, I leverage it. If something doesn't work well, I reassess, look for the learning and consciously choose the next leg of my journey.
When I wanted to lose 20 pounds, I started walking regularly and committed to eating less sugar. That didn't work for me. My perceived sugar deprivation backfired and I ate MORE sugar for
awhile. I also didn't lose any weight. I wasn't sure what to do next, but I was still committed. Shortly after that I felt inspired to begin practicing
Kundalini yoga. Eighteen months later I had lost 23 pounds because I had committed to finding the way that would work for me.
Shortly after I got divorced eight years ago, I realized I wanted to meet and marry my fourth and final husband - my soul mate and beloved life partner. Today, I still have that desire, yet I haven't invested my time, money or focus and I haven't done the inner and outer work to bring that desire into reality.
I now see that I hadn't made the commitment to do whatever it takes to meet my beloved because I hadn't believed it could happen. I had given up. I hadn't been willing to give up the short-term gratification relationships that work in a couple of areas for the long-term huge gain of the amazing romantic relationship I sometimes glimpse. In one of the most important aspects of my life, I'd settled for something being better than nothing.
It's been hard to admit I had given up. The good news about finally admitting it is that I now have the real opportunity to commit to what I desire with my beloved in the same way I did with my business and my weight. So, I am taking the first steps . . .
What about you? In what area of your life is the reality far from what you desire? When you take a deep breath and then tell yourself the truth, do you believe it's possible? No judgment here, just compassionate reflection.
We all have the opportunity to begin again in this very moment. In what area of your life have you given up? Would you be willing to
courageously begin again?
Feel free to post your own story in the Comments.
Last week, we looked at making decisions as if we already are that incredibly successful and fulfilled version of ourselves. What choices does she make in a day? How does he think about himself? What daily practices allow her light to shine more fully?
Here is a delightful role model story for us – about Bobby Fisher, World Chess Champion. I first read a bit about his story in Steve Chandler’s transformative ebook, “How to Get Clients.”
Fischer became the World Chess Champion in 1972 when he beat Boris Spassky. While Fischer and Spassky had similar skill sets, Fischer also prepared for the chess match by swimming laps under water.
Spassky, an overweight smoker, viewed chess exclusively as a mental game. Why focus on taking care of your body, when you use only your brain for chess? Because of his swimming, during the chess match, Fischer had more oxygen going to his brain than Spassky.
The more we understand the body/mind/spirit connection as Bobby Fischer did, the more we succeed in all areas of our lives. Tending our body, mind and spirit gives us more energy and increases our availability to give. We are more creative, positive and clear thinking. We listen better, solve problems with more ease and grace, react more slowly and respond more fully and thoughtfully.
In my fourteenth month of practicing Kundalini yoga, I still feel a bit stunned by (and deeply grateful for) how much this weekly practice has strengthened me physically, clarified me emotionally, sharpened me mentally and softened me spiritually. And, I’ve lost 13 pounds!
As I quantum leap to a whole new level of supporting my clients as their right-hand business partner and spiritual business/life advisor, as well as their transformational coach, I am thrilled to make choices that call forth the best of me – body, mind and spirit!
What about you? What, who, are you being called to? What new choices can you make to support this New You?
Driving home from yoga today, I realized that I am a much more patient, kind, compassionate driver on the drive home from yoga than on the drive to yoga.
Even though my yoga studio is a mile from my house, I almost always drive. And the past few weeks, I've tended to run late. I don't fully stop at the stop signs and I'm impatient at the lights. And annoyed with myself for running late.
Taking the same route home, I'm present and fully stopped at stop signs, allowing others at four-way stops to go first. I enjoy the time at the red lights and praise myself for giving myself the gift of yoga.
Having practiced yoga for only a few months, I have yet to be able to do a pose exactly how it's suppose to be done or for the full length of time. Quite humbling for a girl who likes to be great at everything! So, somewhere during each class, I let go of judgment, impatience and the need to be great. I surrender to whatever is. Even when it looks ugly and hurts - two of my least favorites!
And then I drive home in that surrendered bliss - how great is that?!?
In my fourth month of practicing kundalini yoga, I find myself extremely physically challenged. And humbled by being so bad! Yet, every time I'm rolling up my mat to go home, I know I have surrendered to some deeper spiritual awareness. Strangely, I'm not entirely sure what that means . . .
I just know I must keep going - for my physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. In the process of this spiritual awakening, I'm losing weight and belly fat!
Today, my teacher actually told me to get a hold of myself when I fell over while attempting a pose. She's usually nurturing and encouraging, so I don't know where that came from. Oddly, it didn't offend me or hurt my feelings. And, I knew I would not be getting much together any time soon!
Ah, the rocky road to enlightenment . . .
Hey, I always thought that meant I would be more radiant. Maybe it means I'll weigh less, too?!?
