In an act of full disclosure I will share with you that the years 2013 - 2015 were incredibly challenging for me. I was tested in ways I had never before been tested. I was pushed and forced to do what I did not think I was capable of doing.
At one point I remember feeling intensely sad and at an absolute loss. For all of my life up until this time I'd had the gift of resiliency. I'd get knocked down. Then, I would shake it off. Recalibrate. Re-center. I would gather myself up and keep moving.
Not this time. I distinctly recall mourning my former self. I was sad. Angry. Depressed. Regretful. Ruthless with myself and internally towards those I perceived had knowingly cut me to the bone. I felt like my soul had literally been sucked out of my body for good. What did I have to live for? The person I used to be vanished. Escaped.
I can't point to any one specific day that eventually led to my turn-around. Although, there were several events woven together that became my life line.
Have you had the experience of seeing the same number sequence over and over? Perhaps it's in the same day or within a few days. Maybe you wake up and its 5:55 a.m., then later in the day you see 555 on a license plate. Then, that evening you happen to look at your clock and it's 5:55 p.m.. Most of us have been trained and schooled to think of this as pure coincidence or just random happenstance. However, I've come to learn and appreciate the deeper meaning in these number messages.
Have you ever noticed how some people "go" through life while others "grow" through life? The growth oriented folks have experienced the all-too-common feeling of being so incredibly close to giving up, yet despite the fact they have no idea what's ahead - they just keep moving on. They dig deep.
And on the other end of the pendulum, we find those that feel absolutely consumed by the pressure and ultimately completely backing off. Bowing out. Numbing out. If we’re honest with ourselves, we’ve been on and felt deeply both sides of this coin. And if you’re anything like me (and I’m betting you are) you’ve found yourself fascinated by the unique individuals that keep moving forward, despite the magnitude of what’s in front of them.
What is their secret? Read on to find the answer.
Have you ever wondered: What if. . . it’s my future self that is walking me towards it, not my past self pushing me? Most of us I imagine have been strongly influenced by the thinking of past events being what catapults us and motivates us forward. And to a point, I believe this is true.
However, I am also of the opinion that as we move through life there comes a time where we arrive at the realization that our past is literally complete. Not in a macabre, dark sense. What I mean is the knowledge, reasoning and intellectual pursuits that once gave us so much satisfaction are no longer enough for us. We have outgrown them.
A biographer of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart tells a story given to him directly from Mozart. A would-be student came to Mozart one day and said that he wanted help writing symphony's. To this Mozart asked if he'd written any yet. The would-be student said no. Mozart goes on to say that since the student was young yet it would be good to start with minuets. The student, pressing Mozart, says.. No. You don't understand. I want help with writing symphony's, not minuets.
Mahatma Gandhi is quoted as saying, "the simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowing in prayer." I don't know about you, but this made me pause and read it a second time. Personally, I like to keep things simple. Like the motto of the Golden Rule states, "Do unto others as you'd have done unto you."
If you had to sum up who you are in one sentence, what would you say about yourself? What is it that makes you uniquely you? Even if you think you don't have anything interesting or special to offer I would encourage you to look closer, look deeper. What is the diamond in the rough?
What do other people comment on or compliment you on that perhaps you take for granted? What comes so naturally to you that you tend to think it's not anything special? Can't everyone do this, you tell yourself over and over.
No. They can't. Time to embrace this instead of playing it down, my friends.
Each one of us has a unique set of traits and qualities that is special to us. Carl Jung, the well-known psychologist, coined the term archetypes that works quite nicely with this discussion.
If you had to sum up who you are in one sentence- what would you say about yourself? What is it that makes you uniquely you? Even if you think you don't have anything interesting or special to offer I would encourage you to look closer, look deeper. What is the diamond in the rough?
What do other people comment on or compliment you on that perhaps you take for granted? What comes so naturally to you that you tend to think it's not anything special? Can't everyone do this, you tell yourself over and over.
No. They can't. Time to embrace this instead of playing it down, my friends.
If you had to sum up who you are in one sentence- what would you say about yourself? What is it that makes you uniquely you? Even if you think you don't have anything interesting or special to offer I would encourage you to look closer, look deeper. What is the diamond in the rough?
What do other people comment on or compliment you on that perhaps you take for granted? What comes so naturally to you that you tend to think it's not anything special? Can't everyone do this, you tell yourself over and over.
No. They can't. Time to embrace this instead of playing it down, my friends.
Mahatma Gandhi is quoted as saying, "the simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowing in prayer." I don't know about you, but this made me pause and read it a second time. We all know people who profess to be lovers of faith and devoted followers of a religion or philosophy they most resonate with. Some of these devotees are true models of compassion, kindness and love. However, there are others whose actions are out of alignment with what they say. All too excited to let us know scripture. Yet... there is a cavalier judgement and critcism to their thinking that just doesn't feel right to us.
I typically do not start my articles out with a quote; however, this post lends itself beautifully to it.
"Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise so I am changing myself." Rumi
The poets describe so effortlessly and beautifully the internal transformations one goes through in a lifetime. The perfect words are chosen. Not too many. Just right.The ethers sing the perfect message and letters to the poet's inner ear. Written out on paper seamlessly to describe an indescribable experience.
I write this tongue-in-cheek and with a healthy dose of reality. I'm sure many of you can relate to times that you are heightened to your inner feelings, gut- reactions and instincts. These typically come in the form of knowing about a situation before it happens and/or knowing what your true creative talents are that need to be brought forth in the world. You can feel this guidance, but perhaps you don't trust it? Or, you can barely hear it anymore and wouldn't know what to do if you did listen. So, you ignore the ringer and don't pick up. Sound familiar?
Well... the votes and tally's are in and I listened. A big Thank You to all of you who responded back to let me know your thoughts. And, if you were unable to get to my Survey, I am always open to feedback about what types of things bother you, what you'd like to see more of and what has been helpful. If something arises and you want to share it with me please do so! Your comments matter.
With all of this being said I would like to share the 5 Most Important Changes and Happenings that you will see.
Most of us, when asked, what we really want to do have a list of reasons we can't do it. Resistance is strong. Powerful. "Safe" jobs or careers overwhelmingly take precedence over creative, inspiring vocations that come from our heart. In our culture, there is a strong belief that a career in the creative arts should be relegated to a hobby--at best. Careers that focus on benefits, money and security are pushed hard by parents and schools. I find this interesting because undoubtedly you could find many, many examples of people doing exactly what you really want to do. And, making a great living at it as well. So, the big question is: why do we pass it off as good luck, timing or divine lining up of the stars for others? Why do we not factor ourselves into the equation?
A biographer of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart retells a story given to him directly from Mozart. A would-be student came to Mozart one day and said that he wanted help writing symphony's. To this Mozart asked if he'd written any yet. This would-be student said no. Mozart goes on to say that since the student was young yet it would be good to start with minuets. The student, pressing Mozart, says.. No. You don't understand. I want help with writing symphony's, not minuets.
Mahatma Gandhi is quoted as saying, "the simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowing in prayer." I don't know about you, but this made me pause and read it a second time. We all know people who profess to be lovers of faith and devoted followers of a religion or philosophy they most resonate with. Some of these devotees are true models of compassion, kindness and love. However, there are others whose actions are out of alignment with what they say. All too excited to let us know scripture. Yet... there is a cavalier judgement and critcism to their thinking that just doesn't feel right to us.
Does this line intrigue you? Pull you in for more? The extended line that stopped me in my tracks reads, "though sometimes it is necessary to reteach a thing its loveliness..." This passage comes from the stunningly beautiful poem "Saint Francis and the Sow" by Galway Kinnell. Kinnell uses the metaphor of a bud's flowering to our inner journey of healing. Poets have always mesmerized me. They seamlessly dwell in the sacredness of life itself. They are true wordsmiths. Crafting and weaving words together in such a way that stirs our very souls.