Productivity

Thought I would share this beautiful quote from today's Daily OM- Allowing Our Children To Be. I was reminded by a classmate of mine that we can apply the principles of attachment parenting to how we parent ourselves!

Letting go in any area of life requires a deep trust in the universe, in the overall meaning and purpose of existence. Remembering that there is more to us and our children than meets the eye can help us practice nonattachment, even when we feel overwhelmed by concern and the desire to interfere. We are all souls making our way in the world and making our way, ultimately, back to the same source. This can be our mantra as we let our children go in peace and confidence.

At Toastmasters this morning, I was introduced to the idea that we all have a corporation inside of us. If that's the case, how do we lead the ship and get the various departments communicating effectively? How do we honor each part while also staying in our ultimate integrity? Some of the keys that come forward to help us make Self-honoring choices are trusting and allowing.

The next time you find yourself slipping into fear, doubt, or worry, I invite you to practice trusting the Universe, God, Spirit, or yourself. There are things you can do to build deeper self-trust:

• Practice making small Self-honoring choices.
  
  
  Exercise: next time you sit down to a meal, eat consciously and choose your nourishment carefully. Listen to what you really want. Listen to what each part of you really wants!
  
  
  
• Practice reframing the challenges as opportunities.
  
  
  Exercise: Write in your journal this evening about a challenging experience. What might you learn from it? What skills could you be building as a result of going through that? Will that experience add to your ability to be of service, fulfill your dream, or have compassion for others?
  
  
  
• Practice forgiving the past and affirming your new reality.
  
  
  Exercise: Think about one situation where you feel uncomfortable about your choices. Say outloud, "I forgive myself for judging myself as..." and fill in the blank. Focus on the forgiveness, not the judgment. Then affirm that you are doing the best you can. Really appreciate and acknowledge yourself!

"Trust yourself, then you will know how to live." - Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

“The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.” - Anna Quindlen

Resistance shows up on the path of the spiritual warrior. And one of the challenges I am facing now is the task of acknowledging the challenge I face. In USM, we say, “how you relate to the issue while you go through the issue, is the issue.” In my own words, this means: dealing with the challenge with grace and dignity is the bigger challenge inherent in having my “stuff” show up.

It’s been weeks since I’ve written on this site. In part that was a conscious choice to focus my attention on the other great work that I’ve created for myself.

The rest of it was old fashioned resistance. A part of me hesitates to share this with you. That voice wants to appear "expert"… in truth, it wants to be and appear perfect. Rather than run away at its first attempt to intimidate me, I’ve decided to run in the direction of the discomfort. You see, every time I’ve stepped outside of my comfort zone at the urging of my heart, I’ve been rewarded beyond the comprehension of the aforementioned smaller voice.

In fact, the greatest rewards I can count in my life have come from the beautiful awareness and learning that takes place right on the edge. It is often said in studies on creativity that masterful artists and problem solvers need to be challenged to the limits of their skills, and slightly beyond. By contrast, a novice potter would never be expected to throw a fifty pound vase, but instead might rise to the occasion of uncovering a form that perfectly fits her uniquely shaped hand for a coffee mug. The task must match the student in order to draw forth education and excellence.

I am grateful this evening to be back in the blogosphere. It represents to me another departure into the unknown. Who will read this? What will be whispered in my ear next? I acknowledge my friends at Toastmasters for their captivating speeches this evening, ten outstanding motivational and "tall tale" speeches given in competition. I happened to sit beside a nervous man who was preparing for his first competitive speech. In his anxiety, I found the thrill of reaching out, extending, expanding, and being willing to feign confidence when necessary. I partook of the endless cycle of giving and receiving; I was both inspired and inspiring, with my wholehearted support.

Forward movement creates positive momentum. Notice how doing and being with the things you love fills your heart with joy. There is power in upliftment. Take in the feedback presented to you. Learn to move through the difficulties and into the ultimate opportunity: this moment, this breath. What does it take to surrender into full engagement with what's present, until it’s no longer about analyzing or getting it right? What does it take to stop doing and start being? Might I suggest it takes nothing more than a choice, which you are offered in this very moment.