Posts tagged ‘Changing your life’

August 6th, 2012

Acceptance Can Be a Female Dog

{flickr photo by: BrittneyBush}

I think one of the greatest obstacles we grapple with is learning how to accept what is instead of moaning and groaning about what we don’t have.

It’s like we’re sitting there one hand full of riches and the other hand open full of potential. But we don’t see it. Nope. We’re too focused on the fact that the other hand is empty and not filled yet.

“Why oh why is it not filled yet?,” we ask.

It causes us to transform back into our 2-year-old selves, throwing punches to the air, crying out for all the things we deserve to have, but don’t. Praying about how much we need it, how much better our lives would be with it. And there we are so focused on our poor, wounded souls that we neglect the jewels that fill us, surround us and already make us whole.

If you ever need to be reminded of that, check in with your nearest and dearest furry child. Notice how they seem utterly forgetful about all the mishaps you do. Analyze how a mere treat, a pet on the head or a cuddle could make them silly with joy. See how they seem to pass up the chance to moan about their loss sibling that you had to adopt them away from or the fact that they don’t have a mate, kids or even anyone that even slightly resembles them. They just move on.

Accepting your situation can feel hard. It can be like welcoming an uninvited guest or settling for less.

But it’s not.

Learning how to accept whatever you’re going through and wherever you are is a gift.

It’s about returning to a state of vulnerability in realizing you have less control over life than you think. And that is okay.

It’s about loosening your grip over the outcome and opening your heart up to possibility instead of forced intention.

It’s about seeing your life as a large red carpet unfolding in front of you instead of a predetermined path.

It’s about releasing the rigidity of adulthood that sometimes tricks us into believing we know everything.

It’s a lesson in gratitude for what you have instead of what you still haven’t received.

It’s a muscle being flexed to exercise resiliency.

It’s a reminder that the events of your life ebbs and flows like ocean waves. No matter what you’re going through it will not always be this way.

Yes acceptance can be a b$@&*. But it’s a friendly one. So be open to its riches.

July 13th, 2011

Day #1: Inspiring Myself

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Do you remember Bridget Jones’s Diary?

“Alcohol Units 6, Cigarettes 45, Husbands 0.”

This current attempt was inspired by the movie. But instead of dropping the alcohol, smokes and poundage, I’m on a path to inspire myself.

How?

By living a healthier, simpler, more meaningful life. Not as easy to calculate this one. But I’m going to try.

In addition to cutting sugar from my diet and eating more like my 5 year old rabbit, I’m also going to journal, do tai chi and meditate. Did I mention I’m going to try to do this daily?

As I write this I can feel myself hyperventilate. It’s not a small task. But a must if I’m going to heal myself and change my life.

I know we’re already 7 months into 2011, but everyone deserves a second chance. And no one needs it more than I. So much regret I have for nights I spent “drinking like a fish” as my cousin once described it. And scarfing down enough Ben & Jerry’s and slurpees to keep a classroom of kids hyper and jittery for a whole school year.

So I’m going to do it.

Anyone else want to join me?

It’s day #1 for me, but I’ve already cheated and started the program. So far, I’m realizing that before bed tai chi and evening meditation are both helping me to sleep. It’s getting myself to do it that’s hard.

So far I’ve already found ways to cheat.

Here’s your CliffsNotes cheat sheet. You know how they say, “hiking is just walking?” Well meditating is just sitting. And if sitting is too boring, lying in bed and visualizing a happy ending story to your life with your husband counts too. Be creative and the process could be a whole lot more fun.

*If you want to be part of the support group to meditate and write more, comment below. Lurkers and meditation wannabes welcome.