Welcome to my day, Dear Creator –
You remind me that this world has available to me what I need, what sings to my soul, and what fills my heart. The wonder and mystery is that it’s not necessarily what I think I need, or in a manner I think it has to arrive. But, there is an abundance, beauty, joy, and peace all around me. Love fills this World. I do not lack; I do not suffer.
Of course, sometimes I think I do; I tell myself I do, until I’m convinced. I think that’s pretty normal – because, at a certain level of consciousness, we are aware of a lack or scarcity in our immediate reality. And, our old friend, lizard brain, shouts the panic alarm.
It’s like when we dive underwater. Suddenly, there’s no air to breathe. When learning to swim, this can terrify us. Then, we learn we can manage it, and allow ourselves the wonderful experience of swimming underwater, opening a whole new world.
Or, the child in the store who loses sight of her parents, and panics, thinking she is lost, and has been forgotten and left behind. None of those thoughts are true, and her parents are still right there; but, her panic is real.
Or me, thinking I was tired and drained; searching, contemplating regret and “home.” I suffered yesterday morning, thinking I was too tired, that I didn’t have enough time to write, and that I didn’t know what to write. In my reality, I was conscious of lack and suffering, and my lizard was chirping.
Then I surrendered. I opened up and saw (was guided to see) how I was dodging an area of vulnerability, and how it was self-sabotaging. I was constructing my own limiting beliefs and restrictions, and those imaginary fences were the only thing holding me back and creating the tension that I was defining as suffering.
To put it more simply – the minute I stopped telling myself how tired I was and how hard it would be to write my Morning Pages with anything of value, and I just opened my mind and heart to My Guides and started writing; they were right there, helping. And, my writing flowed, and voicing and releasing my toxic thoughts and fears around vulnerability and “good enough” broke the spell of fatigue and low energy.
That’s what I mean when describing plugging into The Flow. I bet it’s different things for different people. For me, it’s writing without analyzing and overthinking. It’s doodling. Going for a run, and suddenly reaching a state where I feel like I’m gliding. Sometimes, it’s meditation.
For some people, it’s listening to music, maybe while cleaning or organizing, even. Or, driving or hiking; painting or sculpting. Maybe gardening or dancing. Time with a child, or pet.
There’s a well that gets tapped. People get there in lots of different ways. But, it has the phenomena of bending time; re-energizing us; tapping into our creative spirit, both mentally and physically; and re-filling our sense of wholeness and love.
So, here’s the thing –
First – Figure out what does that for you. What do you do that fills you with joy? Makes you smile when you just think about it? What you can do for hours, and it feels like time stands still?
2 – Give yourself permission to do those things. Regularly. Daily, even. Let’s be honest – how often do you deny yourself these activities that recharge you, fill you up, and bring you the most joy.
We tell ourselves we don’t deserve them, or we haven’t earned them. We tell ourselves other tasks, and other people’s happiness, have to come first.
But, when we feel empty, frustrated, and unfulfilled, we bring less than our best to give. When you recharge and refill your heart and soul, you have so much more to give!
3 – Schedule Your Thing. Make time in your day for Your Joy. Watch how you feel, when you have Your Thing to look forward to. When you make the promise and commitment to yourself to practice this self-care and self-love.
4 – Keep Your Date! Honor your appointment with yourself like you would a doctor’s appointment for a loved one. Non-negotiable.
My coaching friend Jeannine uses the analogy of the oxygen mask scenario on an airplane. In the case of an emergency, when the oxygen masks drop, you need to put yours on before you try to help anyone else. It’s not selfish. It’s the best, most practical way to care for everybody.
There’s another aspect to all of this – self-empowerment. When you make the effort to understand what fills you up, makes you curious, and brings you joy; and, you choose it for yourself – you are no longer just waiting for life to happen to you.
Let’s Live Our Joy, to Live in Joy, and Live Joyfully. Thanks, Creator!
P.S. A Conversation on Fear and Regret. I need to hear from you. Contact me to let me know You’re In!
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