Do you check on the roots?

roots

If you are reading this, I suspect you live with intention.  If I asked:

What seeds have you planted for this leg of your life journey?

I suspect you would answer one or more of these questions with a yes:

Are you deep in business building or personal transformation?
Are you devoted to grandchildren or caring for your parents?
Are you giving special attention to your relationships?
Are you developing a talent through regular practice and training?

Whatever it is, I wonder how often:

  • you question if you really should be focusing your energy *here*
  • you worry about what isn’t getting your attention
  • you think your aren’t doing enough, getting *here* fast enough

If these sound familiar, then you have planted a seed and are checking on the roots, digging it up to see what’s happening below the surface.

Guess what? Plants don’t grow real well this way!

Neither to dreams and goals, those big visions we have. Today, and every day, consider adding a huge dose of trust in the process. You live with intention, remember?  You chose this focus after much evaluation and discernment. You set a plan in place and have been taking action steps that fit your goal. Today, take the next step. Celebrate completion. Smile. Rest. Tomorrow? Repeat!

If you must check on your progress, then put a date on your calendar for the next root check. Depending on your focus, that date might be 1 or 3, 6 or even 12 months down the road.  Then forget it!

What would a dose of trust do for you today?

What Do You Tolerate?

Tolerate: to endure or resist the action of without serious side effects or discomfort …

Okay. So we tolerate and nothing horrible seems to come of it. We tolerate too many to-do’s on the plate. We tolerate a job that doesn’t challenge us. We tolerate the nagging tooth pain because it isn’t convenient to go to the dentist right now. We tolerate clothes that don’t fit.

Take a few moments to browse the landscape of your life. Consider some or all of these general categories or replace them with others that are more meaningful to you:

  • Career or Education/Academics
  • Money (Job or Obsession with)
  • Primary Relationship
  • Family and other meaningful relationships
  • Physical Environment/Household
  • Spirituality, Personal Growth, Alone Time
  • Health/Exercise/Sleep
  • Creativity
  • Fun and Recreation
  • Social Life

For each, ponder:

What do I tolerate here?
What would shift “tolerating” to “nourishing” or “enjoyment” or “ecstasy”?
What am I willing to risk?

Soul Journey

What do you believe about a greater purpose for your life? Do you believe there is something beyond this physical plane of body, mind, emotion? What is the life force, the spirit, the soul of you?

Today’s tidbit is an invitation to ponder that “something more”. Use your own language, your own beliefs, what works for you. For me, I am comfortable believing that there is a life force, a soul journey, using me to experience this world and make a difference. Maybe you simply know that you want to make a difference with your life and find the word “soul” disconcerting. It is all okay!

However you describe the “something more” in your life, consider checking in with it today:

What is the greater purpose of my “soul”?
What does my soul need from me today?
How do my plans contradict my soul’s plan?
What does my soul want me to experience today?

Prejudice

airport-2

While traveling awhile back, I decided that I would walk through the airport, singing, smiling, and attempting to make eye contact with those passing by. Very few folks, men and women alike, do so. Most are staring into the distance or into electronic gadgets or, in response to noticing my gaze, immediately turn away. I continue, a bit saddened by our lack of connection.

Then I sit. Waiting for my plane, I notice the eyes of a man gazing at me. And I immediately divert my own eyes. What is that about?

Embarrassed at my reaction, I know that it is prejudice, fear, the idea that a man (as opposed to a woman) could hurt me or have bad intentions.

I feel like a sitting duck. Yet, minutes ago, I was walking through the airport subjecting others to my gaze, knowing that I had only “good” intentions.

I must ask myself:

  • In what ways do I make others uncomfortable?
  • Is my behavior rude, rather than a gift?
  • What about my own prejudices?
  • What part is wisdom and safety?
  • What is simply unfair prejudice toward a fellow human being?

I am continuing on my journey. I commit to remaining aware of my inner judgments. I commit to question them and release all that is in me which prevents me from being one with you at the center of my being.

What is your intention?

When You’re Paddling Upstream

Sometimes life seems as if we’re canoeing upstream without a paddle.  Everything seems hard. Rocks appear to block our path. No forward movement is made. Exhaustion and fear take hold.

Sound familiar? If so, I invite you to try a new perspective. Consider one of these:

Change streams
Do an about face
Switch boats
Portage your canoe
Set up camp
Notice that “it’s not your journey to make”

Which perspective offers freedom?