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The Talking Head

We human beings are beautiful, multi-faceted, complex organisms. Yet, often we navigate life using only our heads. We think, plan and reason our way through the events of our lives. We can talk ourselves into or out of just about anything.  As a “talking head”, we miss out on the information and delight from our five senses: sight, sound, taste, touch, smell. We miss the richness from depth of emotion – both joy and pain. We miss the intuitive hits that are ever present but missed when we block the channel to our intuition. We miss all the signs from the Universe, invitations to co-create with Life, when we are living in our heads.

In what situations do you act like a talking head?
What would life from your “whole being” offer?

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Why ask for help?

All too often, we hesitate, we try first to “do it ourselves”. We say “No, thank you.” when the clerk in the store says, “May I help you?”  or our arms are full and someone says, “May I open the door?”. Or, we know we can’t complete everything well but we refuse to ask for help. Each of us has our own reasons for refusing help so “why we don’t” isn’t the focus here. Rather:

Why should we ask for help? 

Consider:

  • it will give “them” a chance to be of service
  • “it” will get done better and more easefully
  • “we” might strike up a conversation as “you” are helping me and I might actually help you in the process!
  • what else?

Today, practice asking for help – over and over and over. Practice again tomorrow. Continue your practice and mark your calendar for 21 days down the road. At that time, consider:

What does asking for help feel like now?
What, if anything, would prevent me from asking now?

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Do you listen to yourself?

No one will listen to us until we listen to ourselves. Marianne Williamson

Today is the last of 7 days without anyone else in my home. My husband has been away and I have chosen many hours of sacred quiet without people, phone calls, television. I’ve reminded myself of the concept of Sabbath, of stopping work and letting it be.

And I’ve been listening to my emotions, the energy flowing in my body when I rise, when I finish an activity, during time with people and in the sacred quiet afterwards. I am learning – learning about Jeanne and what really delights her soul, empowers and energizes her, what makes her tick.

What I most notice is this: when I pause long enough to hear the message in my body, emotion, spirit and soul, I find acceptance, understanding, and appreciation for this woman who goes by the name, Jeanne. I discover very little need to be heard, to tell my story, because I am listening.

What will you find when you stop and listen?
What if you never stop?
What will be possible once you do?

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I Get To!

I have written on this topic before yet it is so powerful that I feel compelled to share again in this moment. A few days ago, if found that I was resisting the “task” of my year-end/year-ahead review and visioning. I was dreading it! Yet, I committed to you that I would complete the process and that today, March 2, 2014, would be the day.

The day is here. And my attitude is, I GET TO! What a difference attitude makes! What changed for me? For one thing, I talked about my resistance with my support team. They pointed me toward what might feel really good about the process. Definitely helped! Talking about it also made me aware of an old block in me: taking time for this very personal experience – something “just for me” – felt selfish, like something I didn’t have time for. Yes – you heard me! And I would be the first person to suggest that YOU take time for YOU, right?

So today, I get to. And I choose to cherish every moment. I know that, if I were to complete this task from an attitude and energy space filled with selfish, or I have to, it wouldn’t serve me at all. Yet from I get to, anything is possible!

What are you facing from I HAVE TO?
What is on your list that fills you with resistance?
What shift in you would help?

 

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Growth Spurt

I shared with a friend that I am going through a growth spurt. In a physical growth spurt, favorite jeans become flood pants and long sleeves reveal the forearm. The outer covering gets tight and uncomfortable and must be shed. Sometimes we replace it with a lookalike! Other times, this growth is an opportunity to try a new style.

Now, I am 54 years old and done growing taller. And, no, I am not growing wider by the day! But I am growing inside, reconfiguring thoughts, emotions, and the ideas that give meaning to my life. And I am saying “Yes!” to new and different activities, challenges, opportunities. In the process, I find myself letting go of long practiced habits (even the healthy self-care practices that have supported my journey) and activities and trying new ones. And it is SO exciting! Who will I be when I grow up? (NOTE: I actually don’t plan to ever stop growing!)

What about you?

When was the last time you allowed yourself a growth spurt?
What is too tight?
What is too short?
What is calling your name?