Funny changes are happening.
I was raised on “do more, try harder, and strive for the best.”
This ethic landed me in my health crisis.
Push… against whatever is in your way.
Be stoic.
Do not admit to being tired, exhausted, depleted.
Keep a stiff upper lip.
Do more.
Sleep less.
Success came from sacrifice, and forging ahead.
Then came the book “Lean In.”
What?
Really? Doing MORE is the answer?
I don’t think so.
I am going to wager that I know so.
My body does, anyways.
My mind may argue.
But that is its job.
I know now that “ease” is the new hard.
Flow is the new struggle.
“Rest” is the new “try harder.”
Knowing and practicing are two different things.
My body is leading my living right now.
My mind is sometimes ok with this new order.
But mostly, it is struggling in this lose-lose battle.
“Wise” is the new “strong.”
Fun is the new operative.
“Does it make me feel good?” is now the question.
Not
“Is it the right thing to do?”
“Will it earn me more money?
Impress those around me?”
Pleasing me may not always please or appease others.
This does not mean that I am mean.
It means that I am putting myself in the centre.
I am placing myself in the nucleus.
The centre radiates out.
I always saw limits as external obstacles to be pushed against.
I now see limits as welcome boundaries to be respected,
to be revered.
To be honoured.
Loved, even.
Deeply.
I used to push against my fatigue.
Now, I welcome the afternoon nap.
Going to bed before 10pm.
Sleeping nine hours.
Ten months ago, these were the demands from my body.
Now, these are my gifts to my body.
My way of showing respect.
“Replenishing” is my new “depleting.”
Forgoing is my new forging ahead.
Saying no is my new YES.
“Staying in” is my new celebration.
Learning to love more deeply from the place I am in.
Physically and emotionally.
Bowing towards the limit
is bowing towards myself.
Sky is the limit.
And so is the earth.
Ducit Amore 