For those of you who follow my blog, you know that I’ve been experiencing some unique opportunities in my life. These opportunities are challenging me to surrender and trust during times of uncertainty. And recently uncertainty really ramped up….oi!
My husband unexpectedly lost his job in December. During the past 8 weeks, he’s been really soul searching. (I’m so inspired by his ability to be calm and focused.) In that soul searching, he decided that looking for another job in another company was out. Instead, he came to the conclusion that it’s time for him to create a financial consulting business. He’s spend many years working in loan workout, turn-around consulting and financial management. He is well positioned to start his own business.
As I look back on the past several years, I am amazed at all the choices we’ve made which provided the means to seize this opportunity. In 2000, we made a conscious choice to simplify and move into a smaller home with a smaller mortgage. This process really forced us to choose what’s important to keep as we lost a sizable amount of space. (Not to mention all the walk in closets!) Since then, we’ve also made a conscious choice to pay down debt. Over the years, we’ve simplified gift buying, entertainment, vacations, etc. And the truth is we’ve never felt the changes in a negative way. Even now with our bare bones budget, life still feels abundant.
I think one of the reasons we feel abundant is we’ve paid attention to cultivating what is important in life. We paid attention to our values and incorporated behaviors that supported our needs. We’ve created relationships with family and friends that are fulfilling and supportive. (most of the time!) And we’ve paid attention and acted on the nudges to simply our lives. At the time, there weren’t obvious reasons why we chose to simply. We just felt the nudges and acted on them. I’m so glad we did! All the changes we’ve made in the past several years have positioned us to be well prepared for my husband’s job loss.
As for the uncertainty about everything, well that’s my newest opportunity for growth….yikes. Stay tuned!
It’s amazing that it’s so common to lack confidence in ourselves, especially doing what we are born to express. This video expertly captures this statement. I’m not particularly a fan of opera and still this video blew me away.
In the past few years I have been very loose about sending Christmas cards. So I am very delighted that I still receive so many. One friend in particular mentioned she sent out her cards early in December. I was surprised I didn’t receive one from her as I know she wouldn’t care if I sent one to her. And I was careful not to create a story about not getting one (e.g., Did I do something wrong? Is she upset with me? blah, blah, blah…) and just chalked it up to a “mystery.” Imagine my surprise when I received her card on 1/6/09 after it was post marked 12/5/08 (she lives close). I thought it strange that it didn’t arrive for a month. The beauty, however, was the message really stood out coming after the holidays. See for yourselves. Here it is, “The Greatest Gift” by Kathy Davis Designs.
“May we break boundaries, tear down walls, and build on the foundation of goodness inside each of us. May we look past differences, gain understanding, and embrace acceptance. May we reach out to each other, rather that resist. May we be better stewards of the earth, protecting, nurturing, and replenishing the beauties of nature. May we practice gratitude for all we have, rather than complain about our needs. May we seek cures for the sick, help for the hungry, and love for the lonely. May we share our talents, give our time, and teach our children. May we hold hope for the future very tenderly in our hearts and do all we can to build for bright tomorrows.
And may we love with our whole hearts, for that’s the only way to love.”
I live in the Detroit, Michigan area. This area has been experiencing economic stress for at least a couple years now. In addition, the recent auto industry financial crisis has shaken most residents of this area to their core. If the domestic auto industry fails, the truth is it will likely take Detroit down with it…. and who knows the greater impact that will have on the country as a whole. And at the moment, I know of five individuals in my immediately family alone who have lost their jobs (my husband is one of them), is on indefinite lay off, or has seen the writing on the wall and have taken buy outs. I’m not sharing this information to create fear. I’m sharing this information because it’s real and requires creative ways to deal with the situation. I’d like to share what I’ve done to assist me in staying positive. And staying positive is more important than ever before.
I avoid the news. I avoid newspaper and magazine articles about doom and gloom. I avoid news on television and radio. All these mediums sell a product called fear…I refuse to participate in that. Instead, I choose to participate in inspiring radio shows, movies, music and print. If I’m going to stay positive, then I choose positive sources of entertainment and happenings in the world.
We’ve created a personal sanctuary in our home and by doing so have a space that provides a respite, a source of rejuvenation and renewal to be our best.
I’ve chosen to focus on being grateful for all the things in my life that are amazing. And I do this regularly. Before I fall asleep at night I offer thanks to my loved ones, my community, my spiritual support team, etc.
I created an altar to remind me to surrender and trust in the process. I light my candle every day and allow myself to let go of being in control….even if it’s only for brief moments of time.
I’ve reached out to my immense support team….my family, my friends, my neighbors, my Interior Alignment™ community, my amazing teachers . I can’t begin to tell you how loved I feel by all of them.
To stay centered and calm, I’ve used these techniques from a previous post and continue to exercise regularly. I’ve also watched my intake of any source of sugar as it can cause emotional mood swings.
Often, I’ll make a point to spend some time in nature….even a walk in the local park.
On a regular basis, I make connection with my giggle peeps. I am fortunate to have a handful people in my life that make me laugh…they are a godsend!
These are just a few examples that have made a huge difference for me. And did I mention I focus on being grateful for all the things that are amazing in my life?! I just can’t stress that one enough!
I ran across these words from a woman named Dalry Jones and was struck by their the simplicity and inherent beauty. “Know Yourself, Be Yourself, Learn how to live in Harmony….with yourself and the world around you.”
At the beginning of each new year, I pick a theme to explore for the purposes of evolving myself. I do this because my own life becomes richer and more fulfilling and to inspire others to do the same. Also, my own journey and experience becomes a large “tool kit” in which to draw on when assisting others in my work as the owner of Creating Sanctuary.
Some of the examples of the past have been: embracing all parts of myself, be willing to resolve conflict as lovingly as possible, accepting others differences, balancing out my emotional highs and lows, and so on.
After reading the words of Dalry Jones, I am clear my theme for 2009 is to know myself even more, to accept myself at even deeper levels, and to live in harmony with myself and the world around me. I hold a vision of doing so with grace, ease and joy. Please support me (in whatever way appropriate) in my quest to embody these traits.
