Dear Reader,
A lot of people during these times are struggling to make more meaning in their lives. This week, I want to give you a tip that will have a profound impact, if you let it. In thinking about my own experience of the inner journey, and reflecting on what has made the biggest difference for my clients in making changes in their lives, one tip keeps coming back to me…
Be consistent.
Do a little something every day, whether you feel like it or not, that helps you explore your inner life and learn a little more about who you are.
And don’t just do it by rote, as one of many items on your to-do list. Make it a priority. Look forward to it. Be present. Make it a gemstone in your day that feeds you and sustains you afterward.
Whatever you choose doesn’t need to be big, or profound. For many years, when I was commuting by train from New York City (at 6a.m.) to work in New Jersey, I wrote a response to the prompt “Three words that describe me right now:” I listed the first three words that came to mind, and often the first word was “tired!” Sometimes I wrote a little bit more, but usually I just listed the three words. I did it every day. That one simple action helped me to become more fully present and connect with how I was feeling inside.
Every day.
The list of things you could do is practically endless, from journalling to meditating, singing or dancing, visualizing, or daydreaming (highly recommended!) You don’t need to climb a mountain or go on a ten day silent meditation retreat in order to gain insight into your true nature. Yes, there is absolutely a time and place for going big with your inner work. I have done my share of those things.
But all experience fades over time.
If you don’t keep the inner ball rolling in small ways, you miss an opportunity to fully integrate your insights, and worse, to lose track of why you started in the first place.
So, every day.
At first, you might think that you only need to go within once in a while, or only when you feel inspired, or just for a week or two. But you are always thinking, always feeling, always in motion, and always training your brain with the choices you make each day. You are continually building and strengthening neural pathways around those choices.
Which neural pathways will you choose to strengthen? The Facebook newsfeed neural pathways? Or the neural pathways of inner awareness?
Another way I enjoy going within on a regular basis is by asking questions. A few of my favorites include:
- Who am I?
- What do I love?
- What do I want to experience right now? This week? This year?
Questions are powerful, especially open-ended questions, because they engage your curiosity and free up your thinking. They lead you into creativity and insight.
Questions change lives.
I recommend that you choose some practice you can do on a regular basis to help you go within. You don’t even need to do the same thing every day, although there is great benefit in mindfully repeating the same practice over time.
In addition, remember that you can do more than one practice daily. Writing, gratitude, meditation and movement are my must-do activities every morning. Just don’t think that you have to spend hours doing inner work for it to be effective!
Keep it simple.
Start today.
If you’ve already done something to explore your inner life today – congratulations! If you’re stuck for a practice to try, go with the “Three words that describe me right now:” prompt, as soon as you finish reading this post. Another powerful prompt is “Three things I’m grateful for today:”
Whatever you choose – do it today, and again tomorrow.
Give it time, notice what starts to happen, and let me know how it goes!
I honor your loving heart,
John
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