Although I am probably once of the most disciplined people you’ll ever meet, I’ve been digging deep into Atomic Habits book written by James Clear all thanks to the amazing podcast Unlocking Us with Brené Brown.
I am learning about myself that while I hold myself at super high standards when it comes to my work and my exercise, I definitely avoid the things that seem scary, hard or vulnerable. For years and years I held back on doing things that would cause me to be seen more and I often make a millions excuses in my head as to why it is better to just sit back. I opt for the easier way out when it comes to the scary things that I want to do, but always make excuses for.
No more. I am committed to making small consistent changes that will help me become the type of person I want to be.
Since I have chosen my word of the year to be DELIBERATE, I am pulling my shoulders back and looking some of these things straight in the eye. I know that with consistent habits, I can maybe the changes where I become the identity of the hat I am striving for. I mean, I lost 80 pounds and totally changed my life with consistent habits that created an amazing lifestyle so I KNOW I can do this.
I was once terrified of becoming a yoga teacher and healthy person. In many ways it was much easier to complain about the things I wished were different than actually getting my little self busy on making some changes.
Every action you take is a vote for the person you want to become.
I know I can do this. You can, too! If you are already wondering how or why that resolution or goal isn’t working for you, I highly recommended reading Atomic Habits and go listen to the Unlocking Us Podcast.
Be ready to be amazed and scared all at the same time. And don’t ever feel like you are alone on this journey, because I am right here being amazed and scared with you!
I have chosen a word–or an intention–for my year for the last seventeen years. I have come to believe that this word becomes the thread that gets woven into the tapestry of our lives. Every year I marvel at how the word shows up or how the intention asks me to be pay attention in ways that I may have otherwise missed.
Choosing a word has always been easy for me. I typically start to feel a ruminating happen around mid-December as the current year begins to close up. I start to review the experiences that I have had throughout the year, purging what no longer serves me and making space for new things that will. I carefully choose what I want to hold onto and release the rest.
It occurred to me this morning that the last three years intentions have been very active, strong, even forceful at times in their feel. The past three years I have been on a mission of incredibly hard work, proving to myself I am beyond capable, establishing myself being a successful entrepreneur, healing from horrific pain, pushing through my limits and identifying false beliefs…basic badass mentality for at least three years.
No more.
Truth is I am exhausted. I am tired of the push. Although I had the best financial year of my life, my body paid a price. The success of last year was awesome. The people I met, the lives I helped change, the excitement of building an amazing business and solid reputation was by far one of the best feelings that I have ever had. But I hurt and I am depleted.
Being a full time yoga teacher may seem glamorous but the reality is, it is incredibly challenging. The energy and intention that is required to show up and hold space for others takes a tremendous amount of presence. Add to that, a yoga teacher doesn’t exactly make a ton of money, so in order to be successful, you have to teach many classes. That pressure combined with being the sole person responsible for a disabled adult child has been an incredible load. But, I did it. I built an incredible foundation to my business and I have a solid flow of goodness.
Earlier this fall I got the news I have been part avoiding and part dreading. After fifteen years of being followed by rheumatology for chronic pain, fibromyalgia and other vague auto-immune symptoms, I received the diagnosis of lupus. It was one of many pebbles that were thrown at me over the last few years in an attempt to get my attention. This was a big pebble and it definitely got my attention.
As I entered into this year I decided no more power words for me. I am moving out of the fire-filled solar plexus energy where action and “doing” exist and I am now moving up into the heart space. It is here that the breath is spacious and full and the energy is softer. The heart space is a bridge to just pause. To just be. To breathe. And as I do this, I can feel the shift coming to a glorious softening.
I chose the word REVERENCE for 2020. Reverence to me means to regard or treat with a deep respect and honor. I want reverence to be woven into every action I take. I want to be reverent towards my body, my students, my family, my people, my neighbors, my community, my planet. I also believe that being a reverent business women means that I infuse a new energy into being an entrepreneur. It means that my business model has shifted from a dynamic that is motivated by profits that are generated by serving others, to a dynamic of serving others that is made possible by profits.
When I choose a word, I post it in as many places as I can and I choose to make it part of my everyday life. This year I even made up a blend of essential oils, flowers and crystals to wear everyday.
In my blend I have included the following:
arborvitae (peace and grace)
birch (feeling supported)
black pepper (authentic)
cardamom (respect)
cassia (feeling valued)
copaiba (inner guidance and integrity)
douglas fir (respect and wisdom)
frankincense (truth and discernment)
hinoki (feeling balanced)
patchouli (body connection)
magnolia (compassion)
lime (gratitude)
pink pepper (compassion)
roman chamomile (guided)
rose (loving kindness)
spikenard (grateful)
vetiver (presence)
Rose flower buds (love, respect, devotion)
rose quartz (love and compassion, heart chakra)
I loaded all of these into a gloriously large 30ml roller bottle. My favorite 30ml bottles are here. I apply this to my heart everyday and along my wrists to grab a smell anytime I need to come back to reverence.
Have you chosen a word for 2020? I would love to hear from you what you have chosen to create.
Have you ever spent time looking at a flower that is about to bloom? The rose that is still tight in a bud? The daisy that is closed and not yet in full happiness mode? Whichever flower you have gazed at has spent months growing into what was about to happen. Day after day this amazing form of life kept the course of growth, never wavering despite the external elements.
Here we are halfway through the year and if you are like me, you might be thinking about that intention you set back in January. You know, when the year felt fresh and new? And yet, it was during the heart of winter you were thinking about growing your goals and dreams.
Here we are in the start of the growing season and it is a great time to look at your intention again and see if some of those seeds you planted in the dormant season have started to take shape into small shoots of growth. Seeing the beginnings of growth is a great motivator to keep going because in time, the bloom will come.
For me, I am reviewing all of my goals; business goals and personal goals. I am looking at the areas in my life that I have succeeded, and areas that I have developed some gaps, and how I can fill them in.
As I plan to teach the concept of blooming this month I am going to return to nature time and time again to be both marveled and motivated.
Do you have a wellness goal? A lifestyle goal? Well, if you do this is a GREAT article to keep you motivated and headed in the direction your dreams will take you. You have to know your WHY, whether it is related to your wellness goals, lifestyle goals or financial goals.
Sitting down and really thinking about your WHY is so important! It is also so insightful to what motivates you.
For example, my wellness why is so that I can be of service to others and continue to change lives–so I take care of my mind, body and spirit daily to ensure I am at my best. This includes eating well, good sleep, plenty of water, exercise and of course essential oils.
My lifestyle why is so that I am an example to others, including my family. I want my boys to see that I gave life my all and that they have the power to do the same. I want them to be inspired and make choices that support their lives, too.
My financial why is to create safety and a stable life for myself and my girl. My goals are also to make sure that when I am gone my boys have the financial resources they need (and more) to help take care of their sister.
