Are you accustomed to, or even attached to, knowing HOW things happen? This scientific mindset is useful in some situations, but I’ve found that when it comes to imagining a different life, creating a different vision, and acting in ways that are new and perhaps uncomfortable at first, holding on to the need to know “how” actually holds us back.
I’ve been practicing holding a clear intention, keeping my energy open and flowing (by lots and lots of letting go of objects, obligations, guilt, and responsibility for other people’s reactions), AND consciously releasing my need to know how things would unfold. The results? More amazing than I could have ever planned myself. I dare you to see what happens when you play with this concept in your own life…
Ever notice the voice that plays in your head after something happens in your life?
You set a goal. You make it. What do you say to yourself?
You set a bigger goal. This time, you don’t make it. Now what do you say to yourself?
Are you setting goals that you know you can make, just so that you can avoid hearing what you’ll say to yourself if you don’t make it?
Without developing our tolerance for the risk of failure, we cannot stretch ourselves beyond the limits of what we’ve (a) accomplished in the past, or (b) been told by others that we’re capable of accomplishing. This mindset leaves us with only the possibilities that have come before, and limits our ability to imagine brand new possibilities that have yet to come.
Start by paying attention to and noticing what you say to yourself in response to the things that happen in your life. Find out how you’re motivating yourself, and imagine how this might change.
1. What delights you and brings you alive?
2. What breaks your heart?
3. What does healing look like?
4. What one life-affirming action will you do beautifully and consistently, with love?
These four questions, conceived by my Real Speaking teacher Gail Larsen, capture the process of life coaching and personal transformation. They go to the heart of our own truth, and call us to look with clear eyes at what is etched in our souls.
For most of us, there is at least one of these questions we’ve been avoiding for most of our lives. It could be any one of them. Perhaps we have not allowed ourselves to want what we want, to feel the joy of being fully alive. Or maybe we have masked ourselves with a facade of “perkiness” and images of “happiness” which belie the deep caverns of unexpressed pain in our hearts. Even if we have done the work of facing our deepest truths, we can get lost there if we never look beyond these current realities into a vision of what our lives could be. And finally, all the dreaming and scheming in the world is no substitute for taking actions which are aligned with the truths we have uncovered and pointed in the direction of our brightest visions. Continued…
Do you know what “NHRA” stands for? I learned this past weekend that it stands for National Hot Rod Association. That’s right. I went to see a national drag racing competition at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California. I learned a whole new vocabulary, from the different classes of race cars, to the type of fuel used by the pro cars. And talk about sounds that blew me away! Imagine a car that goes 300 miles per hour…that means 1/4 of a mile in just over 4 seconds!
If you saw my guest post today on kevinmd.com, you might be interested in joining me TONIGHT, Tuesday, July 20, at 6:00pm Pacific Time, for a free coaching call. It’s designed for medical students, residents, and fellows, because I want to start planting seeds in the early stages of training and mindset formation. But if you’re a practicing physician and have an interest in the subject of self-care, please join me!
Join me at the Cradle of Manifestation this August for a brand new offering, integrating the best practices of mind AND body so you can enter each week with clarity of intention AND action.
Check out my introductory video blog about the offering below. And if you’re ready to enroll, visit the registration page here.
Being open does not necessarily mean being open to absolutely everything. It may mean being open to the realization that you prefer NOT to do certain things. It’s part of the willingness to allow this realization to flow in and to learn to trust the truth of your own experience.
Dr. Lisa Chu, M.D., musician, former physician, entrepreneur, & founder of The Music Within Us, provides support and encouragement for adults seeking to live with more creativity and passion, and to experience greater inner peace, joy and freedom. Using proven methods and drawing from a wide range of training as well as her own journey [...]more →
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07/31/2010 Listen to a recording of Susanna Liller s interview with me on "Interview with a Heroine" series....read more...
07/31/2010 NEW class series added! IMPROVisE YOUR LIFE with Music Improvisation...read more...
