... and Do It On Purpose
I remember standing at the top of the mountain, looking out over the jagged rocks to the curious terrain below. I remember the unique lighting of the setting sun punctuating the distant hazy shroud. I remember the awe of being in the presence of vast beauty with great perspective. I remember the rush of having reached the peak with scant minutes to spare; watching my boys excitedly explore all the nooks and crannies (and, as always, discover a new critter) while impatiently waiting for the last of the setting sun. I remember the quiet whispers of the people around me. This was too big to disturb. I remember the edginess of the choice to be here at this moment—while there would be other people descending the mountain with us after sunset, we didn’t know that on our ascent AND we didn’t personally have flashlights–we had just come upon this moment on a barely-informed whim and went for it. I remember the aliveness of making such a choice, feeling my fulfilled need for adventure pulsing electric and expansive through my heart and arms and setting my legs with grounded resolve.
Have you ever done that? Have you ever been in an experience and tried to remember
EVERY. SINGLE. DETAIL? Have you demanded an indelible imprint because you were certain you needed to live this moment again and again?
This is the power of APPLIED mindful living. Bringing this level of awareness and
PRESENCE to our life CHANGES EVERYTHING. Read More
The Four Tendencies
I used to pick on my father for never reading fiction. I told him to have more fun.
He told me there was just too much to know in this world.
I have become my father in this area.
And I usually have about 6 books I’m reading at any given moment.
So it was a fun little excursion to do some absolute “bubble gum” reading during my vacation travels! But because I am that multitasking reader, my reading also included: editing Creativity as a Life Path (Jan Groenemann’s new book for Inner Eye Life Coaching TM—you are going to love it!!)
AND
Continuing to read the book, The Four Tendencies, by Gretchen Rubin.
In this book, Rubin reveals 4 personality profiles based on what tends to motivate you best: internal or external expectations. I have been sharing this with some clients in recent weeks, and it’s consistently been met with a big AHA and a flurry of accomplishment!
In my case, I realize that I desperately wanted to have one personality type, but had the one I least wanted to own. It was kind of funny witnessing myself be disappointed that I was an Obliger, but while I was not a Questioner, at least I have some Rebel tendencies.
What does this all mean?
For starters, I have solid logic behind why some of the techniques I use to accomplish things and motivate myself have worked for me. In many ways, an Obliger can have a very hard time accomplishing things for themselves, and I am a happy, business owning and movement making Obliger.
I have also come to realize why the same techniques don’t necessarily work for my clients.
I understand that some personality types can be quite self-defeating
And I’ve come to understand that a moment of huge hurt in my life came from an Upholder that simply could not get out of their own way and accommodate changes in plans (one of their challenges, though wow, what could I accomplish if I were an Upholder, I keep asking myself!?).
But the other thing that came of my vacation reset + reading more of this book was the rush of energy I am feeling this week.
I am leaning more strongly into my block scheduling, but using the wisdom of my Obliger tendency combined with mindfulness to GET. THINGS. DONE.
I have created block to get the two things done that carry the most emotional burden. I’ve made that time fun and I’ve made it where I will show up to the expectation. And I’ve combined that with pausing and continuously choosing to feel the relief of the burden. There is a lightness that goes with this block, and that lightness was missing when I was in guilt, shame, and avoidance.
Mindfulness allows me to feel not just the heaviness, not just the lightness, but the difference between the two—that’s an even bigger feeling that is EVEN MORE motivational. That’s the reward for feeling both the challenge and the celebration deeply and in close proximity.
This is a busy post-vacation recovery week, AND I am GETTING THINGS DONE!
What are the heavy boulders that you are struggling against in work or life? What if there was a way through?
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the State of Ohio, E1901386
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