Are you waiting your life away for the inspiration?

I have just read this great piece on something that has been on my mind a lot. A lot of the times in life, when you have to tackle something you are kind of avoiding, something that seems difficult, we often put it off and wait for some sort of sign or inspiration or the right time to start.

We wait for a lesson, a sign, a message- to show us the right direction, to tackle the issue. Something to get us started, for the HOWS to be shown.

But the inspiration may never come. I think it's time to face that the time to start is now, without the inspiration, or we may wait forever and it will be too late before we know it.
Your green light is Now.

http://rekanoemie.blogspot.com/2010/09/take-leap-of-faith.html

Do you respect your decisions?

I have not been a big decision-maker but lately I have made a few decisions. Many of them though once made, even if not exactly broken, go unnoticed or are not respected. I find myself at a place where once the decision is made, I start procrastinating, or even revoking it, trying to see if I can change my mind.
I get undecided after the decision is made.
And it's not like I take making a decision lightly, I don't rush into things, I will carefully weigh pros and cons before I decide.

What about you? Do you relate? What helps you keep your decisions?

I think that once we have given something careful thought, and a decision is made, we owe it to ourselves to respect it.

Trust yourself, that even if you have not foreseen the whole path, you have made a step and have faith that you knew what is right for you.

Be comfortable with what you like!

When you have a hobby, you are passionate about doing something, it's easy to get perfectionistic about it, or think about external approval or the others' reaction.

Creativity stems from letting go of perfectionism and looking for external approval. It's when you let go of these creativity dampeners that your true nature can surface.

Make an experiment and try to welcome mistakes, imperfections, see where it leads you.

If you like wearing it, it won't matter who else likes it, the comfort of being true to yourself will shine through!

Luckily my workplace is a wonderful accepting environment, with an atmosphere that nourishes your true self in my opinion. And I will be damned if I let -is this right enough, is this good enough- stop me from writing when I feel really at peace and a true desire and urge to write, to write all the time during the day, to others to myself...

Do what you like, without being hung up on whether it's good enough. It is, because it's you.

Come to think of it, the need to be approved and fit in with everyone is exactly what kills originality and uniqueness. Trust your own taste and don't go with the flow!

this morning's bus ride

This morning while thinking of continuing the appreciation list exercise, I thought of November 1, and everyone who is not here anymore, everyone who has contributed to my life, loved me, and gave me so much. Then thinking of my father, and grandmother who was a huge part of my life, I started thinking about genes and all the good aspects I have inherited from my mother and father. This again, is a very positive exercise, to think of your parents' good personality traits and the ones you have inherited, you will realise you are just the right eclectic mix! Think of what you deem your good qualities and think of each one where you have it from, is it in your genes or perhaps your education somewhere someone in the family taught you or gave you that gift. You can go on thanking those who are not here anymore for their contribution in creating you. And don't forget to honor and say thank you to those who are here and can hear you.

self-limiting categories

Think twice about putting yourself in categories and labeling yourself. I am like this, I am a ...

I have done this the other day and interestingly enough, a voice came up in my head asking me, wait a minute, who says that, why? And so what if you have been so far , you can change that any time you decide.

If you believe you belong to a certain category you will think and behave in a way that helps you confirm that you are right and you will continue to be stuck in that direction and in the same pattern.

You can think yourself in a new direction, by being careful with those labels you have used in the past, self-limiting beliefs that could prevent you from moving forward. Challenge the voice when it comes up: I am what I am.

Your thoughts are the key

When you are looking for a solution, think about changing your attitude, not your cirumstances!

Your way of thinking is the only obstacle. When you align your thoughts to work for you, you have the power to create lasting changes no matter the circumstaces.

There's no reality, it's all in your mind. Your thoughts make your circumstances.

It has become natural to be unnatural

Maison Martin Margiela's design

What would happen if for a day we would say what we feel and do what we want?

When exactly has it become natural to be unnatural, to pretend, to fake and to play games? Sometimes it seems to me I am part of a big theatre.... and I have trouble joining in the wicked games. :)

When do we even ever tell the truth? Where in the process has authenticity and sincerety lost its value?

It's like we are afraid of being authentic and saying the truth. We do everything to protect the facade, for fear of giving ourselves, our true feelings/thoughts away! We tiptoe around, waiting for the others' reaction and build the game and the lies on and on...."Just don't let them see how you truly feel..." I hear often.
It's hard to keep up with that. We become experts at acting, fooling everyone.

We lose ourselves in the process.

What can happen if they find out the truth about how you feel.

morning ride

this Sunday's love

going to work in the am by bus is not necessarily my favorite part of the day. Working in shifts though gives me the chance not to get too down about it. On my way to work, I started doing an interesting exercise without noticing at first. I switched my focus and started listing things I am grateful for, - first about why it's actually not so bad to work in the morning. Then the affirmations moved on to other areas, and I went on with my list of appreciation.

I think it's a morning or anytime of the day ritual we can all adopt. It allows you to immediately shift your focus from what makes you unhappy to everything you are happy for and appreciate. And the positive frame of mind if a great way to start the day. Remember that the list can include seemingly mundane, not so important things that make you happy, but so often these are actually really significant that go unnoticed or are taken for granted. That your body and energy carries you to work and allows you to enjoy activities for instance is amazing! You have so much going for you!

Be for, rather than fight against

When you want to create a positive change in your life, or adopt a new habit, I think it's essential that you don't fight against an old habit, don't push against an already existing negative habit.
We tend to think that if we push hard enough, we force ourselves and struggle enough, we will get there.
We struggle to avoid, instead of trying to create!

I think it's the change in your attitude, which is about acceptance, permission, kindness to yourself, and being for something positive, looking for the positive change that is going to accomplish!

Acceptance and understanding of the present circumstances is the way to start. What has gotten you here and why. Don't be angry with yourself for being here with the problem, rather try to be your own friend and be accepting and comforting toward your inner child.

Then try to visualise a positive image change, and try to put it into words in a positive way. Instead of saying and thinking: I desperately need to give up smoking because..... and list all sorts of ways that are not truly your own heart's wishes.... try to make that decision your internal true wish, and put the goal into a positive mind-frame. It will be wonderful to be smoke-free because...and list positive changes you will enjoy.

We think it's criticism, non-acceptance and fighting against ourselves that will lead us onto the desired change. But perhaps it's the other way around.
Always be for something, instead of pushing against.

This moment is your time

Don't wait for tomorrow to be happy, or you will spend your life waiting... to be happy when/if something happens. This is it, the time will never be better for you to be happy.

“You overlook what is already ‘here’ as you chase after ‘there’; you miss the ‘sacred now’ as you ponder your ‘next step’; you forget to be grateful for what ‘is’ as you prey after ‘more’. You search, struggle, and strive, but you never arrive because you can’t get past the thought that something is missing.” — Robert Holden