IMAGINE
I can’t imagine stopping. I can’t imagine a life where I conclude, “That’s me, done. Nowhere to go from here.” As if! Dude, I have so much to learn, just ask my husband, my siblings or my best friends. Ha ha.
But seriously, learning, growing, evolving is a huge part of who I am. It’s a part of all of us. It’s what we’re meant to do. I hate to break it to you, but there is no “done”. Choosing to heal is the way forward, the path to happiness and when we choose to evolve, we create the earth we want for our grandkids.
It’s not always easy, but it is always worth it.
BELIEVE
I believe that these days, there is no excuse.
Maybe in the ‘80s when going to a therapist would get you a side-eye, it was a bigger hurdle to seek help because back then you only sought out help from a shrink if something was really wrong with you. Newsflash. Nothing is wrong with you. (Hello trauma! Hello ACES! Hello just normal growing up with imperfect parents!) Like Kenny Chesney says in the song American Kids, we’re “a little messed up but we’re all alright.”
These days there are so many ways to learn how to heal and expand your self-awareness. We are information heavy! Shoot, you don’t even have to sift through the Google search results anymore. Throw that question into an AI and within thirty seconds you can have a fancy infographic with 10 steps to freedom. Information isn’t that special anymore, but witnessing the journey together sure is.
That’s the conversation. How’s your journey going?
How are you coping? Adapting? Letting go of what needs to be released? It is a constant joy and challenge, eh? For me personally, I am acing it in some areas and flunking out in others. Right now, this is what is working for me and I’d love to hear what’s working for you!
Meditation
Game-changer! If you have never done this, start with the Insight Timer app. There, my favorite beginner starting point is the Just for Today series by Tom Evans. These guided meditations are about 10 minutes and incredibly lovely.
Why is meditation so crucial? Well, it isn’t. Many folks live rich, deeply fulfilling lives without meditation, but chances are they do something that gives them space from all the noise. Fishing. Golfing. Hiking. Kayaking. Running. Even motorcycling in the woods can do the trick. What do you do to give your brain a chance to slow down?
Reading Books
Right now I’m reading Intrepid by Scott Perry. It’s kicking my ass into different actions because, whoa! Guilty. There’s nothing quite like a quick dopamine hit from cleaning up the ole email inbox. Useful, sure. Getting me closer to finishing the YA book? Not so much.
Most people spend their day doing everything except the hard part. They answer emails, attend meetings, organize their workspace-all while the hard part sits there, waiting, growing heavier with each hour of avoidance. By the end of the day, they’re exhausted. After all, they’ve been busy. They’ve checked things off their to-do list. But the hard part didn’t get done. Again.
Do the hard part first. Always. Ever day.
-Scott Perry, Intrepid
Reading is so cool. Go read. Give the social media a rest.
Listening to Worthy Teachers
I have my favorites. Doing dishes? It’s the Psychic Teachers. Thursday morning at 7:00 AM? I’m listening to Nancy Rebecca from Intuitive Mind on YouTube. In the garden? I love the folks from Flash of Beauty. (Yes, the bigfoot people. I believe.) The people I tend to follow never claim to know it all. There is no proselytizing of the ONE way to healing and growth and I love that. Who are your favorites for wisdom and inspiration?
Choosing to be authentically ME
I’ve been teased for being a ‘jock’ because my sporty preferences didn’t match up with the alternative vibe and I’ve also been called a ‘tourist’ because my appearance was regarded as too normal. Guess what!? Athletes can be spiritual too. Soldiers can be spiritual. Punk rockers can be spiritual.
The work is on the inside people! Some of the most spiritually evolved people I’ve encountered wear polo shirts and creased pants or ripped jeans and tank tops. Seriously. They’re hiding out as bankers, business leaders, bartenders and book authors.
I’ve learned that when I show up fully, as me, with all my questions about the universe and all my crazy experiences, I am usually in good company. People actually want to talk about it more than you think. Now that I’m no longer a public school employee, I’m going all in to talk about all the things! What are they going to do-fire me? I’m not hiding anymore and it feels amazing. I’m also not trying convince anyone that they should follow my path. Equally amazing!
Spending Time in Quality Community
Zoom has changed what is possible for community. I am a member of Story Summit and every week we learn, connect and grow together. For example, they have an “Early Birds/Night Owls” zoom room. I know it sounds weird, but it works. I get up, grab coffee and hop in. My friends are there, we don’t talk, we just write. Amazing. I have found a writing community at Story Summit I never dreamed was possible.
The other group that feeds my soul is the Inner Circle with Scott Perry. I didn’t even realize how much I craved and needed to be in community with like-minded souls trying to earn a living as solopreneurs with purpose. We all want to make a difference and the weekly conversations reflect the depth and integrity of the people gathered. It’s incredibly uplifting, inspiring and educational. I have a lot to learn, but I am in great company.
Locally, I am super excited a local group, Grit City Studio, who want to bring the film industry to Tacoma. They are hosting events downtown and it freaking rocks. I also have an incredible writer’s group through Tacoma SCBWI and we meet to do critiques, walk or socialize. I love connecting with my writer peeps in real life and building what we want here in T-town.
Giving Myself Grace, but Not So Much Grace that it Permits Inaction
I know where I am succeeding and I know where I am bleeding. See the quote above. The biggest focus for me right now is to do the hard thing first, every day. That means two hours of creative writing in the morning when my brain is most ready to do generative work. Emails, Social Media and even Substack must wait. Door closed. LFG!
DISCOVER
I’ve discovered there are many paths to growth, evolution and change. I’ve had spiritual moments in the mountains and at rock concerts. These days, we have endless tools, resources and ways we can connect with our soul to grow.
Unfurl!
There are many paths to the divine. Whatever you choose, keep growing. As my teacher at Naropa University once said “You are perfect as you are, and you have a lot of work to do.”
Sounds about right.
What about you? Where do you experience your spirituality? What practices do you have in your toolbox that help you grow? I’d love to hear about it.
xoxo
Shannon
I agree. Meditation is a game changer.
Thank you so much for the shout out for Intrepid, Shannon. And you did it in a callout box? Whoa. You made my week! ;)