What was I thinking?
I participated in The Best of 2009 Challenge for seven days–yes, for a whopping seven days. I felt stressed and out of sorts.
I asked myself, “Lee, what the heck are you doing?”
This question came to me when I was standing in the shower. I just burst out laughing. Talk about an “impulse purchase.” I was walking down an isle of “could be fun things to do” and I bought into the challenge of writing 31 blog posts in December. Everyone is doing it–I should too. It didn’t matter what the cost was; I just bought it.
It was an out-of-body decision with a high cost. I easily and thoughtlessly threw out the intentions that I set at the beginning of 2009. My core intention is to live mindfully with balance and connect with the women that I care about.
Distractions Derail
I got derailed. It so derailed me that I went off into a never-never land–and I stopped writing my blog for a month. Now that serious derailment and is not aligned with my heart.
Here’s what sneaky distractions can say to me. Maybe they sound familiar to you too.
- It looks like fun.
- This won’t take much time.
- If she can do it, I can too.
- To heck with my plan…I’ve got to be open to possibilities.
- You “should” do this.
- The “big people” in blogging do this, then I better get on the bandwagon too.
- This is more important that what you’ve got planned.
- What’s the big deal? One thing; one tiny thing.
The “S” word–should–might be the sneakiest and most cunning strategy of all. How many times does the word should come into your mind–both inner conversation and outside conversation? Notice this one–it’s actually fear in disguise. Fear that you might not be doing it right enough, someone might not like you, or you might not be running with the cool people. Whatever it is, don’t fall for it. Throw out the shoulds–I know this is difficult, but you can do it! Shoulds support themselves and get all juiced up when they can manipulated you (and me). Being controlled by should doesn’t support your health, your truth or your happiness. Only you do that. Stay in touch with you–you are smart, shoulds are not!
A Little Wiser Now & Next Time
The greatest gift I got out of this detour was a serious reminder to keep in touch with my heart and my intentions and my knowing about me. I mindfully and prayerfully spent time with my annual intentions. They are driven from a deep commitment to make a different in women’s lives.
If the voice of distraction, the opportunity to be derailed, or the thoughts of taking a detour come your way, put the brakes on! Think. Be quiet. Take time. And go back to you heart, the core of your life or your business, check with your intentions–and then carefully determine why this “thing” is so seductive. Ask yourself if this pull (activity, purchase, food, blog, etc.) really–I mean really–fits into your real vision, your real purpose or your real intention for you life. You know.
Trust yourself–you’ve got a great “knower.” That’s my takeaway!
“You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you’ll discover will be wonderful. What you’ll discover is yourself.” ~ Alan Alda
Blessings, Lee
