Saturday, January 17, 2015

Within/Without



This is my first blog post of 2015, and yes I have specific things I want to work on this year and every year.  Of course I always want to be a better dancer/choreographer and I continually try to become more proficient.  But the desire to be “better” and the ensuing action to make that real does not happen in a vacuum. 

Everything I do begins with my thought.  My thought produces a feeling and then I see my world through the “lens” of that feeling.  It is my choice what thoughts I want to nurture and what thoughts I need to surrender.

It amazes me when I think of all the time and energy I waste on wanting some situation to be different.  It is a form of self-torture.  I’d like to stop doing that to myself. 

So here are the major points of my meditation in the mornings:

1) With a feeling of trust, let go of everything I have no control over.

2) Whatever I choose to notice in my life (the wonderful and not-so-wonderful) is the lens through which I will interpret everything in my world.

I have come to understand that whatever situation I am confronted with, I actually have the power to change my lens and see it from another perspective. 
 
Now my key inner dialogue is: “Let go of whatever I can’t control” and “See what’s really good in my experience right now.”

Being a better dancer/choreographer can only come from my choosing not to worry and trusting that I will find my way. 

Here are some things I’ve learned that I hope to better internalize: 

I have learned that when inspiration is not forthcoming, it’s time to take a break.

I have learned that my children need to learn their own lessons.  I can certainly say what I believe, but then I must let go and trust that they know their own minds. They have their own path.

I have learned that not everyone is going to like me or what I do, and that it’s okay. It’s not personal. Conversely, when I don’t like someone, I can usually hold up a mirror and see that the person has triggered something in me that I need to address.

I have learned that when I choose to see my life through the lens of gratitude, more shows up in my life to be grateful for.

I have learned that love really is indestructible.

I have learned that my body has a lot of information to give me about my emotions.

I have learned that what I see and feel within me shows up in my world.  The more I love myself, the more love I see everywhere.  The more I bless my life, the more life seems to bless me.  The more joyful I feel, the more joy I see around me.  

The more I dance with life, the more I can trust that life leads me to my best self.

And I have learned that I will never stop dancing – which really makes me smile and feel even more gratitude.

Thank you for dancing with me.
Happy 2015!

Photo by MaryEllen Hendricks