A Year to clear what is holding you back by Stephanie Bennett Vogt
It is all about slowing down, taking time for yourself and establishing new habits that will last a lifetime.
Theme – Moving Forward
The focus this week has been to take stock of your progress.
In what ways have you changed as a result of receiving this course?
A direct result is that I make less lists. I was very guilty of being proactive in the list department and rubbish at actually clearing any of the things on it. I now tend to do things immediately if possible and if not then it goes on a specific date in the diary to be done that day. All the little things especially around the house mostly get done straight away unless I am in the middle of something else and then they are done as soon as possible after I have finished whatever I am doing.
I am still surprised at just how much can be achieved while waiting for the kettle to boil. Until now that has been down-time hanging about … now the time is used for a quick tidy-up or to clear any junk that has accumulated or to put back things my husband has been using and left lying about. Also, in the time it takes the kettle to boil I can load the dishwasher and clean the sides down, or put a load of washing on, or take the rubbish out. All little things that would have been on the ToDo list before starting this course.
In what ways do you feel more grounded in knowing that clearing is not a linear activity, but rather a journey to cultivate?
The first thing that springs to mind is that whatever way you move forward it must be in baby steps for it to make a lasting difference. Also, with emotional issues it is easier to see things clearly and rationally when viewed from a distance than when caught in the middle of whatever is going on. So, if it cannot be fixed or addressed immediately then trust things to time.
I am a great believer in Karma (Buddhist say that the sum of a person’s actions in this and previous existences will decide their fate) and that for all the good you do you will eventually be rewarded with something good but for all the bad you inflict then there will be consequences for you as a result of your actions. So, sometimes the best thing to do is to move-on steadily and wait for the outcomes. Easier said than done sometimes though.
There have been some really good suggestions that I have adopted as habits.
- When things enter my subconscious mind as soon as I am aware of them I mentally throw them on the floor out of reach, so they can’t crawl back. This I find especially helpful at night when settling for sleep. For me it works, and it works well.
- Before each new task I sit quietly and breathe deeply. It mentally clears my mind before going onto the next task.
- When worried I do the same breathing thing and repeat … It’s only weather (Lesson 39) and them mentally dismiss it.
- Sixty second Round-up (Lesson 95) … usually when the kettle is boiling. Blitz a spot that looks like a tornado has hit and clear it.
- Meditation … I do more quick meditations throughout the day rather than plan a longer session only to find I have not had the time (or I have not made enough time) to do it.
All these permanent changes to my life in just six months …
I can’t say I am any more content because that wasn’t an issue to start with, but I am more organised and prone to actually completing tasks, thus achieving more.
The BIG thing though is that I am progressively learning to not sweat-the-small-stuff and to throw more things on the floor I have no control over rather than brooding on them. That in turn does make my life happier.