Resistance

I wrote last about recommitting to commitment. Commitment starts with an intention-a mental and emotional process- and then requires action to become real. As I work with staying committed I am next aware of resistance, not to the commitment, but to the action which gives life to my commitments.  I came 'face to face' with my resistance a couple of days ago. I was struggling to give time to finishing some web pages necessary for the re-launch of the CircleofSelf website.  I could not grasp what was holding me back.  Resistance.  I said out loud (always talking to myself) "If resistance had a face-maybe I could understand what's going on."  Scripture from a number of sources say: "Ask and you shall receive."

The next morning I had a chance to create the face of my own resistance as mask-making was the activity presented in a women's group of which I am a part.  I didn't want to make a mask of my resistance, but the image would not leave me alone, and so I gave in to it and literally created a mask of my resistance.  (Mask making is a great exploratory tool for revealing the more hidden parts of ourselves and trying on 'new faces' so to speak. Ever been in a Halloween costume and started to feel and act like the character you had put on? It's little scary how easy it can be to embody certain characters!)  I now have a visual of 'my resistance' created from my intuition and imagination . 

I will be working with this mask for a while and share anything I feel might be helpful.  At this point, I have become aware of a couple of things- I had earlier in my women's group created a mask made as a visual of my 'Calling'. When I had time to look at the two masks, I saw the 'resistance' mask had all the same visual representations of my 'Calling' mask, but presented in a very different way.  If you want to know more about getting in touch with your own life purpose-or what I experience a "Calling", (of which life-purpose is a part) you can find instructions on the CircleofSelf website, or check out chapter three in Marian Baker's book "Wake Up Inspired"  New Story Press, 2006.  In this chapter, Marian has created some comprehensive exercises specifically for getting in touch with your purpose.

Re-committing to Our Commitment

After my morning prayers, this is what came to my awareness: Commitment is not static it is a process.  Commit to recommit on an ongoing basis.  The commitment looks different every day and even in every moment.  What is consistent is the process of recommitting each time we get off track-get distracted from our calling.  This is the consistent part of our life journey: coming back again and again to our commitment to our calling.

Daily Inspirational Reading

One of the suggested practices to cultivate in the Circle of Self Program is the practice of a Daily Inspirational Reading. The practice goes like this:
1) Select a source for your daily reading: a book, a calendar or web-based source (there is a list of suggestions on the circle of self website: http://www.circleofself.com/The source should offer reading material in that takes under two minutes to read. 
2) Commit to a time of day for your reading--choosing a time that is easiest for you to create the habit.  In the morning seems best for  most people--while brushing your teeth, when you turn on the computer for the day, in the privy while you take your daily constitutional...the choices are pretty much endless.  The key is to create a routine. 
3) The resulting effect of this practice is that the mind orients itself in a more positive mode.  It also gives the  mind something to focus on during the day and can be a great support for breaking ruminating thoughts and negative thinking patterns.

I was reminded of the effect of this practice in my own life this past week. I lost the current book I was using for my daily reading (An Altar in the World, by Barbara Brown Taylor).  I took it with me on my vacation last week and must left it laying somewhere.  I actually didn't notice I had left it for a few days because I was having a really good time and also out of my usual routine.  When I returned home, I was already out of my reading habit, and after a few days, I found myself more short-tempered and judgmental and more negative. Clients have also commented on the effectiveness of this practice for short-circuiting their negative thinking patterns, inspiring creativity and keeping them motivated.

Muse Energy

In Albert Brooks 1999 Movie "The Muse" the 'heroine' Sarah, played by Sharon Stone, is the catalyst for change in the lives of anyone who intentionally or inadvertently invites her presence in their life. With historical origins in Greek Mythology, a MUSE asks questions, shares tidbits of knowledge, makes observations, invites serendipity, and opens doors to new opportunities, new ways of seeing things, new universes, ultimately furthering the development of the humans with whom she interacted. I think of Muse Energy as the energy through which creativity, movement, growth and change can more easily be facilitated.


This blog serves as a MUSE for anyone participating in the journey of life-check it out regularly for ideas, information, opportunities and observations which-just might be the catalyst for your next movement-stay tuned. And if you haven't seen "The Muse" check it out on the next rainy day or quiet night. You just might be inspired...



www.circleofself.com