For the next several weeks we will explore the topic of authenticity. I will be sharing tidbits of my upcoming 10-week workshop series: Journey to Authenticity. Did you miss last weeks article? View it – here.
Why do we have setbacks in our lives? I find it often occurs when something in our life is out of balance, such as, when we need to slow down, make changes or pay attention. Setbacks can be the ‘wakeup call’ we need to really get our attention.
Many of us avoid taking good care of ourselves, we avoid issues or grief or pain. And instead, we choose to stay very busy. We avoid what needs attention by running around, watching TV, listening to the radio, time on the computer, texting, reading, cooking, working out, or never being alone. This doesn’t really work for us long-term. Clever marketing schemes also teach us to ‘fill the hole’ inside us with the acquisition of more and more material goods. Eventually this avoidance will catch up to us and can create a setback to make us pay attention.
Being still and looking deeply at what in our life is out of balance can feel scary. To stop the busyness, get quiet and be alone can mean feelings come up. Whatever we have pushed away, or stuffed down or avoided – shows up.
And that is a good thing by the way! Think of a pressure cooker. We need to take the lid off and allow the steam to escape. It takes a lot of energy to hold things in. Can you simply allow yourself some quiet time to reflect? With the busyness, the body is often in the fight or flight response and running on adrenalin. This stresses out the central nervous system that in turn creates anxiety, affects our immune system and can create a host of other problems. We are taught to chin, up, suck it up, that we cannot cry and to avoid our feelings. And that is exactly why I feel we have our setbacks… to get our attention, get us out of this toxic loop and help us get back on track.
Take some time for yourself and ask yourself a few questions:
Are there changes you have been avoiding?
Are there issues that require resolution?
Are you taking good care of yourself in the way you deserve?
Do you keep promising yourself that you will do certain things?
Take the time to honour yourself and your personal growth. Perhaps you can allow any setbacks be a guide to a greater awareness and to help create deeper meaning in your life.
“Happiness is not a matter of intensity
but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.”
-Thomas Merton
Does this serve as an enticing tidbit for you?…please join me on January 24 for the Journey to Authenticity 10-week life changing series.
Each week we have deep conversations as we explore the topic. We practice authenticity with amazing handouts that provide step by step support and guidance.