Readings by Jody

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“Success means doing the best we can with what we have. Success is the doing, not the getting; in the trying, not the triumph. Success is a personal standard, reaching for the highest that is in us, becoming all that we can be.” ~ Zig Ziglar

It’s a warm Sunday afternoon.  The breeze by the lake quickly disappears as we wander into the forest.  Under the canopy of trees, it’s cool though.  With a bounce in our step, we begin our ascent toward the most picturesque view in the park. 

{…the easy moments on our path toward success…}

Some rocks to climb on, a large hawk flying overhead, a few other fellow journeyer’s on this hike.

The Climb

A turn and we are moving upward.  The forest begins to give way to a steep upward climb — a climb highlighted by large boulders and open skies.  A narrow path leads upward, large stone steps.  We curve back and forth, slowly getting higher and higher.

{…the success journey often has moments where it becomes an uphill climb…}

We pause, replenish our bodies with water.  We pause, and reflect back down to where we have come.  We pause, and take in that moment — seeing where we have reached to.  A look forward, and we see continued steps, no end in sight.

{…when we stop on our success journey, we give ourselves time to reflect and re-focus…}

The climb continues.  We are hot, our legs not wanting to take that next step.  We continue on.  It’s easy to think about what the view will look like once we’ve reached the top.  What about each step along the way, though?  We notice the trees growing out of the rocks.  We notice a chipmunk near another tree.  We see that hawk again, this time much closer.  We see the rocks — all these rocks.…

{…success is in the whole journey, not just some perceived peak…}

We reach the top.  Surrounded now by foliage, and no majestic view in sight — there is still this sense of joy, of accomplishment, of bliss.  Even though we fully expect that our journey (on this path) is not reached, we still savor the accomplishment of the climb we have made.  A glance back, at these steps we’ve just climbed…a smile…a knowing that we have persevered, a knowing that we did not back down from the challenge of this climb.

{…take time to savor the path you have traveled, and the steps you have taken to get where you are…}

The Summit

We continue on, the path now much easier.  Soon we reach a gorgeous rocky overlook.  For many minutes, we just explore the area…climbing, sitting, walking.  Others are here also — a stopping place to take in the amazing views. 

{…soak in the success that you have created…}

The Journey Continues

Our journey doesn’t end, though.  We cannot stay here forever.  We move on, working our way back down a different path.  Many people are coming up, to see that view we saw.  We offer encouraging words here and there. 

{…share your knowledge with others, so they may too experience their own success…}

We reach the trail head, our bodies sill warmed up from this hike.  The nearby lake is calling out.  It’s time to play, to splash, to have some unstructured fun! 

{…take time to rejuvenate and have some extra fun…}

Later on that day, we again explore another trail.  This time, we take a wrong turn, and soon find ourselves in the middle of the forest, no trail in sight.  We wander, looking for the trail we had started on.  Eventually we find that trail.

{…sometimes you will get off track.  That’s okay.  Take time to adjust your bearings.  And remember, also, that these off-track adventures often lead to new discoveries…}

We return home, our day filled with memories, and with all sorts of moments we’ll treasure.

{…wherever your journey takes you, remember that this is YOUR journey.  Savor what you are creating…}

Note:  This story was developed from actual moments spent together as a family at one of Wisconsin’s true treasures — Devil’s Lake State Park.  If your journey ever brings you through central Wisconsin, a day (or longer) at this park is joy and fun all wrapped up together!

Is there such a thing as true silence? Incarnate in the world, probably not. In the most secluded, pristine corner of nature there are sounds, as pleasant as they may be. In deepest meditation, we may still hear our breath or bloodstream. Life pulses and makes sounds. Worse is all the noise of machines and technology. Even worse is the noise pollution we’re bombarded with from media, and the noise that’s in our own head.

This doesn’t mean silence has no value or we shouldn’t aspire to it. Silence is a remarkable counterbalance, one that’s vital for us to cultivate with the understanding that silence doesn’t have to be ‘silent’ to be effective and life restoring. Silence is really an orientation. It’s an inner hub, and flows through all activity, engagement and stillness as long as it’s cultivated.

The problem with the various kinds of noise we have to contend with around the clock is that they separate us from what is whole, true and beautiful in us. Noise keeps us off kilter. It doesn’t allow our naturalness to be, to inform our life. Noise pushes us to keep doing more. Not in a healthy, creative and productive way, but for the sake of doing alone. We do and do until we no longer are, until we walk away from ourselves.

There are many ways silence can touch us. Reading a book is one, especially if it’s poetry like haiku or some other short form. Sitting in nature without any objective. Taking a bath. Listening to quality, inspirational music. Yes, listening. Mindfully. Listening to your own heart. Not it’s beat, although that’s affirming too, but listening to its guidance and perspective. Preparing a meal, consciously, slow food style. Eating consciously, without too much talking. Sleeping in a hammock.

Meditation is of course a primary way to touch silence. Here we notice how unquiet the mind is. It’s constantly churning. Churning and churning, to what effect?

The mind can be quieted. Everything we have at our disposal to lessen the noise is useful. We have to fins ways to be the silence. Otherwise the noise swallows us up and we can’t hear ourselves, each other, life, or the numinous and the mystery. We have to be able to hear the mystery, for as Lewis Hyde says, “The passage into mystery always refreshes.”

Find the hub of silence within that refreshes.

There is an inner silence and an outer silence and a silence that transcends inner and outer, a silence of the breath and a silence of the body, a silence in the absence of words and a silence when the world is quiet, a silence where there is no sound and a silence that can be heard, and there is a silence that is a passage to emptiness, a silence of the mind in which there is no thought. There is a silence which is a response, a silence which is a truer witness than words. — Ralph Davis

Related:

Silence
Silence… again
Anchoring silence

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“The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure ” ~ Joseph Campbell

How are you choosing to live?  More than the work you do, more than the things you have — what are the experiences in your life that make you feel fully alive?

The Experiences of Life

Life is a series of moments.  Strung together, these moments are the life we are living.  Many of these moments are simply ordinary moments.

Eating dinner.  Sleeping.  Watching a movie.  Cleaning the house.  Driving to work.  Etc. Etc.

And perhaps these moments feel just that way — “ordinary”.  Especially those which we repeatedly do.

How do we make even these seemingly ordinary and daily moments come more fully to life?

The Adventures That Stimulate Our Lives

Stepping out of the comfort zone we’re living in is such a powerful way to re-energize our senses.  And in energizing our senses, even the most basic of daily routines can become new again.

The photo above, is of my wife, Lora — just before she headed out on the track at the Milwaukee Mile to race in a stock car (a very awesome and cool experience!).  In early June, she completed twelve laps in the Home Depot #20 car — being able to feel the exhilaration of racing, of speed, of cornering, of getting outside of the norm.

Note: If you’re having trouble seeing the short (and slightly humorous) video, click here.

Being outside of the norm, this moment in itself was filled with much excitement and with the sense of doing something new.

It’s so much more than that, though. 

This moment is just that — a moment in time of this life we are living. 

…just a moment…

Perhaps, though, that moment is one which somehow changes us.  See, we are not the same person we were.  We’ve had this experience (whatever that is).  And from that experience, if we choose to let it be not just the experience itself, but something more…

…something more…

The experience of being alive, of being in that moment — of feeling (really feeling) a sense of connectedness to self, to possibility, to “being”.

What Can Be

Then maybe, just maybe, we can be more fully in the simplest of moments in our lives.

Aware of the textures of the foods we eat, the feeling the grass between our toes, the watching of the stars and feeling like part of something so much bigger.…

This experience of being alive, of not just going through the motions…it is possible.  And it does not have to be just one-time flirts with experiences.  It is possible even in the simple moments of our days.  It is, when we choose to honor the self within and experience the moment. 

Experience the Moment

This is a tough one.  Oh, maybe in those exhilarating moments (like the race car), we are in that moment.  What about all of our moments, though?

It would be a lie for me to say that I’m really (and fully) experiencing every moment of my days.  And I’m sure it’s that way for you, too. 

We get rushed.  We get distracted.  We zone out.  And many more.  Many more things which keep us from being fully alive to the experience of the moment.

So, this is not something that we’re going to wave a magic wand at, and suddenly we’ll be so alive in every moment. (hmmm…doesn’t work that way, I guess)

Small steps.  Small steps in the direction of being more fully awakened to the moments of your day.

The Challenge

Pick something.  It can be anything really — as long as it’s a regular part of your life.  Breakfast could be a good one.  Or brushing your teeth.  Or driving to work.   Something you do regularly.

Okay — now actively choose to be more aware during whatever thing you have chosen. 

Aware of the sights, the sounds, the smells, the tastes, the feel — really, all that can be in that moment. 

And in this awareness, let that feeling of being in that experience (as simple as it might seem) awaken you even more fully to the experience of living this life of yours.

Reiki practitioners face a double challenge: the credibility of Reiki practice and the credibility of the practitioner.

Credibility is an obvious concern for Reiki professionals, but it is salient for all practitioners. We want to feel proud of our practice, and we want to share it with others.

Clearly, meeting the credibility challenge is good for your self-respect. If you are a Reiki professional, being credible is also good for business.

But the benefits of meeting the credibility challenge extend much further. Being a credible Reiki practitioner is a service to the practice, and to the community of practitioners who value a thoughtful, credible approach to Reiki--the kind of approach that helps the person on the street take a second look at what Reiki practice might offer him and his family.

Let's explore what it takes to exude Reiki credibility. Here are four aspects to start the conversation.

What's Your Reiki Experience?

Nothing establishes credibility like years of experience and a long list of accomplishments. Additionally, years of daily Reiki self-treatment and clinical practice bring a depth of confidence and clarity that can't be faked.

But even a Reiki beginner can be a credible Reiki beginner. Just be upfront about your level of experience, tone down the enthusiasm so as not to overwhelm anyone, and have a seasoned mentor you can turn to as needed.

Can You Stick with the Reiki Facts?

Credible practitioners share accurate, factual information and document their sources. Folk tales are not credible, unless of course you are an expert in folk literature, and then you not only tell the story, you trace its history, etc. Many Reiki myths and folk tales have been circulated as fact.

How can you tell what is credible information in this unregulated, non-academic field? This is admittedly a challenge, and I started Campaign for Credible Reiki to help the community address it. If you have a question, click here to ask it.

Being credible doesn't mean having all the answers. You build credibility when you admit that you don’t know the answer to a question, promise to find out, and then follow through with your promise.

Do You Model the Gifts of Reiki Practice?

An even temperament is essential for establishing credibility. If you doubt it, consider the last time you were impressed by 2-year-old tantrums or teenage drama.

A credible practitioner is more than respectful of questions and other perspectives; she welcomes and anticipates them.

A credible Reiki practitioner shares credible information so that people can make informed choices; she doesn't persuade the listener or sell the practice.

Can You Hear Me Now?

Good listening skills are essential to establishing credibility. Not only do people need to feel heard, but also, when we listen, our understanding is deepened by what we learn from others.

When we truly listen to others, we learn what matters to them, which is important if we want to serve them. We also learn how we are perceived, which is important if we want to serve more people like them.

The best practitioners and teachers are perennial students of their practice and of their community. Keep listening to the people you serve, and they will keep teaching you how best to serve them.

Scroll down to the comment section to share what you look for in a credible Reiki practitioner.

The TALKING REIKI: Communication series is designed to improve your effectiveness, credibility, and comfort when talking about Reiki, and you can access the recordings online anytime you want, as many times as you want. Click here to  learn more.

Do You Have What It Takes to Be Reiki Credible? is a post from: reikiinmedicine.org

Have you ever wondered, what is it we send when we "send Reiki?"

Surely it's not Reiki itself. No matter where we might want to send it, isn't Reiki already there? Isn't Reiki every place all the time, all-pervasive and unending?

How can we send something somewhere when it is everywhere all the time? That doesn't make sense.

Reiki, mystery, and common sense

Making sense doesn't matter to everyone. Some have accused me of over-thinking, of trying to take the mystery out of Reiki. But there is a difference between mystery and foolishness.

Contemplating what we are doing doesn't remove the mystery. If anything, it makes us more aware of how much we don't know. And of how foolish our pat phrases about Reiki are.

If we don't think about what we are doing when we "send Reiki," we imagine little Reiki bits emanating from our hands and going where they're told. Is that what you think is happening?

I don't.

What are we sending when we "send Reiki?"

What if Reiki is the ultimate Oneness, the all-pervasive beingness from which the world as we know it manifests and into which all manifestation dissolves.

Then what do we send when we send Reiki?

We offer the Reiki connection, that mysterious something that increases our awareness of our own intrinsic Reiki-ness. And that changes everything.

What do you think? Does this fit your contemplated practice experience? Scroll down to leave a comment.

Looking for help speaking credibly about Reiki? Click here for limited special webinar offer.

What If Reiki Is Already There? is a post from: reikiinmedicine.org

By Mary Jaksch

How we can change our brain

It is fascinating to see the brain’s plasticity and that, by practicing meditation, we can play an active role in changing the brain and can increase our well-being and quality of life.

Awareness is a key aspect of meditation

What if you were screening out most of your experience?

What is your attention default?

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Click here to Download your FREE eBook Overcome Everything

A guest post by Scott McIntyre of Vivid Ways

The great omission in American life is solitude; not loneliness, for this is an alienation that thrives most in the midst of crowds, but that zone of time and space, free from the outside pressures, which is the incubator of the spirit. ~ Marya Mannes, US author

With external pressures on us ever increasing in this fast paced, 24 hour, interconnected world, we are craving a sense of balance and sureness that we are in charge of our own lives. Otherwise we can feel overwhelmed and overloaded by outside influences.

Today, as never before, we need to find solitude.

Like an emotional and spiritual thermostat, being alone gives us the ability to shape and adjust our lives. It can teach us how to have inner strength and enables us to satisfy our own needs, rather than having to rely on others.

But we’ve become reluctant and wary of seeking out solitude because of our fear of loneliness.

the shadow of loneliness

When most people think of solitude, they automatically imagine the bitter pain of loneliness. To many, the concept of ‘aloneness’ evokes our deepest fears of abandonment and lack of belonging.

Loneliness, however, is not simply a case of being alone – we can be surrounded by crowds of people and still feel lonely – but rather it is the belief that no one cares about what happens to us. It is the distressing realization that we lack close and meaningful contact with others which, in turn, produces feelings of being isolated from them.

It is this basic need to avoid being lonely that pushes us to create countless connections around ourselves. Our computers and cell phones reassure us by providing the tools to stay constantly in touch with each other. Yet these technological props only distract us from listening to our internal voice and increasing our sense of self awareness.

This obsession with staying connected to the outside means we are forgetting how to get in contact with our inner selves.

So why seek solitude?

Unlike the negative state of loneliness, solitude is the positive and constructive experience of engagement with oneself. Solitude is refreshing, a time of being on your own where you voluntarily retreat from the company of other people.

Solitude is being alone without feeling lonely. The difference is in our attitude towards ourself. In solitude we enjoy spending time alone, because we know that we are all the company we need.

Solitude can be used to gain fresh perspectives that allow us to appreciate those things that actually matter. Learning to be at ease in your own company is a skill you can develop which will be of great help throughout your life.

I believe that solitude is a key ingredient to a healthy sense of self. It provides us with a dedicated time to discover and to get to know ourselves better. By repositioning ourselves at the centre of our own lives, we feel that we are back in charge, rather than being buffeted by external forces.

preparing for solitude

Unfortunately, very few of us can just ‘go’ into solitude – albeit briefly – without some preparation. We have other people and commitments to consider before we are able to arrange quality alone time. Here are a few things you might need to think about if you decide to give solitude a try:

• readying your mind
  At first, the notion of being all alone can make you feel a little nervous and uncomfortable. If so, take a moment to ask yourself why this is. It’s helpful to think through the issues you have with being in your own company before you try to create a time of solitude. But don’t let these doubts stop you from going ahead with your plans – you can use your alone time to work through these issues.
• deciding your time
  Hopefully you already have some ‘me time’ built into your life, even if it’s just for a few hours every so often. The exact length of time you need really depends on your own situation, but it’s important to organize a dedicated period rather than just hoping you can grab a few hours here and there. As for how long is necessary, the more quality time you can set aside the better, though one hour is better than nothing at all. The crucial factor is how you spend your time in solitude, not the duration of minutes.
• choosing your location
  To minimise everyday distractions, it is useful – where possible – to get away from your usual living environment. If you do decide to remain at home or in your own garden, you need to be sure that you can go uninterrupted and undisturbed for a reasonable period. Alternatively, you might visit your local park or forest. What matters is that you find somewhere you can experience meaningful alone time, rather than having to go to a place with no one else around for miles.
• telling other people
  The idea of us wanting to spend some time in solitude can be alarming to the central people in our lives if we suddenly announce our intentions. Partners, for example, can feel hurt and threatened if you declare a need for your own space – even if only for a short while. They may take it personally and wonder what it is they’ve done wrong to drive you away. It helps if you’ve previously discussed each other’s views on what it means to be apart and to do your own thing in the context of your own relationship.

how to spend your time in solitude

Of course, you can simply ‘go with the flow’ and do whatever you want, but you’ll get the most out of your precious moments alone if you have a rough plan of things you want to achieve. There are a few activities you can try during your time in solitude that will help improve your self knowledge:

• meditation
  The quietness that comes with solitude provides the perfect backdrop for meditation. This is an ideal way to revitalize our understanding of what makes us who we are. With regular meditation comes the ability to bring a degree of clarity and insight into our lives. Here are some simple tips on how to start meditating.
• deep thinking
  Strategic thinking lends itself well to periods of solitude. It’s not an easy technique to master, but it is a valuable skill to practice. One way of trying it for yourself is to take a problem and then play around with it in your mind. The aim is to dig deeper into your thoughts that are bubbling below the surface. Go beyond the initial solution you hit upon and come up with the next few possible solutions. Put the problem to the back of your mind and go back to it later, when you repeat the process again. By doing this, you can be reassured that you’ve done your best to get to the heart of the issue and have confidence your answer is well considered.
• creative thoughts
  Our creativity comes out when we are in contemplation. We need peace and quiet time to work out solutions, to have ‘Eureka’ moments, and to devise original ways to do tasks. Most earth-shattering discoveries have been made by the solo scientist or when great minds have been alone. You can use your time in solitude to brainstorm ideas as the starting point to unleashing your creativity. Be bold with your thoughts – there’s no one else around to dismiss them.
• get closer to nature
  Throughout the ages, humans have escaped from the constraints of society to commune with nature. There is a solitary happiness in appreciating the natural world close up. Do you remember the joy (perhaps fear!) you had when you first saw a bee close up as a child? You’ve probably lost that feeling of amazement in adulthood. Use your solitude to really study the world around you. Touch the grass, smell the flowers, watch the clouds. You’ll soon begin to get a renewed sense of your place in the world. Going for a walk in nature is another great way to connect with ourselves. You can find out how to use walking as an exercise in self awareness here.

If you’ve never purposefully spent quality time on your own, you’ll be surprised at how beneficial it can be to helping you reconnect with yourself – and the world around.

What are your experiences of finding yourself in solitude? How do you spend quality time alone?

Please let me know your thoughts in the comments section.

Scott McIntyre writes about how to live a colorful life at his blog Vivid Ways.

By Mary Jaksch

Starting a habit can be a struggle. It can feel like pushing water uphill. Because there is an inbuilt inertia within all of us that resists change – even if we know it’s good for us.

But it’s not only inertia we struggle with when we develop new habits – we often secretly sabotage our attempts to implement new, healthy habits. The sabotage is secret because it’s often subconscious. The good news is that once you bring the sabotage out into the open, you can let go of unskillful thoughts, and start supporting your new habits.

The way we tend to sabotage new habits is through habitual thought-patterns that disrupt our efforts. Here are five kind of unskillful thoughts that tend to sabotage creating new habits – as well as ways to re-frame thoughts so that they support change.

1. “It won’t work …”

Whenever we attempt something new there is doubt in the mind. We wonder, “Can I do it?” And not only do we experience doubt,  fear also creeps in. Fear makes the mind think in terms of black and white, so we tend to think of winning or failing, and don’t consider incremental change. “It won’t work …” is a message that closes off all possibility of change.

Re-frame the thought to: “I’ll learn something new…”

2. “It’s too late …”

There are a lot of variations of this thought. It could be “I’m too old”, or “I’m too weak”, or “I’m too sick”, or “I’ve missed my chance”, and so on. For example, quite a few people emailed me to ask if it’s now too late to take part in the 8-Week Fitness Challenge. Of course it’s not too late! You can join at any time and just make it a 7-week, 5-week, or 1-week challenge! It’s never too late to change. Every moment is a new opportunity to live life differently.

Re-frame the thought:  “I’ll give it a try…”

3. “I’m a … so I just can’t do it …”

This is a thought pattern we all fall into – often without noticing it. It has to do with ingrained judgments about ourselves. For example, in the comments to Want to Be Fit – or Even Ultra-Fit? one person called himself a ‘couch potato’.  That kind of negative labeling undercuts all efforts to change.

I fall into this trap too. I recently noticed that I tend to say to people, “I’m not really a runner…”, despite the fact that I’ve done three uphill runs this week. Actually, a runner is someone who runs – even it its only for 30 seconds at a time.

Reframe the thought: “I can learn to do it …”

4. “I’ll do it another time …”

I’m sure we all know this one! It’s a great way to evade a challenge. “I’m too busy right now …”, or “I’ll do it next year…” these are ways our mind sabotages the opportunity to change. In fact, there is only right now.

Reframe the thought: “Now would be a good time to start …”

5. I’ve failed, so I’ll give up now …”

In every attempt to engender a new habit, there are moments when we fail. For example, if you want to get fitter or lose weight, at some stage you’ll succumb to a slice of chocolate cake, or watch TV instead of going for an evening walk.

The key is to get back on track – without a backward glance. Because what really saps energy is if you beat yourself up about a moment of weakness.

Reframe the thought: “To get back on track, my next step is …”

How to train the mind

• Become aware of your thoughts: Remember that you are in charge of your mind. You have the choice to use unskillful -, or skillful thoughts. A simple way to train the mind is to wear a rubber band or elastic bracelet on your wrist. Every time you notice an unskillful thought, change the elastic band over to the other wrist.
• Be kind to yourself : You will fare best if you are kind but firm with yourself. It’s like being your own loving parent. Encourage yourself when the going gets tough with: “You can do it!” or “Just a little bit more!”
• Treat change as an experiment:  If you treat the development of new habits as an experiment, everything is of interest – including your little failures, or your unskillful thoughts.
• Start a ‘change journal’ that documents your path: Include your thoughts, emotions, insights, and observations. The process of journaling will help you to see the big picture of your journey of change.
• Use the spirit of adventure: An adventure is a journey into the unknown. If you remind yourself that change is an adventure, you’ll be more likely to ride difficulties, and still stay on track.
• Join a group of like-minded people: The 8-week Fitness Challenge has taught me the value of being accountable not only to myself, but also to others who have the same aspiration. I think everyone who has joined the Challenge (and has posted on the forum) feels inspired and strengthened by the supportive presence of others. If you would like to join, write a comment on Want to be Fit – or Even Ultra-Fit?and then join the Forum (the link is up in the navigation bar).

When you start noticing your mind’s attempt to sabotage the change you long for, you’ll find that negative thoughts crumble away once they are bathed in the clear light of awareness. In time, you’ll be able to re-train your mind in order to support and enhance change. The more you use skillful -, instead of unskillful thoughts, the more you’ll forge new positive pathways in your brain.

Please use the suggestions above in a spirit of experiment. What happens when you notice and change a thought? What kind of thoughts work best for you? Have you noticed other ways that you tend to sabotage change? Do you have some tips? Please share in the comments.

___________________________________________________________________________

Together with Leo Babauta, Mary runs the A-List Blogger Club, an ongoing training for bloggers that members rave about:

6 months ago my blog and writing was nowhere. Enter the A-List Blogger Club. Since then I’ve gotten guest posts on big sites (including on Zen Habits), totally rebranded and simplified my site, have begun making money from affiliate sales, launched an ebook, and today my subscriber numbers are over 1,500! When I joined I was at 120. So thank you. You are making dreams come true. – Scott Dinsmore: ‘Reading For Your Success’.

Tip: the A-List Blogger Club will close the doors in 3 days time until the end of the year. If you’re keen, get in quick.

photo credit: t3hWIT

"There are very few monsters who warrant the fear we have of them." ~ Andre Gide

The Story

In September, I had the opportunity to spend several days in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, in Colorado.  The scenery from my quaint bed and breakfast was magnificent!  Still…it is one thing to stop and view our amazing earth, and another altogether in becoming one with that earth.

The Devil's Backbone Open Space – a hiking/biking area was just outside the door of this little B&B.  The owner shared with me that this is all accessible near the back of their property.  On a trip I'm on all by myself, I wander out through the back yard and locate a trail that is part of the Devil's Backbone hiking area.  Perfect!  I just have to walk through some long prairie grass (and a partial trail) to get there.  Off I go, on a beautiful autumn evening in Colorado. 

I walk about fifty feet, and stop.  Stop, to check out a sound I hear just to my left.  The prairie grass is sparse but long, so I bend over to get a better look. 

What is that rattling sound, anyway?

I bend over a little further to see what's there.  (this would be a great place for you to really question my brilliance…)

Rattlesnake.  Less than two feet from me (mostly from my face, because I've bent over to get a better look)

Or, perhaps I should say:  "Rattlesnake!!!!"

Are there some things that just scare you, for no particular reason at all?

I probably did exactly what you shouldn't do.  In a moment of panic, alone in this wilderness…

…

I ran.

I ran as fast as I could (see, I knew that marathon training would pay off!!), watching my feet, and where they stepped, the whole way back to the driveway at the back of the B&B.

The Fears We Have

Have I ever had a negative experience with a snake before?  No. 

So, while this was a very real fear, in that moment  – it's not really that different from the perceived fears we have, also. (the monsters we think are out there)

In the case of the snake, my thinking was "I don't want to get bit!" and "Why is he doing that?". (I am obviously not a snake expert…)

In the case of our perceived fears, it's:

"I'll look like a fool."

"What happens if I fall on my face?" (literally or figuratively)

"It's such a crazy idea."

"I'm not good enough to do this."

…or any of the other fear statements we might make to ourselves. 

I have.

Have you? 

And have you let fear stand in the way of trying something?  Or perhaps, have you started something, and reverted back at the first sign of fear?  (much like seeing that snake was for me)

The Second Part of the Story

"You will come to a place where the streets are not marked. Some windows are lighted. But mostly they’re darked. A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin! Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in? How much can you lose? How much can you win?" ~ Dr. Seuss

Having seen this snake (or – call it a monster), I was unsure about going back out and exploring this magnificent country right outside my back door (or – call it your bliss).  Every step I took, I took with care, unsure of what might be lurking in the weeds. 

A couple of days later, I ventured back into The Devils Backbone Open Space.  I chose a different path this time, one that was fully a path.  Still, starting out down that path, that fear was there (I knew what I had encountered just two days earlier).  I was uneasy, uncomfortable, unsure.  Still, I kept moving forward.

Forward…and toward amazing scenery that I was now within!

Back to Daily Life

How about you?  Are there things you are perhaps missing out on…fear holding you back from taking those steps into the direction of your dreams?

Or maybe you've been trekking down that path toward your bliss, only to be setback by having some fear come up (what are the monsters that hold you back?).

Wherever you are on this path of your life, whatever you are facing today…believe in the possibility of YOU!

YOU…are AMAZING!!  Believe that always…

You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)

Kid, you’ll move mountains!
So…be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ale Van Allen O’Shea, you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!

~ Dr. Seuss

Your mountain IS out there…for each of you!!   When you move beyond those fears, with courage, toward your bliss – you shine your amazing light out into the world.  What a gift that is!!

Shine YOU…YOU in all your technicolor beauty…out into the world!

Final note:  The first question my kids asked me upon hearing this story:  "Dad, did you get a picture?"  I'm sure you can guess the answer…