Day 159/366 days Towards Self-Mastery.
How we live is a reflection of our acculturation. You could think of that as our conditioning.
It's a reflection of our family values, our society's values, the values of those we hold as role models coupled with the meaning we have made of all of that. That meaning informs our way of doing things, our way of living in the world.
Currently we are looking deeply at our acculturation around the question of racism. A conversation with someone important to me recently revealed their thoughts about the bigger picture. "It's not just about racism and police brutality, it's about intolerance of diversity. It's about comparing ourselves and feeling like we're not good enough, we don't measure up, so we think, "he has to be bad because I'm different and I'm good". And that intolerance for diversity is showing as racism right now. Oh how I love these conversations that are thoughtful, considered, open to digging deeper together.
Sarah's inspiration at present is to address our acculturation by exploring every room of our home individually.
Examine what treasures are there to inform us of the way we are unconsciously living our lives. Today is about our living room.
What is the essence of your living room? Does it invite long periods of lounging with friends or a good book? Is it a place you want to spend time? Or do you find yourself avoiding it altogether?
My home is small, almost tiny. My living space is a nook in the morning sun. It has comfy leather couches that I neglected for a long time until I realised that not loving my home was a reflection of not loving myself well enough.
It took time and effort to find the perfect leather conditioner with which to bless those split and cracking arm rests. Trying different products was a bit like trying different avenues to enhance my life. Sometimes frustrating, mostly ineffective until I started to think outside the box and think about other areas of life that used and cared for leather. That mission eventually paid off when I visited an equestrian supply store and acquired a leather product used for conditioning saddles. Once again those couches that have given 20 years of service are supple, deliciously comfy and inviting.
Enjoying the time to examine my living room is something I'm looking forward to. Looking deeply into each item and surface to really decide if it reflects my authenticity will be enjoyable and revealing.
Self-mastery is about being fully connected with your authenticity. You can find it in every nook and cranny of your life. The art pieces on your wall, the photos on your furniture, collections of things on display, vases and carpets and cushion covers. Take your time.
366 days Towards Self-Mastery
When I considered my New Year's intentions for 2020 I had just one: To allow my heart to love what it loved...and let it lead me. (If not now, then when?)
I've spent months working on integrating my life. To live life more fully with my home life, my interests, my work, my responsibilities, all coming together, all connected. I want to give each the attention that they desire and need, and still have time and energy for the others. That means living and working from the heart.
As I was clearing out my bookshelf over the Christmas break I discovered Simple Abundance. I set it aside to explore it on New Year's Day as I lazed through another delicious day of nothingness. Sarah, the author, says this book is about living in grace. Living in grace I realised, is about Self-Mastery.
My thirst for understanding the human condition has driven me all my life, and hand-in-hand with self-mastery it has been a life-long goal. And seeing as I love to write, that living in grace is about self-mastery, and I love a bit of a challenge, then if I am truly going to let my heart lead, I really don't have any other choice. So scary as it feels, I'm starting out on a daily mission of leaning into the suggestions of this daybook and making a daily post to keep me accountable. If not now, then when?
I'm Josie. You can find out a little more about me here.
Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy: by Sarah Ban Breathnach.
This book is written for the Australian and NZ market because it refers to seasonal changes. It's available on Amazon here if you'd like to follow along.
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