Day 225/366 days Towards Self-Mastery.
For how long have you been hearing this idea of "going with the flow"? If my memory serve me well this adage originated with the 1960's sexual liberation movement. At least that is when I became acquainted with it.
It was a far cry from the hard work ethic that I was acculturated into, and didn't gel at all with the studious approach to life that I was convinced would see me right.
Since realising that those particular beliefs didn't serve me well, that progress was mediocre to say the least, that making do was about all that I could achieve, I decided it was time for a different approach.
Since them I've explored, tested, examined, teased apart, analysed, deconstructed and reconstructed every iteration of "go with the flow" that I could conjure.
Ultimately I discovered that going with the flow is about taking the next step. Just the next one. Not looking too far ahead, and not looking back. For me it's about being really present to this moment writing this post, then doing the next thing.
Choosing the next thing, doing the next obvious thing, accepting then next thing no matter what that looks like. Checking in with myself and asking, "Is this the next thing" and doing that.
Taking the next step. It could be a linear step, it could be a sideways step, it could be feel like a backward step. It doesn't matter, as long as it feels like the next right step.
I'm guessing this is what people talk about when they mention the idea of surrender. Surrendering to what is, to the moment.
My discovery is that this is how I've excavated my talents, my interests, my desires, the things that bring me joy and draw life to me. And continue to do so.
Every morning as I watch the sunrise through the glass doors to my bedroom I'm reminded that the windows need cleaning, but as yet, this chore has not shown up as the next thing. In due course it will, but right now there are other more important and more relevant things to do that are the next authentic thing for me to focus my attention on.
Today for example, in 30 minutes I will leap out of bed, and get ready for a fabulous day with a friend. That's the next thing. Attending to my relationship with her spending time exploring antique and vintage stores. Fun things with fabulous company, a longterm friend that fills my cup.
Yesterday the next thing was to focus on my assignment, give it my all, find specific information and craft clear and precise sentences. Tomorrow who knows what will be the next thing. We shall see and wait with anticipation, for who knows what inspiration providence will provide.
When I open my personal space to allow inspiration to flow I know I'm in the flow of source energy that brings with it the information that I need to take the next step towards goals and desires and life itself.
Go with the flow... and allow the force to be with you.
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.