Monday, September 7, 2009
Hello Folks,
I didn’t get much sleep last night...a little bit too much thinking! Instead I ended watching Pema Chodron talks on the human condition and Buddhist beliefs. I was introduced to Pema Chodron years ago by a Buddhist friend of mine who loved reading her books.
One book that really stands out is called When Things Fall Apart. She explains how to handle difficult times in your life and use it is a way to turn around and really get to know your self. One thing that struck me about her book and her talks is she is very down to earth and grounded. She also knows how to explain Buddhist teachings and practices in a way that Americans can understand.
She lives at a monastery in Novia Scotia and is basically the leader. In her book When Things Fall Apart she talks about how she became a Buddhist nun. She was taken completely by surprise when her husband said he was going to leave her for another woman. She felt like her whole life was pulled out from under her. She had no illusions left about the formula for happiness, because it had failed her (this is my interpretation, in part)...so she turned to spirituality and within a couple of years was ordained a nun.
She never thought that she would go that direction, but she found some thing that really made sense to her and went for it.
I think this is what we are all here to figure out...what is our talent, our passion and pursue it. It is so easy to get sidetracked by life’s obstacles and put aside what truly inspires us. She claims her passion is what she is now doing and that she had to have something major happen in her life to get there. Here is a video of her talk...
Is it possible that all of this economic trouble in the world has a grander purpose? Perhaps it is meant to force us to really pursue our dreams, because if not, we will be pushed out of where we are stuck. What I mean is maybe all of the jobs ending are an opportunity to open us up to new possibilities.
I guess I am saying this because I have the possibility of losing my job and it has really forced me to look at what I love to do and how I can create that in my life. Some of what I do is my passion, but there are some parts of my experiences and talents that aren’t being used and some of those parts really make me shine. In my current job the shining isn’t there for me, so on some level I haven’t quite found the type of life work that fits the full specrum of my talents.
This is part of why I started this site....to use this as a platform to find my talents... you see... part of what holds me back from believing in my self is how I feel about myself. I feel better when I am healthy and strong. I feel more motivated and capable when my body is in shape. My secret hope is that through this process I will also gain the confidence to REALLY forge out on my own with all of my talents and make a life purpose that fulfills me and my talents.
Anybody have any thoughts and experiences about this topic?
Exercise: bike 30 minutes, turbulance training, ankle stretches (it never ends)
Menu: Protein and veggies
Until next time…
Think, Believe, Act, Adjust, Never Give up
Dakota
Today’s Mantra: To forgive is an act of love...why is it so hard?
