Friday, September 11, 2009
Hello Folks,
I don’t exactly know why it is so important for me to watch or read over and over again about success stories or inspiring stories or ideas that motivate; but for some reason it really helps me to stay focused on my goals, especially when I am feeling down.
I like positive thinking and positivity in general, but the practice of it is really challenging for me when things aren’t going my way. I guess I am learning how easily disappointment can throw me off and how far I need to grow and mature in order to keep inner peace.
Some times seeing other people struggle and then achieve something that seems impossible (especially if it is a true story...but Hollywood style movies are good too) makes me feel motivated to continue on.
I think set backs can help point the way. Anyway, I am a big fan reading Tarot Cards, as some of you may know, and I just pulled three cards that were really helpful.
I use the Tao Oracle deck by Ma Deva Padma. She does beautiful artwork for the deck. Ma Deva Padma is a painter, illustrator, and designer, whose Osho Zen Tarot has sold over 150,000 copies: her fine art has been exhibited in the United States, Europe and Asia. She lives in Northern California and India.
Click here if you want to see what the cards look like.
The cards I pulled were called Limitation, Oppression and Excess. Interestingly, these cards all really fit in with what is going on in my life. The idea is that the cards respond to your subconscious messages and give you some clarity.
First I will tell you the meaning of the cards I pulled and then I will tell you why they fit.
Limitation:
Meaning: Introspection, cultivate patience, practice, self respect, self-discipline, ritual, build up energy
Purpose: “Becoming really good at anything takes practice and repeated effort...can take many years of discipline.” “When discipline is willingly taken on, self-imposed, rather than endured because of external pressure or coercion, it will nourish your growth and deepen your maturity.” “...without limitations it is impossible to maximize our potential.”
Oppression:
Meaning: Restriction, exhaustion, depression, depleted resources, feeling cut off, punishment, confinement
Purpose: “Difficult circumstances are life’s way of provoking a leap from one level of consciousness to another...with restrictions...if we can receive them and work with them, help to strengthen the inner qualities we need in order to keep growing and expanding.”
Excess:
Meaning: stress, overload, exhaustion, obsessiveness, gluttony, burdens, worries, breaking point
Purpose: “You have chosen to ignore your own limitations...realignment is necessary...realignment diminishes stress and in an incremental way helps alleviate the weight of the world.”
All of these things are in the forefront of my mind now. I am in a situation where I have to make some big decisions that will have consequences. Many of you understand how the “economic crisis” is impacting jobs and home owners...etc. I am also feeling the impact and it is really causing me to spin out and stress out rather than grow and expand. I tend to get worked up about it, but I also see how necessary it is for change like this to happen, because it is like a forest fire...however terrible the fire is, new growth happens on the ashes of destruction. Usually, something richer and stronger comes from destruction.
I am feeling Oppressed by my own circumstances, but also feeling the need to figure out to work with it rather than allowing it to consume me
I am feeling overloaded (Excess) with responsibility and finding it necessary to realign my self and priorities
I am feeling the Limitations of my circumstance, but I can also see the possibilities...but need the discipline to get there.
What does this have to do with exercise and health and fitness? It has a lot to do with dealing with the limitatons of your body and any disappointment that comes along with massive effort and unlocking your own potential.
Holding to the long term goal and not getting bogged down by the little things; like an ankle injury or something like that...
Here is an inspiring video from the movie pursuit of happiness...
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: Use limitations as a stepping stone for growing and expanding.
