Not just in the traditional sense, though I have been overwhelmed with the beauty in Telluride this week. I'm imagining that my life might have different views. That maybe what I have to offer doesn't come from a cube. That the road to finding the meaning and purpose in my life, though winding and shadowy, may be to a place much different than I ever imagined.
I thought for quite some time that being healthy was enough. That being an active person and enjoying the physical benefits of living a fit lifestyle was enough. I thought that I could put up with a job that I don't love or even enjoy. More and more, I'm finding that living half my life (professionally) just isn't part of my long term plan.
At Compete (the studio that I'm lucky to teach classes, help with marketing and being part of the Team), Ben teaches the ideals of the Five Pillars of Your Whole Life. It involves finding balance in these areas: Exercise, Nutrition, Rest & Relaxation, Body Maintenance, and Fun. Finding balance in these areas can be a challenge - if you aren't committed and mindful. Once it's part of your lifestyle, it just IS. But your whole life is MORE than just the physical. The physical body plays an important role in your mental and emotional life, and so beginning my journey there was a very good thing. It has led me to a better understanding of the rest of my life.
One of the things that has really rung true for me this weekend came during a killer spin class. Our instructor shared a very personal story and followed it with the phrase, "Life is too short to leave your happiness, your passions, caged." She went on to tell us (right before a killer climb) that our legs, heart and spirits are strong, that nothing can keep us from accomplishing what we have set our minds to. She said "I'm surrounded by powerful and amazing women."
There it is.
Sure, she was talking about the workout. Or was she? Maybe she connected the physical and the mental/emotional together - mind and body. Sure we are strong enough to complete the climb, but it was our WILL, our attitude, our love for ourselves and appreciation of our body that lead us to this conference, to her class in the first place.
Ever have that thing that you have to be told a hundred times to believe or remember to do it?
Pick up your clothes. Don't forget to roll up your windows. Be sure to save often when working on a big project.
Some of us have to hear messages the same way. It's the hundredth time (or maybe more) that it finally sinks in. You ARE enough. You ARE talented. You ARE beautiful. You ARE strong. You ARE capable of amazing things. Maybe we didn't hear them as kids, or even as adults. Maybe we hear them, but we aren't listening. Maybe it just took that hundredth time to sink in.
I'm not saying that I can fully believe all those powerful messages just yet, I still struggle with self doubt daily. But the energy I've experienced this weekend has really helped me to internalize some of those empowering affirmations. I do have something to offer. I AM worthy of success.
My view on how I want to live, how I care for the relationships I have, my responsibility to be the person that I'm meant to be has changed as of late. I've been able to shake some heavy weights and have the support of my wonderful hubster, family, and a few good friends. I have renewed energy to learn, improve, and grow. I want to simplify and de-clutter my life. I'm finally understanding what happiness can look like and it's not a bigger house, fancy clothes, things or job titles. It's realizing who you are, finding your own happiness and being a positive force in the lives of those you love.
I'm not hugging trees, chanting with crystals or smoking the happy grass (even though I am currently in Colorado)... I'm just saying that things can be so much simpler than we make them out to be. Once we start seeing the view we want for our lives a little more clearly.
I'll have more to share that I've picked up here this weekend, but I'll leave you with this for now...
Life is too short to leave your happiness, your passion, caged up. Be Brave. Live your whole life.
Until next time, friends...
<3 Jen
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