Joy Of Starting Where You Are

JOY REFLECTION
     I saw a gorgeous video the other day showing the unseen life of seeds as they split open under the ground, and life emerges, rooting down into the earth and rising up as new green shoots ready to greet the sun.

​      Rumi said, "Don't think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It's quiet, but the roots are down there riotous." 

       Knowing that, gives me faith in the slow and hard seasons of life, where on the surface it can seem nothing much is changing, and yet, somewhere deep down a new life is silently readying for it's birth. Someone just told me that seeds that are planted right before the winter sets in actually thrive best, as they send down stronger roots to withstand the tough weather! There are certain dreams inside of us that are like that too. Needing for us to get a little sturdier, a little more seasoned before they are ready to emerge. 

      Either way, seeds and dreams have a knowing inside. A kick start, much like the contractions that signal to the body that the baby is ready to be birthed. It can feel like a persistent nudge, or a glad impulse, a strong intuition, or a yearning. However it shows up it is a signal that something is ready to begin. The key word being BEGIN. Not complete. Not be fully formed. Not perfect. Simply begin to open like the seed, and to allow life to move forward to the next step.

     For me, that desire has felt like a persistent yearning to connect with people around the world and share about joy and resilience, in a way that is more direct and less polished then a website or the written word. Webinars, courses and TED talks all have their space; yet, I suspect there is a special healing in the intimate, heart to heart, informal and imperfect sharing that remind us that all of us are teachers, students and above all humans on this humbling journey of life. This first vlog was a simple (and daunting) step towards that dream of greater connection.

      All seeds have value, as do all dreams. Whether it is the desire to rest and care for our bodies; learn to bake a marvelous chocolate cake; pen your first poem; vacation with your loved ones; speak a new language; or start a non-profit; the process is the same. Listen to the nudge, and start where you are.  

    Let the dream seed inside you split open. Let more life emerge. And above all take delight in it.

    Take Delight In Perfectly imperfect, Alive, YOU.

Joy Affirmation 
   I Find Joy In The Unfolding Of My Dreams

PUT IT INTO PRACTICE
   Take some time in a quiet place to breathe and calm your mind.
    Put one hand on your heart and one on your belly connecting with the life and breath within.
   Ask yourself gently what would I like to open to today?
  Ask yourself again. And again. And again. As many times as you like, and jot down every answer you get, from the mundane to the transcendent.
  Circle any that feel like they fall under a shared theme (example service, self care, career, love)
  Choose the one that feels lightest and least overwhelming.
  Tell yourself you have permission to start to move towards this desire exactly as you are. 
  Decide one way you'd like to take an action towards it. For example, i'd like to connect with more people around the world and share my love through a vlog. My action will be making my first practice video.
  Make a time for this action step. 
  Congratulate yourself right now on starting where you are, and remember to do so again when you complete the next action.
  When you complete you step, take some time to plan the next lightest step. Example, now I will learn how to upload vlog to youtube. 
  Keep going & if you get stuck come back to the process with love and gentleness, and get help from someone you trust.

Share your dream below and your reflections so we can all learn from and root for each other!
 
Let's start where we are, learn as we go, and remember resilience is simply the ability to pick up and move forward again & again.

Much Love!
Anjuli

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