That sounds exciting, doesn't it?
While some of the folks who dwell in the yoga-world want you to believe your ego is like the HIV virus and must be eradicated (you can live with it), it's nice every once in a while to feel good at something.
When we are doing something we like, where we know we can do well (and we feel the flow), we create positive feelings in ourselves. Not just positive feelings, but improved overall moods and mental states, through optimized brain chemistry. Not only does it feel good and make us feel better, it makes us learn more quickly and retain that knowledge more specifically.
If what we do well is service or involves giving, then we can also imbue those feelings into the service and others may choose to feel better. Like when you see a musician perform really well, you know they're digging it, yet you're digging it - you feel moved. Even though their enjoyment might be seen as selfish, they are expressing Self through the muse and therefore, serving others. And, we all feel good.
Now, comes the discernment - what are you good at? Next question - does that 'talent' or 'skill' or 'attribute' serve and promote well-being, connection and elevation? Interesting question, because I'm not talking about are you good at being sarcastic, condescending, superior, a prick, a bitch, a really nasty person? Those aren't areas I'm interested in seeing you excel in! Therefore, the title - Find Where You SHINE!!
Shine - it's the essence of passion embodied; it's the emanation of calling from the deepest Self that is apparent to others; it's the attractive force that draws the curious and the lost, like a moth to a flame. And, it's a source of subtle yet magnificent power, safety, security, care, love, illumination and elevation.
If you can't think of what you do well, think of what you'd like to do well and put your focus there - improve, practice, fail and get back up, endeavor, persevere, persist and surrender and become just a little better, and a little brighter.
If you do something well, hell, I don't care, maybe it's crocheting (I wouldn't even be able to evaluate your proficiency), then crochet like it makes the world better. Share it, love it, do it, serve with it, teach it, make it your mediation, choose it over vice - SHINE!
I did grow up getting my schoolin' in the Brady Household, via the small tube that back then had a knob on the side.... I remember, you do, too, and will probably out yourself by correcting which brother, but I'm pretty sure it was Peter (see, totally wrong, I'm in the edits, and it was Jan who got this advice; after the 'lemons on freckles debacle', she needed a solid), who went to ole Poppa, Mike Brady, and whined his (her) adolescent ass off about not being special. MIke's advice, to this day, rings in my ears - "Find out what your best at, and do your best at it!"
Words to live by: even if they came from Sherwood Schwartz, truth knows no container.
Ask your friends if you don't know - say, "hey, what am I good for?? what should I be doing?" - and if they love you, they'll answer!
Give thanks and praise, and come back tomorrow for the flip-side, Step 3 - Explore the Shadows!
While some of the folks who dwell in the yoga-world want you to believe your ego is like the HIV virus and must be eradicated (you can live with it), it's nice every once in a while to feel good at something.
When we are doing something we like, where we know we can do well (and we feel the flow), we create positive feelings in ourselves. Not just positive feelings, but improved overall moods and mental states, through optimized brain chemistry. Not only does it feel good and make us feel better, it makes us learn more quickly and retain that knowledge more specifically.
If what we do well is service or involves giving, then we can also imbue those feelings into the service and others may choose to feel better. Like when you see a musician perform really well, you know they're digging it, yet you're digging it - you feel moved. Even though their enjoyment might be seen as selfish, they are expressing Self through the muse and therefore, serving others. And, we all feel good.
Now, comes the discernment - what are you good at? Next question - does that 'talent' or 'skill' or 'attribute' serve and promote well-being, connection and elevation? Interesting question, because I'm not talking about are you good at being sarcastic, condescending, superior, a prick, a bitch, a really nasty person? Those aren't areas I'm interested in seeing you excel in! Therefore, the title - Find Where You SHINE!!
Shine - it's the essence of passion embodied; it's the emanation of calling from the deepest Self that is apparent to others; it's the attractive force that draws the curious and the lost, like a moth to a flame. And, it's a source of subtle yet magnificent power, safety, security, care, love, illumination and elevation.
If you can't think of what you do well, think of what you'd like to do well and put your focus there - improve, practice, fail and get back up, endeavor, persevere, persist and surrender and become just a little better, and a little brighter.
If you do something well, hell, I don't care, maybe it's crocheting (I wouldn't even be able to evaluate your proficiency), then crochet like it makes the world better. Share it, love it, do it, serve with it, teach it, make it your mediation, choose it over vice - SHINE!
I did grow up getting my schoolin' in the Brady Household, via the small tube that back then had a knob on the side.... I remember, you do, too, and will probably out yourself by correcting which brother, but I'm pretty sure it was Peter (see, totally wrong, I'm in the edits, and it was Jan who got this advice; after the 'lemons on freckles debacle', she needed a solid), who went to ole Poppa, Mike Brady, and whined his (her) adolescent ass off about not being special. MIke's advice, to this day, rings in my ears - "Find out what your best at, and do your best at it!"
Words to live by: even if they came from Sherwood Schwartz, truth knows no container.
Ask your friends if you don't know - say, "hey, what am I good for?? what should I be doing?" - and if they love you, they'll answer!
Give thanks and praise, and come back tomorrow for the flip-side, Step 3 - Explore the Shadows!
