Sometimes we find ourselves looking for something outside of us to empower us. We feel like we are not sufficient in ourselves to meet the task of living our lives the way we want to. This is something we all experience. I would like to, in this writing, share the possibility that you have the power within you, to live your life the way you want it to be lived.
Inside of each one of us is a deep reservoir of power. Like a current of life-giving water running below the surface, just waiting to be tapped into. We are not aware that it is there until we do some digging down on the inside. I want to talk about this power, and then ways that we can dig down and tap into it.
The power I am referring to can be called many things. It has been called the water of life, life energy, spirit, or soul. It is the deeper part of us, our awareness beyond our thoughts and emotions. This part of us is where our dreams exist, our passions, our deepest desires, our inner connection to god, to life itself. We find here a resource of strength, intuition, boldness, faith, joy, and abundance.
I often operate on the surface and subtly feel these things at times but miss the true experience of them, assuming this is not the normal experience of life. I want to suggest that it can be the normal experience of life. Here are a few suggestions of how to dig down into this power within you:
Be Mindful – Life is always lived in the present and yet my mind is often in the past or future. Start a practice of living in the present as much as possible. Whatever you are doing now, is the present. Be there, and then be in the later moments, when you get to them. Meditation can help to build this as a habit. It is as simple as taking a few deep breaths and just paying attention to your breathing, notice everything going on inside of you and around you right now. I know your busy, but all busy really is is moving quickly through a bunch of now’s. Why not move through them with awareness and a sense of inner control instead of feeling chaotic and out of control or controlled by what is happening on the outside.
Be Inspired – There is so much beauty in life. Everywhere, within and without. We dig into this inner power by looking for and feeding on, inspiration. To be inspired means to be in- spirited! It means that your inner spirit is filled up! We can find this through music, poetry, nature, acts of service, creative outlets, art, and so many other ways. What makes you feel good inside? What enlivens or lifts your spirits? Do more of that. This is your inspiration. It may not always be easy to find. We must connect to our inner voice to find out what makes this part of us come alive. Yet it is a worthy exploration and the world, the universe is filled with inspiration!
Be Contemplative – This sounds like a job for the mystics. Our lives are so often filled with pressures and care, the idea of being contemplative sounds like someone else’s job. Yet, it simply means to be observant. To observe your life, to be in the driver’s seat. To notice what is going on. To hear the messages your body might be sending you, to listen to your emotions, and allow them to be felt and heard. To notice what the inner you really wants from life and to start saying yes to this part of you. To be contemplative really means to be in touch with yourself. If you’re not, who is going to be? This can be enhanced by some time alone, or through practices like journaling or some other creative way to express yourself.
Be Explorative – This is the child in you. He wants adventure, she wants to play and have fun! To explore is to grow, to test boundaries, to learn new things about yourself and about life! We get stuck and stop growing and that is not natural. Things that are healthy, grow. We are alive at just this moment for a reason. Don’t you want to know why? Aren’t you curious about what your life is all about? Why do you see things in a certain way? Why are you so passionate about certain ideals? To explore is to stretch yourself out and see what you can become. To go beyond your fears and to have the courage to step out into the unknown with boldness. This is possible and even likely when you begin to become mindful, inspired, and contemplative. You will be awakening the explorer in you. If you don’t believe it, just give it a try!
Tony Gilotte
Comments