.:.

The past several weeks have been full and hard with a lot of information coming our way from many sources. Much to sift through, much to absorb and much to process before moving forward with constructive action.

Some are able to cycle through this quickly.

I cannot.

Sometimes my brain has trouble processing large amounts of information quickly and it all becomes too much. Like having too many tabs open in a browser, there's always the one that makes the whole thing crash. On some days even two tabs is one too many.

That's when I go back to stillness.

In stillness I am able to process things, to do the work. It may not be visible to others nor even to myself, but it is taking place. I trust this.

In stillness I check in with my heart, my higher power, my conscience.

In stillness I start to hear whispers, nudges in one direction or another, what-ifs and why-nots.

These insights lead me to explore possibility and choose action that feels right and intentional instead of action that stems from a place of fear and overwhelm.

Stillness allows me to see with clear eyes and a clear heart the options that lie before me.

One day at a time, that's all I need to choose a next step forward.

Stillness, leading to possibility, leading to action that feels right and intentional.

Yes.

.:.

If you feel overwhelmed and unable to take action on something, are you able to slow down a little? Pause - even if only for a moment - and see what happens.

At the very least it will allow you to catch your breath. Even the most active among us need to do this once in a while to carry on.

In spirit of discovery,

Stephanie

Back in February I stumbled upon a passage in Julia Cameron's book, The Sound of Paper, that posed the question:

"If I found myself and my thoughts interesting, what might I try?"

One of the answers I ventured was penning the framework for creative living that's been surfacing over and over in my journal for the past seven years, for creating a life of intention and choice and alignment and joy.

The call to structure and capture this framework is coming in loud and clear these days. Of course this means that resistance, in its quest to protect me, is coming in loud and clear too:

"Do you really have it in you to do this? It takes time and energy. You're tired. It's probably easier not to start."

"Don't do it, there are trolls and mean people out there. If you publish your thoughts they will say mean things and it will break your heart. Do you really want your heart broken? Keep it to yourself. It's safer."

And the classic:

"Who are you to write a framework about creative living? You have no authority on the subject.”

About that last one...

Yesterday I was sifting through some old files and found the draft for a February post where I first wrote about Ms Cameron's question and admitted my desire to capture my framework for creative living. Apparently I'd originally written a second part to my reflection – a second, powerful part that didn't get published on the blog:

"Who do I think I am to do this [pen a framework for creative living]?"

Turns out I had several answers:

I am a person who truly believes in the power of choice and that we can create a life of alignment.

I am a person whose journalling practice has been producing and outlining a particular framework for the past seven years.

I am a person who practices the framework – albeit not always consciously, lives it and discovers its challenges, joys and nuances as she goes along.

I am a person who dislikes self-help clichés yet knows that sometimes things become cliché because they hold a kernel of truth.

I am a person who believes we have our own answers within, sometimes we just need a little prompting to ask ourselves the questions.

I am a person who has nothing to lose in penning this framework except her own time and effort, but has a lot to gain in clarity.

BAM!

Stephanie, 1. Resistance, 0.

Onward, I say.

.:.

Who are YOU to...?

Following Ms Cameron's prompt, the next time your resistance asks you who you are to do something, try answering it.

"I am a person who..."

Write down your answers. It's pretty powerful.

In spirit of discovery,

Stephanie

On Taking Action With a Clear Heart... (or, Back to Stillness)

.:.

Stillness allows me to see with clear eyes and a clear heart the options that lie before me.

.:.

♥

Q&A Session With Resistance (or, Who are we to...?)

.:.

Who are YOU to...?

♥