If you are like me, you have baggage. It seems as if, since birth, we have all worked extremely hard on filling our luggage with our emotional bricks. We push, pull and carry this baggage through life, and guess what? The pain, hurt, sadness, and worry that we carry, shows up on our face, our body and in our hearts. With this in mind, I invite you all to say goodbye to one brick.
If you are interested, please read on.
First, imagine your suitcase, imagine your bricks. Now imagine your closest friends and family with you. Now, mentally, ask them what their impression of you is, and listen with your heart for the answer. If you are honest with yourself, you will hear some answers.
Now imagine your biggest hopes and dreams. Dream BIG! Now is your chance. Think of what you wanted to be when you were younger. Let your imagination go free. Remember when you wanted to be a firefighter? a pilot? a writer? an actor? What was it that got you excited as a child? Is that still your dream? If not, and if you could have anything...what would it be? Think really hard, and when you have it, write it down.
You are now tied to that dream. It is real, and tangible. Close your eyes and ask yourself what else you are committed to? Remember, you are tied to your dream but since you don't have it yet, you are also committed to NOT having it. In fact, the part of you that doesn't want your biggest dream is bigger than the part that does. So what else are you tied too? Here is not the place for excuses. Do NOT tell yourself things like...."I don't have time." "When the kids are grown I will...." "I can't afford it." "My situation id different because...." The fact is, those are your excuses not your reason. What is it you are COMMITTED to? If you are committed to keeping so busy you don't have time for your dreams then admit it. Or if you are angry, and keeping people at a distance is your commitment, admit that. Think hard. This is important. This commitment is strong, and is controlling your life and likely has a deep impact on everyone you touch.
I was recently reminded by a friend, Patrick Dean, that no matter how much we want to think we are going to live forever, the fact of that matter is, we are all going to die. We will all have a funeral. And we will all be remembered in a loving way. And in that ceremony, inevitably one of your loved ones will look at another person and say, "Wanna get some pizza after this?" and they will leave. Everyone will leave. You will be gone.
How important is it for you to leave this world a little better than when you arrived here? How deep is that commitment? Will you be remembered as angry? or lonely? or hurt? Or will you be remembered as strong? and passionate? and honorable? The world needs you for your courage. Will you answer the call, or will you just get by. There is an old Jewish saying that goes something like this:
"When you die, and it is judgment day, you will be asked by whatever supreme being you believe in....what could you have done that you didn't do? and why?" What will you say?
Picture that brick again. The one you labeled. Take it out of your luggage and set it down. It is weighing you down, and weighing down the people in your life. Say goodbye to it. Allow yourself the chance to continue your journey with a lighter load. If you had fewer bricks would you be lighter? and happier? and closer to your dreams?
Where will you leave your mark on the world? Remember - the pizza man cometh.
If you would like help on lightening your load, please let me know. Please keep in mind that I don't have all the answers, and in no way do I think I do. I may have some suggestions for you though and I may be able to help you set down some bricks. In no way will this be easy, or pretty, but if you are willing to try, it may be possible.
Until next time, Christine
PS I am back in the office, and for those of you wondering, yes I was able to hang ten on some Santa Cruz waves ...until I was derailed by an overly friendly sea lion that is! |
