(Ash Bark Blanket in process for a new human on the
way)
2.
I am going to get emotion nerdy on you here. I was in a
conversation about contentment the other day. About how contentment arises when we embody our authentic values, and how easy it is for our intrinsic motivation to be skewed when we substitute pleasing others for alignment with our own values.
I took piano lessons as a child. I loved learning even though it was often frustrating. What I didn't love was performing. I didn't understand why I couldn't learn just for myself and the enjoyment it gave me. But the deal was that if you take lessons you participate in recitals and play for grandparents when they visit. True, I objected so much to playing for my grandmother that my mom finally stopped asking, but not with out letting me know very disappointed
with me everyone was. (sigh)
Playing piano became about pleasing others and performance, ultimately for a grade when I took it collage before I stopped altogether. I lost connection to my value of creative
expression and the fulfillment of getting the timing of phrase just right, or not tangling my fingers during a complicated passage. That motivation was given over to the approval of my mother or teacher or an audience. Piano became more about pleasing others and less about my own expression and discovery.
There is a different feel between taking action towards something that is important and aligns with our values vs doing something to please parents, bosses, friends, etc. There can be so much tangled up in this, but freedom is reclaimed when we give ourselves true contentment. Can I get an "Amen" from any members of The Working on Being a Former People Pleaser Society?
3.
I had not seen it in this way before, but a lot of my work is about is helping people find the power of contentment in their lives. I know it's not very sexy to say "I help
people be content." Kind of like, "Want an ok life, I am your gal!" But that is only because we don't understand and so often overlook the power of contentment. We are seeking an authentic and fulfilling life and following the path of contentment is how we get it. Sure there are other things involved too, but the motivation to keep going is fed through contentment in a way that creates flow and momentum.
4.
Speaking of following contentment, I am finding so much in reconnecting to my art. Not being able to knit had me spend more time at my art table. Sometimes set backs are just setbacks, but sometimes they set us on another needed
journey.
5.
A blessing for your
week:
