Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Confessions of a Mess: Measure of Success


Well, I have neglected writing for a number of weeks now. There are many reasons I can point to for that falling away, busy teaching, busy being a mom, busy managing a home, busy, busy, busy. Honestly though, it is mostly because I have been in what I call a funk. Some things have happened, or more accurately, not happened, that have made me question whether the path I have chosen is really my path, or have I mistaken myself for something, someone, I am not?

I have been questioning my value, my gifts, my very identity. I have sunk into the old storyline of failure.

In a period of a week and a half I experienced three planned workshops that I had invested time, energy, excitement, and very dangerously, expectation in, have not enough, or even zero people sign up. Another class I offered had only one person participate. My yogic values came into my mind, non-attachment, surrender, compassionate self awareness, but I could not get them into my heart which felt like a dagger had been plunged into it.

I tried to reason with my heart, "don't take it personally, all experience has wisdom, trust the path". My heart needed to feel this though, feel the loss, the heartache, the questions.  The ultimate question came through, "Who am I?".  These measures of success, and these identities I try to fill, are stories I have been offered and that I have bought into. They are so powerful that they take me away from my true nature, they separate me from my soul identity. When I forget who I am it is like putting a neon sign on my heart that says, "SUFFERING, HERE PLEASE!".

Satisfaction or success that relies upon external measures is always a vulnerable success. True satisfaction comes from within, by aligning with the deeper self, the true self. You might call it inner source, inner light, spirit, or soul. When we nourish that space, connecting to it daily, it becomes easier to navigate the constantly shifting landscape of life, to ride the waves of coming and going with ease.

The only sure thing about life in the external world is change, this inner realm though, is constant,  secure, and peaceful. It is easy to lose sight of it, to forget, and get caught up once again in the stories, the evaluations, the criticisms.

Once I processed this and came home to my heart, I was able to shift my perspective. I was able to appreciate the courage it took to put myself out there, the benefits to my own evolution in creating the curriculum of these offerings, to trust my gifts and that a future opportunity to share will come. The universe has perfect timing, and so as I wait, I continue to create. Instead of withdrawing I will look for the next open door or window.

In fact, just this past weekend, I trusted and moved through this doubt and taught a class to a Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training class and the feedback I got was so amazing and uplifting. I walked away re- inspired in my teaching, reaffirmed in my value. Another wave, this time one of support and renewal. And so life goes, I will try to remember this and shine the light inward, and when I forget, I will feel again and forgive again. That is success.            

4 comments:

  1. This really resonates within Jean and you write so eloquently. It is a joy to be in your classes at Kripalu and a joy to read your blog. You truly are a beacon of light. xo

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  2. I appreciate this entry, Jyotika! Just in the last few days, I heard someone remark that we all need something in our life - a hobby/activity/some non-work thing - where the results are irrelevant. Something for ourselves that is all about the process, where it's the doing that's pure enjoyment. And when I first heard that, I felt as though I had run head first into a brick wall: sounds nice, but what in the heck could I ever do where I wouldn't be concerned with the results?! Which led to my next thought - namely that I totally need to reevaluate how I spend my days, if I can't conceive a life outside of outcomes and end results. What about NOW, silly self?! What about just being present, practicing mindfulness? This is *huge* for me... and your words here are really striking a chord with me. Let the inquiry continue!

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  3. Yes! I have SO been dealing with all of this, too! Thank you...

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  4. Thanks for the comments everyone. It is so affirming to hear that what I am saying has resonance. Love and light!

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