don't you love it when you hear a message, perhaps one you've heard a million times before, and it suddenly resonates and shifts your thinking? maybe this time it is presented with language that speaks to you or it is delivered by just the right messenger, someone you respect and admire. or maybe this time life events have swirled into the perfect magical vortex of time and space and experience and in this moment the message radiates with glowing truth in the center. maybe your mind became quiet and still and open enough to finally hear it. maybe it's grace in action.
a big part of my focus on aliveness this year involves paying attention to and exploring those things that keep me from living the life i want, from being the human i intend to be. a resource that has been extremely helpful to me is jen louden's book, the life organizer. jen was one of the facilitators at the creative joy retreat i attended last october. especially resonant for me in jen's work is the concept of shadow comforts, those things we dive into when we are overwhelmed, bored, anxious, sad. food and sleep are two of my comfiest shadow comforts; they tend to get the most airplay around these parts. but as i explore more, i am noticing other more subtle, more insidious shadow comforts i run to on a regular basis. one that i'm paying particular attention to is being right.
what i love about jen's message it that we don't have to abandon or give up our shadow comforts, because often they are valid components to a life well-lived. what we need to do is pay attention to when and why we choose them; partner with them for understanding rather than battle them for domination. this mind shift is a pure moment of grace for me.
jen louden is teaching the life organizer navigation course starting later this month. i'll be there, doing the work, paying attention, soaking up grace and wisdom, moving into aliveness.
