last week i mentioned that i’m committed to THE ARRIVAL revolution with its seven essential elements, the first of which is AWARENESS.
curiosity. observation. possibility. patterns.
this week i’d like to share the second step with you » observation.
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physical and psychological homeostasis is the tendency of the body to maintain a condition of equilibrium within, even when faced with changes without.
we are constantly trying to maintain a balance between homeostasis and growth. if we cling to the idea that things must never change, it can lead to stagnation. yet if we swing too far in the opposite direction and introduce too much change at once, it can throw our lives out of kilter, as our body and mind try desperately to adapt and put everything back in balance once again.
so what’s the answer? how do we loosen our grip on the illusion of permanence while still maintaining our psychological equilibrium, our inner core homeostasis, our balance?
first, we accept that change is inevitable. things will change whether or not we are mentally on board for the ride. therefore we must think carefully about each response, realizing that we always have that important and necessary, that demanding yet freeing, ability to choose.
yes, you always have a choice about the way you respond.
let’s revisit our flight analogy . . .
you’re about to board the airplane. do you want to be left at the gate? no. do you want to be outside the plane hanging onto the wing while in flight? definitely not. but what if you were in a comfortable cabin seat inside, as secure as it is possible to be under the circumstances, yet fully aware of the unknowns ahead of you?
it is wise to take precautions by fastening our seat belts and listening to the safety guidelines. but at some point, we must trust that risk-taking is not only an exhilarating way to travel through life, it is mandatory for meaningful survival.
we must pay attention to the clues around us and not miss the opportunities as they arise. there are many times when we have our eyes closed to the immense possibilities and we miss out. being fully aware means acknowledging the dance between homeostasis and creative growth, and acting on it when it is most important to do so.
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“awareness is like the sun. when it shines on things, they are transformed.” (thich nhat hanh)
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today’s invitation . . . consider this. awareness sometimes takes us to places we’re not eager to go. keep reminding yourself how brave and resourceful and strong you are. it may feel safer to leave your metaphorical suitcase unpacked and cancel your reservations for continued adventure. but remaining in a falsely blissful state of dimmed awareness rarely results in satisfaction. since we can only impact what we are aware of, go gently forth, invoking curiosity in all you see and hear and do. relax into your new observation investigation, knowing there will be no judgment — only new vistas.
activity #1-2: passport-to-awareness journal
as your journey begins, it is important to capture your observations. the best way to do so is in a beautiful journal that not only represents your sense of style and organization, but calls to you each day and becomes a treasured friend. if you don’t already have one on hand, please treat yourself at the earliest opportunity. In the meantime, paper and pen will do nicely. (and yes, i am suggesting the old-fashioned method instead of an electronic device. i want this process to be intimate, tangible, magical.)
what has life been asking you to notice? everything and anything might be interesting. write it down. with enough awareness, you can begin to recognize and realize the message intended just for you. it takes time for this activity to be truly meaningful. it may even be a bit painful, when it brings up exactly what you’ve been trying hard to avoid. but writing things down helps make them real. when your issues are directly in front of you in black and white, you are more apt to face them head-on. you can no longer pretend that they don’t exist. the passport-to-awareness journal is for your eyes only, so be honest. there is no need for judgment from anyone, including perhaps your biggest critic (yourself).
try to write in your journal every day, and at the end of each week identify and explore any themes that might be emerging. see where one thing naturally leads to another in the pages you have written. start incorporating what you have learned into daily rituals moving forward. these are all simple actions. but when merged together and taken seriously, they become possible stepping stones to even bigger revelations that are waiting for you ahead.