2019 Summer Issue

“your purpose is to be yourself. You do not have to run anywhere to become someone else. You are wonderful just as you are.”

– Thich Nhat Hanh

by jennifer schofield

5 Min read

Welcome dear clients, to another series of my bi weekly newsletter/inspiration source.

Here we are in September, the close of summer and for many a new start to the term. Temperatures at night start to drop suddenly, and the new challenges of life are clearly standing before you.

For many the return to a high demand life can be overwhelming. You become filled with fears and self doubt.

How can I possibly get it all done?

How will I make enough money?

How will I keep up with this course load?

How can I survive in this job?

When I hear the word overwhelmed I picture you struggling to keep your head above water, tossed around by the current.

A college student overloaded with homework is already behind

A seasoned executive has her job restructured to a supportive role

An employee is terminated and faces fraud charges

A man must decide to leave his troubled 3rd marriage or work it out

With change comes uncertainty, anxiety and the catastrophizing thinking that pulls so many of you.

“What’s happening is terrible!!”

Forget the terrible, that remains to be seen. Try instead: What’s happening is real life.

Acceptance of what is happening (not your analysis of it) is key.

Because it is happening.

Some have said that “everything happens for a reason“. I agree, and that reason needs to somehow come alive….

through your participation.

It requires you to connect with that reason.

Beyond survival, what is your true reason or purpose in work, in life? What is your guiding principle all about?

Why is it important to you?

Some examples:

To provide for my family

To give to my community

To experience new things

To recover and heal

To teach children and make an impact

To create something

To be a good person

To see the world

To change things

Connecting with your purpose helps you move from the drowning state of fear to start swimming towards something.

Issue 1 - Realize your potential - Swimming Dog Canoe — "swimming dog and canoe" - Alex Colville, 1979

On my away time I seek my own healing and growth by connecting with nature. Being in natural settings reminds me that we are all interconnected with what is all around us. Our bodies are made up of the same substances. As you breathe in deeply in nature it is easy to tune in to and open to what is happening now.

This openness to opportunity is part of the mindset needed to navigate overwhelming challenges of daily life.

As we sat on a late August retreat enjoying a spectacular sunrise, these three horses randomly arrived. They chewed the painting I was doing and simply stood still around me. They gave me their gift of attention. It was an undescribably powerful and inspiring experience I will never forget.

So many lessons opened to me as I tuned in and listened to the horses. I felt they gave me a glimse of their own healing language.

It is our state of mind that allows amazing synchronistic events to occur. The horses and nature are all around us and within us waiting for the moment of readiness. The sunrise is there for every one of us to experience tomorrow. It has been there all along.

Your job is to get in the state of readiness and prepare for good things to happen. You can learn to recognize the opportunities rather than the catastrophies that are all around you in every moment.

Here is a quick review of how to generate that state of mind.

Accept what is happening – inside of me – outside of me

Connect with your purpose and guiding principles

Be open and curious

Stay well folks, and keep swimming

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