I believe 100% that the universe (or God or Allah or whatever you think helps us be part of more than ourselves) sends us signs. They can be very subtle, more like a light wind than a burning bush. Or they can be so overt we feel foolish for not heeding them.
Lately, I've had the fire department on speed dial with all the burning bushes in my life. In the past three weeks, I've gotten multiple signs about multiple items in my life. There was the nightmare about an inoperable brain tumor that made it clear I need to talk to someone about a problem I was having with them. There was the conversation with my sister about husky rescues and rain that resulted in rain for the first time in weeks and a potential adoption opportunity (no, we did not get another husky, much to my dismay). There was the person who walked past my house five days in a row with a literal sign on before I realized I hadn't gone outside in five days. And now, another one just happened and I can't ignore it.
In one day, two VERY different people in my life mentioned that they have begun prioritizing their personal well being. One of those people committed to a 365-day yoga challenge and is now going on more than 500 consecutive days. She said what everyone always tells you, she picked something that she wanted to do and then just decided to do it.
It was that simple.
I say simple. We all know it isn't that simple. I can't tell you the number of times someone has told me, "just get a hobby," as a cure for depression and anxiety. I know that finding something that sparks joy in my life or engages long-dormant parts of my brain is good for me. I know that after I get through the first week and make it a habit my body takes over and "the thing" happens on autopilot. I know doing more when those "more" things are what I like to do refuels me rather than depletes me. I know all this with every cell in my brain.
The problem is I don't know how to transition that knowledge into action. It is so much easier to keep working or sit on the couch or browse the Athlete website or waste time going down an internet rabbit hole. Finding something that I am passionate about is hard. And committing to making it a priority is even harder. It's like telling someone that losing weight is easy, just expend more calories than you take in. Obviously, it isn't easy or we would not have an obesity problem in this country.
But excuses and mental models aside, it really is that simple. There is no trick. We simply need to decide to do something. Whether it is eat breakfast each morning before lunchtime (ok, really at all), or drink more water (ok, really some), or only yell at our kids 20 times a day instead of 30, or find 5 minutes to meditate each morning before the day gets started, or even do yoga once a day every day for a year, all we have to do is decide to do it.
The best part, once we decide to do it, we'll wonder what took us so long. We'll wonder what excuse it was that seemed so insurmountable. We'll try to remember what was so hard.
So join me. Pick one something that seems too hard to do but shouldn't be. Say it out loud. Commit to yourself and the universe that you will do it. Tomorrow, you will drink that glass of water. And then another and another until those 32 ounces are down in a flash.
The momentum will build and build and next thing you know, you'll be a fully hydrated, certified yoga instructor who might have to go to the bathroom a little bit more often.
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