Full circle

When I think about coming full circle I appreciate the paths taken and distance travelled. I also appreciate where I am today as a result and I am thankful for the lessons that continue to shape my journey.

It could feel as if one is starting over again with never ending lessons looming overhead, in an ongoing pursuit of mastery. And I could ask myself, "At what point does it all get easier and why am I not able to stay on track?"  Fortunately I don't get stuck in those negative thoughts. 

Now, when I think about coming full circle, I feel gratitude, the abundance of life and am able to celebrate all that I am and all that I have. This awareness and positivity helps me to recognize and embrace my ever expanding box of tools. It is these tools that will help me navigate and continue on this ever changing circle of life. 

As I continue to move forward, experience success along the way and all too often struggle, I am reminded of some key lessons learned and valuable tools picked up over the years. This is a valuable reminder to myself to brush off and polish up some of the tools that can get rusty or forgotten.

Key lessons and Valuable Tools

No regrets - Say yes to opportunity and live life to the fullest of my ability in a given moment. I have had to push myself many times to take part rather than simply observe. Being a part of the IHC team over the course of numerous years has given me many opportunities to expand my bubble. As a result I've done more and accomplished more than I thought possible. Even though I still struggle with this, it is at the forefront of my mind and gives me the power to help better shape my life.

Self Expectations - Expectations need to flexible so ego doesn't take over and become a barrier to growth. "I had created an idea in my mind of what I wanted for personal growth, and was let down by the results. Not blaming the program, but instead blaming myself. This was a barrier I created in my own mind. When I quit looking at what I wanted out of the program, I was able to actually see what I had received. The barrier was removed." This is one of the most significant discoveries learned at the end of my first year on the IHC team.Voicing this dissatisfaction led to a conversation and some deeper self reflection expanding my perspective and opening my eyes. This is also where I first understood the power of self reflection and blogging.

30 seconds or less - Just imagine what a person can get done in as little as 30 seconds. While it can be mentally challenging to block off larger chunks of time, we all have numerous 30 second moments throughout our day. This is a concept that has helped to motivate me, increase my awareness so I can recognize these valuable moments and provides satisfaction. It started with a few pushups and sit ups and evolved into pretty much anything. I can pack a healthy snack, wipe a counter or a quick tidy, practice gratitude or do some mindful breathing. "I am taking advantage of those often overlooked and under used moments in time and making them count for something."

1/12 of a Teaspoon - "Did you know that the life of a worker bee is 6 to 20 weeks depending on the time of year? Most of that time is spent gathering nectar. And in their lifetime they will only make 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey. All their work is done for the colony, helping future generations and not the individual bee" When I'm having difficulty recognizing my contributions and the efforts I perceive myself to be making, I think of the worker bee. As I move through my day everything I do matters. My efforts and contributions to myself and the world around me matter. I could produce 1/12 of a teaspoon in a minute, an hour, a day or a month. What's important is not discounting the size or quantity or my efforts. What matters is consistent effort in some form or another.

Frantic or Calm - How do I train or do anything in life? The beauty in this for me was taking the time to compare the opposite of frantic and calm. While I didn't consider my training to be frantic, it also was not what I would describe as calm. 

Frantic definition - hurried, chaotic, disorganized, time crunch, fixated
Frantic Antonym - calm, composed, relaxed, balanced, grounded, moderate, peaceful

Keeping this in front of me helps to ground me and embrace my journey.

Thank You Ego... - Thank you ego, move aside, I've got this! This a very powerful mantra for me. It helps me to manage my anxiety, it keeps my strengths in check and addresses my weaknesses without invalidating myself. More and more I am recognizing my ego in motion

Coming full circle is part of pursing mastery if done with awareness and reflection. And when I think about effortless effort, I realize mediocrity only sets in at that point when there is a lack of awareness and the desire or motivation to pursue more. With awareness and the pursuit of more, effortless effort can lead to mastery.

Self reflection, awareness and the multiple tools accumulated will continue to help me as I navigate this next cycle of life. While my year has not turned out at all like I had planned, there is so much I am learning and grateful for. 

My starting point has moved a great deal from when I first joined the IHC all those years ago!