You Never Know Until You Try

Another Olympics draws to an end, and I am watching the closing ceremonies as I type this. I'm even enjoying the commercials, much to my surprise. The athletes that remain are all smiling and are already having fun. After all, it's all over, and soon they get to go home, taking amazing memories with them.

There were many surprises in this Olympics, in terms of performance and achievement. For some, the goal was to continue their current domination, and for many others, the second chance that they thought they would never get brought results others thought they could never achieve.

But they're Olympians. Who else would achieve such great things?

Certainly not lowly common humans such as ourselves. Most of us consider ourselves lucky when we simply make it through the day. And yet, each of us has achieved results beyond our wildest dreams. And usually, it happened when we weren't paying attention.

I know I've been amazed in the past when I realized some of the accomplishments that had happened around me. Friends completed novels and were published, colleagues took risks with their work and reached managerial levels they had dreamed of, and my children continue to surprise me on a daily basis. But in the back of my mind was always the doubt: that was them - it will never be me.

My daughter gifted me with one of those moments just yesterday. As you know, I also teach Irish Dancing (and am chair of the North American Irish Dance Federation). Our first North American Championships are coming up this July, and I am working with my dancers to prepare them for this competition. I had despaired that my daughter would ever be ready - it seemed that she would never attempt, much less become accomplished at some of the required elements.

Instead, after dance class on Saturday, I asked her to humor me for an extra fifteen minutes, and show me her take on what she had been shown over and over again in class. She shrugged, grinned, and proceeded to dance these elements with perfect timing, rhythm, and ease. How did this happen? When did she learn to do this? Here, I worried that she might never learn, and instead the question is when she will perfect. What a gift!

I guess I hadn't been paying attention!

In my own life, it took a dear friend pointing out my latest accomplishment for me to even notice it. In under six weeks, I've created a entire 120 page workbook, which is the basis for my Realize Your Inner Goddess workshops. If you had asked me to simply do this, I would have panicked and run, without ever attempting the project. Instead, I created twenty pages each week, as well as the scope and sequence for the entire set of workshops, and the matrix upon which all is based. And, I can honestly say that I am proud of my accomplishment.

But, when did I do it? How did I do it?

The simple answer is that I got out of my way and just allowed myself to focus on the task at hand. I didn't worry about the big picture, or about completing the entire project, or about editing, or about the final product. I just just worked on that day's task, and finished it.

What if this is the answer to life? Just focus on the moment and live it, in truth, honesty and to the very best of your ability within the constraints of the moment, and to find your peace in that. Perhaps the biggest accomplishments are made up of the smallest moments, just as a coral reef is built of millions of tiny skeletons, one at a time.

The freedom in this approach is exhilarating. Try it. Just for one week, and see what happens.

Allow yourself to be patient and to be true to yourself. Remember to take at least five minutes every day to simply be by yourself and breathe. Allow yourself to indulge in a moment of thought, reflection, and planning when the mood strikes. It's your life, your choice. Allow yourself to simply succeed on your own terms, to live in peace, abundance, and joy. One day, one decision at a time, remaining aware of your choices and your feelings. You CAN get there.

And, as always, if you need help, I'm available. It's what I do, and it's what I love to do.

Sharon.

Hypnotherapy can help you to think healthier, happier, and more successful thoughts while adding the power of relaxation to your life. As you go through your day, you feel better and perform better.

Contact us to learn more about how hypnotherapy can you propel you toward a healthier, happier lifestyle.

Hypnosis or Hypnotherapy, in any form, does not diagnose, treat or cure mental or emotional problems, and is not a substitute for other professional help.