You know those days when a certain flavor of idea rolls into the town of your psyche? Ideas such as Right, that’s it, no matter what I’m getting paid it’s time for a job change, or I’m going to tell him exactly what I think, or Diet starts tomorrow, I’m doing it this time! (whatever ‘it’ is), or even I’m done over-spending! No more shoes for me! (or clothes, cars, mani-pedi’s, or whatever).
When these ideas surface, they usually feel great. They create a ripple effect of energy and confidence. The mind is speechless, watching this spectacle of certainty in awe. Momentarily stunned into silence.
Something true has happened.
We think these moments are random. But if you look closely, you might notice that on these particular days you’re probably feeling rested, resilient or inspired, peaceful or playful. Something good might have happened, or you just woke up one morning after a rare night without that dream of being chased over a cliff.
It’s easy to not correlate self-care with true ideas. It’s easy to have a true idea and then get back on the train where other people’s priorities over-ride your own ~ or you talk yourself out of it because, well, hey, it might have been a good idea in the shower this morning but it’s now after lunch and my child is sick, my job at least fills the deep void I’m ignoring, and I have avocados to buy.
But dear God, self-care, please! Especially sleep, healthy food and moving that body! The basics.
It’s not only vital for the nourishment of true ideas. It’s vital for those moments when maybe that true idea lingers for longer than 5 hours and now you have to deal with the resistance army.
I had a true idea to move to Africa. I left California feeling loved up, ready, resourced and shockingly low on belongings. I’m pretty good at this self-care thing, at big transitions, and schmoozing with internal gremlins that love to lie to me about who I really am.
I’ve been at this for over 30 years.
However… Within 2 days of landing in the UK, I show up jet lagged at my mother’s house, hurt her feelings without realizing I had, and found myself on the receiving end of her unique way of showing me I’d hurt her feelings. Before I knew it I was reduced to an angry powerless puddle with plenty to say and absolutely no ability to say it well.
Wait a minute! I know how to draw loving, responsible boundaries! For crying out loud. She only gave birth to me. She only made me from the cells in her body. What’s the big deal?
Now, to be fair, I did know what to do next. I didn’t stay that puddle of I have no worth or value because the cost on the life I’ve built is waaay too high. Plus. It ain’t true. But it took a while, and it took some not-very-fun soul searching to crawl my way out.
What I know for sure is that the only way to bounce back from challenges, or keep going in spite of resistance that shows up is by cultivating some internal strength, and ~ sometimes ~ the help of a witchy, skillful practitioner or two.
And it’s the same when it comes to any true idea you have. They likely arrive in moments of good self-esteem, bursts of confidence, emergence of a wise inner self (oblivious to the inevitable rampage of doubt waiting for you outside the shower) who seizes the moment and speaks up.
Do you believe what you hear?
At this point in your life do you feel strong enough to act on your true ideas?
Let’s say you do and you are, but you don’t quite know how to move forwards. Well, try these on…
- Use your intellect and research your true idea ~ online as well as running it by people you trust (stay away from the ones you don’t trust).
- Look for reasons to say “Yes” rather than “No”.
- Expect to be challenged ~ no good idea slips by without some random external attempt at shaking you back to your original senses.
- Try it on for a month. Live with it. Note down the days you’re onboard and the days you’re walking the plank. Write down what the gremlins say. Write down what your wise inner self says. See if you notice any patterns.
Now go and get that dream analyzed so you can have a good night’s sleep. True ideas are waiting for you.
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