Change Is A Lifetime Journey, Not a Quick Destination

 

Change is a lifetime journey & not a quick destination.  I keep saying this to myself to remember that I don’t have to accomplish everything right now.  Small changes create a shift and a turn slowly towards a direction that I want to go.  I don’t have to reach my destination today and neither do you!

What helps me in this process?  Looking inward.  Noticing what’s happening now & noticing my current truth.  It’s all a process that takes time.

This inward looking process is something that I’ve been doing consistently for the past 5 years.  It’s scary, exciting, fascinating and difficult all at once.

How did this process start?

When I first started this process, I was very unfamiliar with myself.  I’d spent many years taking care of my family and usually putting myself last.  At the end of my first yoga therapy training, I remember saying “I don’t know who I am anymore.”  I was shocked to hear myself say this.  I really thought that I knew who I was, but when I took my family out of the equation, I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do anymore.

At that point, I knew that both of my kids would be out of the house soon.  I knew that I didn’t want to keep teaching yoga part time.  I also knew that I couldn’t simply add in more yoga classes in order to teach yoga full time.  My body was revolting & refusing to cooperate with the added stresses on it that come from teaching 15+ classes a week.

What’s Next?

So, there I was.  I’d just finished my first yoga therapy training and I had no clue what I was going to do with myself.  In that first training, I had spent time reflecting on my life and in self-inquiry.  What I discovered wasn’t something that I expected or wanted.  It also wasn’t a complete guide to what I would do next.  My path wasn’t clearly laid out and to this day it continues to change.

Even though my son was still at home when I did that first training, I knew that life would be changing drastically sooner rather than later.  I knew those first empty nester years were going to be a big adjustment.  After spending so many years focusing most of my attention on my kids, I knew that there would be a bit of a hole in my life once they were both out of the house.  I also knew that I didn’t have to go into the empty nester period without knowing myself.  With continued self-inquiry, I could get to know myself and my dreams and goals again.

That’s just what I did!  Even today, I still continue this process of self-inquiry & change.  In fact, it influences what I do every day.

Choose change or let change choose you?

There are certain times in your life where it is time for a change.  Sometimes, you start that change and sometimes it’s started for you.  That time when your kids move out is kind of both.  You know it’s coming.  Or, You might be proactive and begin the changes before your kids actually leave.  You also might put off that change as long as possible because you really don’t want it to happen.

I took the proactive approach, but not all moms do.  I spent time before my youngest left home trying new things and reconnecting with others.  Some things that worked for me in the past no longer did & some that I hadn’t had time to do were able to come back into my life. This time of self-inquiry and discovery helped me to connect to what worked in this period of my life.

In my own practice, I work with both types of women.  Some are reacting to changes that have happened in their lives.  Some are being proactive and doing the self-inquiry so that they can make the changes that work best for them.  Either way, this change is a lifetime journey and not a one time thing.

So…enjoy the lifetime journey. 

That journey is really what it’s all about anyway. 

Your destination or achievement is a bonus.  On my journey, I’ve achieved some of my goals and created even more.  From when I started this journey to change 5years ago,  there have been unexpected twists and turns and I’m grateful for them all because it has made reaching my goals or destinations even sweeter.

Take a few moments and listen to your own body.  Notice what it has to say today and let that self-inquiry begin to lead you on your own lifetime journey.  If you’re not ready to do it by yourself, then I can help.  If you’re a self-starter, then my online program , Who Am I Now? is for you.  If you need a more personalized approach, then schedule a call to me to learn how I can help you create the changes that you seek.

Love & Hugs,

Becky