The longest journey starts with where you are standing

We have all heard of the saying, “The longest journey starts with the first step.” And there is certainly great encouragement in this idea for us to set our life’s course in a direction that will allow us at the end of our journey to have no regrets. No one wants their tombstone to say, “Here lies Ken Scroggs who died at 100, but who stopped living at 50.” Many of us do not know where we are going or why we are in such a hurry to get there. Those of us who have a pretty good idea of their destination don’t know how to get there. We read self help books and listen to motivational tapes, go to church, talk with friends and family. This is all great and well intended. We have a tremendous wealth of information available to us, but how do we put it to effective use to get practical results.

Normal vs Natural. The norm in our society is to wake up sleep deprived, grab a cup of coffee and donut as we rush into traffic and get to work with an attitude that is less than positive and healthy. This is normal but hardly natural. We are in such a hurry that we may not have a simple connection with ourselves. Staying connected to our Self or “centered” is so important as we go through each day. Defining the self is important. However one defines it, we might all agree that it is an important part of what defines us as humans with thoughts, feelings and beliefs. Just as little deeper is the Soul. When reading the history of self-help literature it is interesting that with Norman Vincent Peal (a man who made a positive impact on many people) the word Soul began to be replaced with the word Self. Whatever word one uses to define our core or center, it is important, deep and has the capacity to know truth and beauty. A rose is a rose is still a rose. And feeding this part of us is as important as feeding our body and our emotions. We need to feed our body; emotions and this Self/Soul everyday. I have never had a meal so satisfying that I did not need to eat the next day so why should I think I can go so long without feeding my emotions by telling the ones I love how I feel. Many of us hesitate when telling someone, “I love you.” And what would life be like to start each day with a “spiritual spin” by reading something that speaks deeply to us, going for a walk in nature, looking into the eyes of a child, truly stopping to smell the roses (not the coffee). Just thinking about this can also invite our vital signs like heart rate and blood pressure to a natural state. The norm in our society may be elevated vital signs.

So what would it be like to put our long journey aside momentarily to consider that we have within each of us a resevou, a mountain spring, as clear pond to reflect our thoughts and feeling on for greater clarity. That this special place is within each of us and empowers us each time we take a few minutes to simply be here, now, fully present. To stop, look and listen to what is going on within us wherever we are. To own all of our Selves, the good, the bad and the ugly. The longest journey may really start with where you are standing. So be still, quiet the mind, say a prayer, remember the smile of a child or your best day fishing (there is never a bad day fishing). This can also invite all our vital signs like heart rate and blood pressure to a natural state. Cultivate this place like a gardener cultivates plants by preparing the soil, planting the seeds of wisdom, watering, nurturing, weeding out distractions and enjoy beautiful flowers and sweet fruits. And if you dare try this and at first you become distracted and wonder, “Where is mySelf?” Well, the bad news is we can all become so busy that we misplace our Self, and the good news is you can never loose it.

To make an appointment call the North Pines Center at 770-449-1111.