Be Willing
I’ve been teaching The Living Art for 6 years now and I’ve had the honor of helping a variety of people overcome their limits. I often wonder why more people don’t walk this path. Recently, I realized that most aren’t aware that something is missing nor what it means to turn within. Many become comfortable with masking the uncomfortable feeling that keeps poking them by turning to something that will numb the pain. Is it that evening beverage, working out obsessively, the “buy now” retail therapy loop, or has food become a forever bestie? Instead of listening, turning to a familiar pattern might feel like a viable solution, but the reality is—it will never be a sustainable path to lasting inner peace. The reason? Because what requires healing is inside of you, not outside of you. External distractions pull you further away.
The Journey Begins.
When I review the different ways people have come to and intersected with my work, I see that there is one critical component on the journey of inner transformation. There is a starting point that is the same for everyone. And that is the first step.
We’ve all heard, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” That single step is so important because it is your first step. I want to take you even deeper so that by the end of this post, you are crystal clear about what “taking the first step” means when it comes to applying it directly to your own life.
So, what is the first step? Where are you stepping? In what direction should you be looking? This way? That way? Where??? Before you get overwhelmed, just consider this. Think of the “first step” as an internal switch that needs to be turned on. Therefore, it’s not a physical step. It is a decision that you make within yourself so you can start the process of change. The crucial “first step” is being willing—being willing to introspect and get to know yourself. To be willing to get to know you, the real you, maybe for the first time. This is your first step.
The tricky part is that there is a difference between saying “I’m willing” and actually “being willing.” You can say “I’m willing”, but then continue to ignore doing the actual work. This is not “being willing”, but it’s pretending to be willing so you can trick yourself. This will only take you around in circles, eventually leaving you feeling frustrated and hopeless because no-thing is changing in your life. Let’s set ourselves up for success, instead.
Embrace An Introspective Journaling Practice:
Being willing, truly willing, is an internal shift that occurs so you can start the process of looking within. Being willing means, you give yourself permission to pause and look at yourself. To slow down so you can introspect. To look at yourself without any shame or fear, but with a curiosity. Then, you act. Journaling is a wonderful way to start the introspective process as it allows you to explore and discover. Start with a notebook and pen, then begin by asking yourself, “How am I doing today? I mean, really doing. Do I have any tension? What might be causing it?” Set the intentional space so you can allow whatever appears. Instead of trying to change what you hear or distort what you know to be true in your heart, see if you can approach this exercise without any judgements. You are the observer and your job is to listen and record.
To learn more about how to start your own journaling practice, I’ve written an entire blog post called “Journaling: A Path Within”.
Make time each day to do a simple check-in with yourself. You don’t have to create a complicated list of prompts to follow or put pressure on yourself to “perform”. Rather, you’re showing up with the intention to just see how you are doing on the inside.
Be Willing & Be Transformed.
The most important component of this entire process is YOU. Unless you show up for you, your life is going to continue along the same course. Until you decide that you’ve had enough, the locomotive called “my life” will keep chugging along the internal tracks that you’ve laid in place.
Even if these tracks were put in place unconsciously and even if they are causing you harm, they are the dominant narratives that control your life. You will not switch tracks unless you become conscious and start creating the new pathways within yourself.
If you don’t take the time to get to know yourself and take care of your inner-self, nothing will change. So, stay curious and understand that you’re taking the steps to build a relationship with yourself. It will take time, practice and devotion, but it is a path filled with promise and profound beauty.
I help people align with their potential. If you’re ready to find a deeper connection with what truly matters, click here.
