Gentle Invitation
I was in a class this weekend, as I usually am, when the teacher began speaking about inviting certain energies and thoughts in as opposed to forcing them upon ourselves. At first I didn’t think much of it, moving along with my practice as usual, but as time slowly progressed and the words began to resonate more and more working their way into my consciousness, I began to greatly recognize the weight of what inviting something over forcing it really meant. I think it’s safe to say we all have dreams and ideas of how we think things should be going within our lives and the world around us. We often believe in these dreams so much that instead of allowing the universe to work in its own way and on its own time with development in an organic and authentic way, we often times find ourselves trying to force an ideal reality.
You know what I am talking about. It’s almost like the narrative and action of trying to fit a square peg into a round hole when you were a little kid. Regardless of what you knew the truth to be and how many times you tried with fail, you were adamant that eventually it would break through and somehow magically fit.
As much as I hate to admit it, as adults, many of us are still trying to force our way through life. We want what we want when we want it and that's the bottom line. We want success so we force our way into partnerships and jobs that aren’t necessarily the right fit. Same thing goes with relationships and love. Our significant other checking off all our boxes on paper so we believe regardless of any other red flags that exist, it must be legit. Or the feelings of balance and peace we so desperately strive to attain through manufactured workshops and ways of being.
Not to say that any of these things are wrong, but when the outcome and the “by any means necessary” mantra begins to overshadow the process are we truly serving ourselves in the best way possible?
One of the many definitions of force is to make a way through or into by physical strength; break open by force.
If we hold this as truth what happens to life when we ease up and act gentler in nature. Still putting in the same amount of effort but shifting our energy as we do so.
Therefore, this week the challenge is to take a step back from the act of forcing things to happen and instead gently invite what you wish into your space. It’s no secret this exercise will require a lot of work around patience, understanding, and reflection but that's the point. Getting comfortable in the wait. Take your time with it, and start small as with everything else I've asked you do. My introduction came by way of a breathing exercise so perhaps you start there. Consciously relaxing and inviting gentle breath into your body. Slowing everything down, providing more space and opportunity to create purposeful action and overall success.
As a journaling exercise take note of the first few significant changes you begin see. Does life become easier? Less riddled with stress and anxiety? Are you finding higher levels of engagement with things you may have once put on the back burner? Are you accomplishing more than before? Or conversely, are you more stressed? Less motivated? Overwhelmed and anxious?
Whatever your answers are, sit back and think about how they are affecting where you are and where you would like to go. Moreover, how and where do you see space to make the necessary adjustments toward living your best life?
“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” – Albert Einstein
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