On Monday mornings my sons’ school has a school-wide assembly where they talk about different topics each week. This week was the first one for the 2014-2015 school year. The head of the school talked about awareness. Being more present and aware of this moment. Aware of your choices. Paying attention.
I drove home thinking about awareness in my life. Where I can foster it more. What gets in the way of my being more aware?
Then, later in the day, I was talking to a friend from work who’s frustrated with a situation. As we talked, I realized that he was making a mistake I have made in the past. He was too busy complaining about the other person and how this person had to change instead of focusing on himself. When I asked him what he wanted from his own life, he wasn’t sure. He said “if only I knew.”
Awareness.
So I told him that what was getting in his own way wasn’t this other person but his own lack of awareness about what he wanted. His lack of desire/willingness to get that figured out. It’s tough to do this work. Most of us really want to complain and have the situation fixed in the easiest way possible, ideally where we don’t have to do the work but it’s fixed for us. This is why we complain, point the finger, or whine about others.
It’s easier.
I’ve done it a million times myself.
Looking deep down and understanding what you want, what you deeply desire is tough. Figuring out what you’re willing to do to make that happen is even tougher. And doing it is the toughest of them all. But, sometimes, once you know, it’s really easy to take the necessary steps. It’s as if you’re suddenly propelled forward. What was holding you back was really the lack of articulation. Not sorting out what you really want.
As with everything, it all starts with awareness.
So I am doing the same thing myself today. Making a list of my desires. My frustrations. My hopes and dreams. Things I whine about. And then looking at them through the eye of awareness. What do I really want. What’s getting in the way? What am I willing to risk to get what I want?
Welcoming the gift of awareness into my life.
Wow. I have to say that this is one of those moments when I know that their is a higher power (God/fate) at work. I have not visited your blog in a LONG time. I had drifted away from scrapbooking, until today. I decided to hop over as you are one of my favorite blogs/inspirations. That this is the first post I stopped to read. In the last few weeks I seem to noticed my own discontent with work (quit my job), home (decluttering in progress) and NO creative time in forever.
So glad that you took the time to post this. Hope that your friend is able to find his way, hope you are finding yours! Thanks!