4 Questions to Facilitate Change: Where do I most want to be in my life?
Table of contents for 4 Questions to Facilitate Change
- 4 Questions to Facilitate Change: An Introduction
- 4 Questions to Facilitate Change: Where am I in My Life Right Now?
- 4 Questions to Facilitate Change: Where do I most want to be in my life?
- 4 Questions to Facilitate Change: What within me is in the way of getting to where I most want to be?
Where do I most want to be in my life?
Ah, this is the question of all questions. Most times when I ponder this question I can feel my heart soar. Even as I write this and think about the question I can feel my heart wanting to burst out and be free of the limitations of self. I feel like that bird with the broken wing who longs to fly once again.
In the introduction I mentioned that this question leads to a goal or dream but Jean at the cheerfulmonk left a comment that it takes a lot of stress of herself if she focuses “on being curious, exploring and having an adventure rather than pushing for a goal/dream.” Her comment made me think about approaching this question with a sense of wonderment. So, rather than approaching this question as having an end result like a goal I can meditate or think about the question with my heart and spirit opened to the possibilities that exist, not to necessarily limit myself to something tangible.
I read through some of my journals from the empowerment workshops I attended on Friendship Island and I found that the answers to where do I want to be in my life usually were images that were more symbolic and less goal oriented. I’ve already mentioned the bird who wants to soar. I also found a rose bush in full bloom, a diamond that shines brightly even though it’s flawed and an image of myself standing on the front of a large sailboat, arms opened wide to take in the love of others.
But, it has been a while since I’ve been to Friendship Island and when I’ve asked myself this question I’ve fallen into looking for an end point. There is nothing wrong with setting a goal or seeing myself achieve a dream but there are times I can place too much emphasis on a goal or and then be disappointed or even devastated when it doesn’t happen.
Many times when I ponder the question, where do I want to be, I see myself living a healthy life. I see myself eating well, exercising, socializing among friends and family, offering myself to the world as a healthy human being. That is my vision when I put the tangible, the place where I physically want to be. And, when I look at the 3rd question in this series, what within me is in the way of getting to where I most want to be, I will look at the physical things that do get in my way.
Jean has inspired me once again though to open myself to the more spiritual side of this question. I have to let go of the limits of my mind and open myself to the possibilities of the heart. I am open to be awe-inspired. I close my eyes and let go of thoughts and relax with my breathing. When I am relaxed I ask the question simply, where do I most want to be in my life?
I envision myself floating, weightless with nothing holding me down. Others are floating with me, light in spirit. The energy of love flows among us. I feel peaceful yet exhilarated. All is possible within the spirit.
Wow, what a feeling. With my eyes now opened and sharing with you I still feel the energy. Today I will take the vision and feeling of my meditation with me.
Tomorrow, I will look at the 3rd question, what within me is in the way of getting to where I most want to be?
Where do you most want to be in your life? Is it a tangible goal or dream or something more spiritual?
Thanks, Ellen! I want to be right where I am, on a path that feels right to me. That path does include some tangible goals, like continuing to develop my website at StressToPower.com and posting regularly to my two blogs, one at StressToPower.com, the other At CheerfulMonk.com. But they’re just part of the path, which means I just have to play my part well and not worry about the results. It sure does save a lot of stress!
Your using the term “wonderment” really resonated with me. My banner at StressToPower.com says “Reconnecting with wonder, joy and power.” The “power” part had to be there because of the name of the domain, but the “wonder” and “joy” popped up by themselves and had to be included. I still haven’t explained the connection on the site, but that will come in the fullness of time.
I think I’ve mentioned this before, but one of my favorite quotes is by Kathleen Norris: “Prayer is not asking for what you think you want, but asking to be changed in ways you can’t imagine.”
Why limit ourselves to what our tiny, pea-sized minds can come up with?
I like that quote. What I think I want many times is not necessarily what is best for me, especially in the long run. I tend to ask the universe to be open to what comes my way rather than for specifics. The important thing for me is not to dismiss opportunities that are possible. If I go forth single mindedly then I could be missing out on what is better for me and the people in my life.
Years ago I friend told be that part of a spiritual life is having a sense of wonderment, to see things as anew and be amazed. It’s something that has stuck with me and a principle I try to apply in my life.