Over the month of October the Relationship Alchemy Circle members worked on creating a life vision for themselves. As with all things worth doing, this project had its challenges as well as rewards. Some of the challenges were about time. I heard stories about not having enough time to make a vision board, and laments such as “it takes sooo much time to sit down and write a vision story Kat!”
Some of the other challenges were internal. Some of the women didn't know what they wanted to put on their boards or in their stories. Others had never had any success with visioning and were resistant. There was also the challenge of seeing what was currently missing in their lives. Along with that at times, came the challenge of longing for something they had never yet experienced.
By the end of the month, the rewards starting pouring in. There were inspiring stories of elements of the visions sparking the women into action. Some were reaping the reward that comes when there is absolute clarity on what they desired. Once the resistance was overcome, visions sprang forth magically for some, while others were still learning from the visioning process what they were meant to have as a fulfilling life. That is what seemed to be the most common thread that tied all these amazing visions together. Though each vision was unique in the elements included, they all were pictures painted with words and images of a fulfilling life.
Just like the vision process the real life experience of fulfillment is mixed with challenges and rewards. This is one of the benefits of taking the time to envision. It gives you practice, as well as the inspiration needed to actually live a fulfilling life.
This subject is so important to me and my own purpose here on earth that it is at the heart of the book I am currently writing. The working title says it all to me.
Fulfillment is a High Wire Act!
Creating and sustaining a life that is fulfilling takes a very clear intention. It is not an experience that one can have while sleep walking through life. It is not one that most people are willing to take on. Just like the experience the women in the Alchemy Circle had last month. It is both challenging and rewarding; they go hand in hand.The good news is that the challenges are rewarding, and the rewards are YUMMY!
When I look at what makes a fulfilling life here are a few elements that seem essential and in no particular order. Full Self Expression, Self Love, Self Care, and Balance, which means saying yes and no to the activities that we do, yes and no to the people in our lives, and yes and no to how we live our life on a daily basis. It takes planning and preparation to live a well balanced life. It takes joyful discipline as well.
Next comes emotional and physical fitness. We humans are emotional creatures. It is important to know what we are feeling and have the ability to express our feelings appropriately. That sounds rather stiff perhaps, but my experience has been that when I am in touch with my true feelings and know what information they are conveying to me, I feel so darn good! It frees me up like nothing else. I have found that to do this, it is important to listen to my body. The body never lies! There is a direct connection between our emotions and body sensations that is so helpful to be aware of. This is certainly one of the essential pieces to a fulfilling life!
Last but not least, I believe we need to be aware of and know how to self manage our inner critic, saboteur voice, gremlin activity, or whatever you call that entity that comes up to block your every success and to underline your so-called “failures”. This is actually one of the true dangers of having an inspiring and clear vision of what your life is really meant to look like. It calls out the gremlins every time. The blocks surely come up, and the self-sabotaging behavior is not far behind.
That of course brings us back to where I began. Creating a vision of a fulfilling life can be both challenging and rewarding. Living a fulfilling life is a high wire act that calls for courage! It is not for sissies, that is for sure. Though the rewards can include material wealth, relationship bliss, and business success, it is the feeling of confidence in oneself and the joy of living that are the greatest rewards. In my book, that is something worth putting some effort into!
If you are up for a fulfilling life and would like to begin living one, I hope you will join in the fun this month. Here is one way to begin stepping into a fulfilling life:
Identify the voice of your inner critic. Simply notice when you feel constricted. When you begin to feel hopeless or bad about yourself. What is the voice saying to you? What kind of tone does it have? What are the words it uses? There is no need to make a judgment about this voice because that usually makes it worse! Just notice the voice for what it is, and shift your attention to something that uplifts your spirits.
Cheers,
Kat
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