Yoga Pants and Half-assery!

 
   Are you holding back or going all in? And do you want to?



Recently I decided that I wanted to change some habits, change some outcomes and in general get it in gear! I know from my NLP training that one great way to do this is to Model the behavior of people who are achieving the results that I want. It's also one thing to KNOW  and another to actually DO!

     I decided that rather than jump into major changes, like I usually do only to give up at the first sign of aggravation, that I would simply "notice". Notice what I do and then ask my self the Dr. Phil question, "How's that working for you?!" Yes it's true, the little voice in my head can be quite sarcastic! Right away I liked this practice, because I wasn't instantly wrong, I get to think about whether  what I am doing, thinking or being is something that is "working" for me or not. Then gently, I get to ask myself what might work better, or what does a person do who gets amazing results in this area. Or even consistent results. Here is where the yoga pants come in....

     YOGA.......well that is a whole subject unto it's self.  I had been thinking it was a good  idea  for years. It sounds all Zen and peaceful, but for those of us who have an inherent fear of  yoga pants the idea can be daunting."So what does a person do who wants to have more strength, flexibility and a yoga butt?", I ask myself. They slap on some yoga pants, find a studio and go!

      So I did! With the help of a friend I found a lovely studio with an even more lovely instructor. The type of yoga works for me too, slow, gentle and very informative. I discovered right away, well after the struggle of the first three classes, that I could use some deep breathing during class and get a sort of meditation out of the class too. Score! I decided that this IS in alignment with what I want to create for myself. (Internal High Five!)

     Good so far. Meanwhile.......my normal behavior in any exercise class is to watch the clock for, "How much longer do I have to do this?" As well as, "How much can I do so I look as though I'm working hard, but not actually go all in?" Thus the Half- Assery.... Now, even I can see that this isn't the behavior of a dedicated Yogi or anyone who achieves the highly sought after yoga butt!

     OH NO! As a side note, this opened up the question, "Am I a Half- Asser in other areas?" Hmm... maybe I'll watch out for that from now on.......

     Back in the yoga studio,  I asked myself the "question" and decided that I could focus a little more and maybe hold the poses thru the "burn". Maybe I could deepen my breath and move through the poses as though I meant it! Now this wasn't a great discovery in a deep meditation. I didn't go to therapy to figure it out. I didn't even phone a friend. I simply asked myself what can I do in this moment to be more true to what I want and who I intend to be. It was a split second question and answer, then a decision in the moment to make a different choice. Hmm... interesting. Are there other areas that I could do this same thing?

     It didn't change the world, at least I haven't seen evidence of this yet, but it did change my inner landscape. After giving the pose that I was in my full attention and effort, I felt an instant sense of accomplishment and I wanted more! Who knew it felt great to go all in?  And in yoga pants no less! I no longer even have the desire to Half-Ass it in yoga class! I  kind of enjoy actually doing it like I mean it! Oh and don't tell anyone, but I even look forward to yoga class! I want to see what else I can do!

     If you have experienced wanting to make changes only to want to make those same changes for 20 years, you might like this simple exercise too!

     It's quite easy since you don't have to plan anything in advance. You don't have to read any book. There is no new methodology or church to join. You simply ask  yourself the question in the moment. Am I giving this my all? Or Is this what a successful person would do in this moment? Or  Is there a different choice I could make right now? Then wait for the immediate answer that WILL come. Then choose to do it differently. right now, this time. Just try it on, if it works you have a new pattern. If it doesn't choose again!

You might be surprised what happens and quickly....I truly am!

Liz Larson
transformoneidea@gmail.com

Life Design Strategist
NLP Master Practitioner

The Ugly Truth About My Gratitude Journal

 The Ugly Truth About My Gratitude Journal                                          Is......

                            

That it's empty! Yep nuthin', niente, nada! Okay, I said it! It's out there! 

Wait! Before you sentence me to 1000 Hail Mary's or a month in an Ashram, let me plead my case!

I tried.......a little..........I did, but I just couldn't get into it. I first heard about the Gratitude Journal on Oprah many years ago. I loved the stories about how it transformed lives and made people beautiful and wealthy, so of course I was on board. I bought the prettiest journal I could find, okay a nice one, okay  a new note pad......... and I sat down to make my list. I added my family, who happened to be irritating me at the moment. I added my house, which needed work. I added my friends, who hadn't been there for me lately. I'm sure you're starting to see the pattern . I started to feel terrible! It just wasn't the transformational journey I was hoping for. I tried many times after that.... well about once a year, and then I would remember,I just don't like it. It didn't feel genuine. I felt like I was betraying the "Well Being" community, so for all of this time I have kept this truth as my own deep dark shame. Until today! 

Today I found myself being grateful for a "Good Eyebrow Day"! Similar to a good hair day, but you can't put eyebrows back in a ponytail if they are unruly. I have been at war with my eyebrows lately. It got so bad that my friends were buying me the newest and latest products, in hopes of quelling the constant whining. I tried them all, thinking I had  relatively good eyebrow skills, to no avail. I was beginning to think I would have to accept that I was living with bad brows. Then it happened! This morning I tried one of the myriad of products in yet another way and.....tada.......Fairly Normal Eyebrows! I found myself celebrating! And it hit me, this is gratitude! I am grateful for normal brows!

While it was a very small victory, I really took the time to feel grateful! I didn't need to write it down in a journal, I just needed to  be in the moment of , YES! I realized that I often take a minute to be in the YES. Little celebrations and occasionally victory dances when my garden blooms, when I get a bit of good news, when my pants are looser than yesterday........ 

In the end I'm not anti-gratitude! I just don't connect with putting it in a journal. What a relief! I can rejoin the ranks of the "Well Intentioned" with my head held high. 

My call to action-

If you've been hiding Gratitude Journal Shame, have heart! There is hope! I encourage you pay attention to the little ways you celebrate the YES with your private and public victory dances, your secret fist pumps, your under the breath Whooo Hooos.

Liz Larson
transformoneidea@gmail.com

Life Design Strategist
NLP Master Practitioner

Treasure Hunt

Take your Mind on a treasure hunt

Have you ever felt stuck? Wanting to move forward, create change, or achieve a dream but can’t seem to get out of your own way?

 In these moments everything seems overwhelming, too big and impossible. If you just had one good idea or even just a little help you could break free of your funk!

 What if all the resources you need were in the backyard of your own mind! Would you be up for a little backyard mining expedition?

What better than to be able to go inside and find all of the things we need to create a forward movement. After all, isn’t forward movement what we’re looking for? Momentum? We can’t feel stuck when we are moving forward. Anything we can do to get moving in the direction of our desires feels like relief! Relief is a good thing!

So here is the premise, throughout our lives we each have positive influences and experiences that have shaped us into the people we are today. We often talk about the negative things that  influenced us, but not the positive. Here’s your chance to remember what shaped your confidence, your awareness, your brilliance!

I recently had the chance to go down this positive memory lane. I saw a woman at a distance in the line at the grocery store.  I recalled, when I was about 13 she owned a sort of salon. She was putting on fashion shows with the unique clothing she carried. She asked my Mom if I could attend her modeling school and be in her Fashion Shows. It was an amazing experience for me!

 As I thought back on her and the opportunity she gave me, I realized how it had shaped me in a positive way. It taught me poise and was a great confidence booster for an awkward  teen. This thought sent my mind on a treasure hunt of my past.

 I thought about the Kindergarten teacher that asked me to sing for the class when I forgot my show and tell item, the Music Director that asked me to sing for a Spring Show in the 1st grade, dance recitals and a debate coach, being the MC for Fashion Shows I organized in High School, Swing Choir and the list goes on and on.

Every experience taught me what I needed to know to be right here right now willing to talk to Millions on You Tube or a room of 1000’s live.

This brief trip into the Gold Mine in my own mind taught me that I can find support for new ideas and desires within myself. What a way to feel great about myself and my abilities any time I want! It’s also a great way to have gratitude for the many, many people that supported and taught me along the way.  I simply need to search my memories for the resources that are just waiting to be rediscovered.

So take yourself on a Treasure Hunt in your mind Today ! Here’s how to start:

1.     Think about a new project, desire, or idea that you want to move toward.

2.     Consider what resources you might need, like confidence, the ability to learn something new, a

particular skill  or knowledge…….etc.

3.     Pick one resource for a place to start and begin mining your memory for a time when you had just this resource.

4.     Use this as a launching pad and then begin to connect the dots, directing your mind to find others that match up. Start at the earliest age you can remember and move toward the present. Gather up even the smallest of positive lessons and experiences that support your new goal.

5.     Feel great about yourself and your new endeavor!
     See Liz on Video:at You Tube

Liz Larson

transformoneidea@gmail.com

Life Design Strategist

NLP Master Practitioner

An Old Promise- A message from the universe.

Have you ever met someone, even in passing, who impacted you greatly? Without that meeting you might have missed your calling or taken another path? Sometimes you feel like you've known them forever and it's only been 30 seconds and sometimes you never see them again. Have you ever helped someone or known exactly what to say in the right moment? I think this little poem explains it all..............



I Promised a million years ago or it might have been yesterday or maybe in a dream, that I would be here Today, on This Hour, in This Moment to remind you of who you Really Are.

You said that you might get wrapped up, distracted or forget entirely why you came, what you wanted to do, or who you meant to be.  You said that you might need a reminder, a clue, or someone to shout for you to get back on your path. 

I Promised I would be here, on This Day, in This Hour, at
This Moment.

You began to worry, if I am lost, or turned around, or in great despair or if I am in Love or chasing a Dream, or Jumping from a Plane how will I know you?

I smiled knowingly and began, I will be the "right turn only" sign when you've asked "which way". I will be the song on the radio crooning "turn around" in your moment of confusion. I will be the phone call of a long lost Friend when your 
Heart is the heaviest. 
I will be the "I've known you forever" feeling of a brand new love. I will be the inspiration in your Wildest Dream. And I will be the Parachute when you exit the plane.

And then you asked, and where will you be until then? I was thoughtful for a moment and then I understood. I will be the light in a perfect Sunset. You will see me in the smile of an impossibly beautiful child. The petals of an exquisite flower will remind you of me. But most of all I will be the suspicion that you are not alone, the memory that you are loved, and the joy of every triumph.

And you will instantly Know that... I promised to be here on This Day, in This Hour, and at this Moment to Remind you of Who You Really Are.

Liz Larson
transformoneidea@gmail.com

Life Design Strategist

NLP Master Practitioner