Before/After
“Begin again. For what you have been doing until now does not matter.” — Epictetus
The Obstacle
It’s the day after Christmas.
All the presents have been unwrapped.
We have given and received new things.
Some of these things are meant to help us on our journey,
others just for fun,
and others because we feel obligated.
These things are new,
but what about us?
We think we’re old.
We think what we are is the accumulation of everything before us and what we’ve become.
The experiences,
the knowledge,
the relationships,
the skills,
they’ve all built up a hard outer shell,
one we feel cannot be shed.
One we feel cannot be shed.
I am the way that I am.
People don’t really change.
You can’t control anything.
That’s just the way it is and this is just who I am…
Christmas is the story of birth.
The Gift and Opportunity
Christmas is the story of birth.
The birth of something new.
Something that literally split time forever. BC/AD
Someone who changed time forever.
Christian or not, this time of year aligns with the winter solstice.
The days begin to get longer.
The new year approaches.
Life starts again.
Winter leads to spring.
Spring births life and the cycle begins…again.
We have this opportunity to start new.
We can look at how we judge.
We can decide not to avoid the hard task, the discomfort of getting in shape, making amends, or starting that project.
We can decide to delegate instead of control.
To not demand perfection in ourselves or others.
We can listen and learn.
Stop the constant worry.
We can say no.
Be still where we are.
We can start new.
This can be the birth of a new us.
We can cast off our shell and find one that fits and serves us better.
The Practice of Self-Mastery
Interrupt automatic identity statements before acting on them
Reclaim attention by doing one necessary thing fully - be where you are
Lead with curiosity instead of judgment
Act as if renewal is possible and allowed…now
CHEAT CODE: STOP → NOTICE → SHED YOUR SHELL → TRY ONE THAT MIGHT FIT BETTER
