Intimacy, Relationship, Focused Prpose: Bualancing passion, purpose and relationship for an abundant life!
-Anna, Breitenbush Hot Springs, OR
Pulling the Thread
-By Angel True
I work a lot with people who have reached significant turning points in their lives. Some are at the point of making changes in their career to lead a more sustainable life, others have reached critical tolerance for old patterns and ways of living they no longer wish to engage, and others still have simply decided they need new goals, projects and perspectives. The common theme I've notice lately with both those I work with as well as others is seeing life as a tapestry.
When viewed with sufficient perspective life appears much like a tapestry - woven and intertwined. Undoubtedly this comes as no surprise to you as this is an idea popular in folklore and mythology as well as popular ideology. But what might come as a surprise is how frequently this important tool can be neglected by those actively creating change.
It's kind of like that old song…"The hip bone is connected to the…" Your life is connected in much the same way. You already know that stress at work can lead to stress and discomfort in your personal life. It also can cause high blood pressure and relationship discord upon occasion as well as a whole host of other interactions and reactions in your life. So why is it so difficult to use this knowledge to generate change?
The simple truth is that while you might be able to see the cause and effect in one situation, really understanding what thread of your life affects which part can be far more difficult than it might first appear. Just like a tapestry that has an intricately detailed picture your life has many threads that weave in and around each other. So if it's so complicated yet so integral how do you actually figure out how to use this tool?
To begin with take some time to notice the patterns of your life. How does the food you eat affect your mood? Are you a caffeine or alcohol consumer and how does that impact your energy level? Which relationships do you commonly interact with and what feelings does this bring up? Do you exercise or meditation regularly and how does this affect your energy, general health, concentration and sleep? How many hours a week do you work and what is your typical schedule? What is your internal dialogue, what triggers it and how does it affect your choices? How do you feel about your job, relationship, yourself, your friends, your family and your home and how do these emotions drive your behavior?
We have hundreds of interactions in our life every single day. The key to finding the right thread to pull for the right impact in your life is all about understand where the interactions are. By taking time to notice your life and comparing it to how you've made choices in the past and how others you observe make choices you'll begin to uncover the patterns of living you inhabit. Try keeping a journal to see what patterns you notice, ask friends and family for their observations and invite coworkers to give you constructive feedback.
Once you find these patterns you can start experimenting with changes. Just take small steps, ask for help and be aware of what's most important to you!