Eric closed his eyes as he rubbed his temples for what seemed like
the twentieth time that hour. His life lately resembled an episode
from a daytime soap opera rather than reality. A thought entered
his crowded consciousness: "What is it about me that I can not
have a quiet, calm, uninterrupted life?"
Sheila discussed the twists and turns through the past decade with
her new friend, Danelle, over a Mocha Java at her neighborhood
coffee house. The aroma of baking bread filled the room as her
hands gestured with her eyes wide. Her hearty laugh rose through
the room. Danelle stated simply, "Your life has been anything but
dull! How do you do it?"
Sheila paused as she allowed her warm drink to fill her throat and
chest. Looking contemplative, she softly said, "I would not have it
any other way."
Eric Hoffer, twentieth century American social theorist said,
"The remarkable thing is that it is the crowded life that is most
easily remembered. A life full of turns, achievements, disappointments,
surprises, and crises is a life full of landmarks. The empty life has
even its few details blurred, and cannot be remembered with certainty."
Making the most of your landmark experiences will insure your life
will be both memorable and filled with meaning.
Here is how to maximize your landmark experiences:
1. Facing a landmark experience with gratitude is sure to energize
it towards the positive. Being grateful for something which on the
surface looks contrary to your plan for life is highly unnatural.
Perhaps THIS is why it is so effective. As ridiculous as it sounds,
practice the tiniest gratitude for the situation, and grow that
gratitude daily. You will notice a difference in a short period of
time, guaranteed.
2. Honor the message the landmark experience is sending you.
Instead of pushing through the time or aggressively creating a
struggle, invite the experience to dance. Listen for its rhythm.
Match its movements with your own. Engage it as a partner.
Deciding to honor and respect your experience will bring you
through it more quickly than rushing it: sort of the tortoise and
the hare race in life practice.
3. Remain in integrity throughout your experience. Keep your
balance and focus on the totality of your life, not simply on this
experience. As you persist in a place of gratitude and honor, you
will see that being in integrity is a natural, flowing, peaceful state
when you partner with the twists and turns in your life instead of
viewing life from an adversarial perspective.
4. Steer clear of judgement in relationship to your landmark
experience. Instead of seeing it as completely chaotic or wholly
ridiculous or the most magnificent growth episode ever in your
entire life, simply allow it to be what it is for you in that particular
moment. Over time, your perspective will ripen towards the
proper valuation. While you are in it, allow yourself to simply be
in it without attachment, without evaluation, without analysis.
Jeff was hiking with his younger brothers and sisters as they came
to a stream deep in the woods. Looking to him for guidance, his
sister Molly asked him, "Can we drink from here?"
Jeff surveyed the scene, looking for a spot where there were
plenty of stones for the water to bubble over. "Grandpa used to
tell me to look for the rockiest spot: the water is purest there."
Kneeling down by the water's edge, he cupped his hands and
offered his sister a sip of cold, clear refreshment. The ripples
and rapids made by the rocks naturally purify the water making
the taste crisper and cleaner.
Molly drank the water Jeff offered with reckless abandon. She
got down on her belly so she could peer into the stream and drink
directly from the magical spot where the rough hewn rocks made
the water run true, clear and refreshing.
Your landmark experience, with its jagged edges, unexpected
drops and dips and turns will purify your life experience as well.
When you follow the simple steps outlined here, it will empower
you to lead the life you were meant to live. Take your time to
look from a new perspective. Then take a long, slow drink.
Remember your life. Live it with passion, today.
About the Author
Julie Jordan Scott is a Personal Success Coach who left her career
as a government bureaucrat and built a successful business in less
than six months. She now combines mothering 4 children with inspiring
people worldwide with her books, ezine, teaching and personal coaching.
Visit http://www.5passions.com for free resources for YOUR success
Email her at mailto:julie@5passions.com or call 661.325.4116