Learning about myself

I haven't forgotten to write, but I have been so busy trying to digest and distill some of the things that I learned over the past weekend at a seminar that I have been stumped. The seminar was about the energy of money, but it wasn't about investments or anything, but about our relationships with money. The reason I bring it up is that it was applicable to so many things other and more than money.
I found myself thinking about my relationship with my body, and with fitness and health. That's why I mention it. We Project Transformationists are actually learning to have a better relationship with self than the one we have been having. I think that the culture,or society, or whatever you want to call it has set us up to be always disapproving, always disappointed, with what we see and how we are with our bodies. We aren't thin enough, or young enough, or pretty enough. Here I will speak for myself. I can't ever remember a time in my life that I looked in the mirror and loved what I saw. Oh I might like my hair, or the way my make-up looks that day, but never the whole package. There are so many things to pick on. I'm not the size I would like to be, or my arms are flabby, or my legs are too white. The speaker on Saturday brought up the proposition "If I were more relaxed about money [my body], what would I not be doing with it that I am currently doing, and what would I be doing with it that I am not currently doing?" Because I want to put some conscious intentionality into the space.
So substituting our health, or the way we treat our bodies for the subject of money, how are we spending it? The speaker spoke about leaking money. Leaking occurs when you are using it in a way that doesn't bring you enjoyment. She gave the example of spending $7 at Starbucks each day for a coffee and a croissant that you eat without even thinking about it, without enoyment--on the run. I got to thinking about what I do mindlessly with regard to my health--like taking an extra helping that I don't need, or making a choice that might not be in my best interest, or not taking the time to exercise, which will give me energy for further endeavors. Am I leaking my health by sitting in front of the TV mindlessly watching reruns? Am I leaking my health when we I let fear take over thinking that something is too hard for me, instead of going for it. My first hike proved to me that I can get there, even if I have to go slowly. By now, two weeks later, I am already ready to take on Charmlee park. Another really appropos quote: "A moment of discomfort is a small price to pay for enlightenment".
Maria, Saturday's speaker, reminded us that "Success is doing what you said you would do, consistently, with clarity, focus ease and grace." Our six months of building new habits is the opportunity of a lifetime, to take into the future so that we can approve of ourselves, and conquer the hero's path. Speaking for myself, I am attaining clarity, and I am certainly focused. The ease and grace are still to come, but I'm working on it. Goals should be the signposts along the path of your Life's Intention. My intention is to get slim, fit and healthy. The goals are weight loss, eating consciously, exercising regularly, remaining alert and engaged in life and enjoyment. Since Maria gave us the requirements that a goal should meet, I am passing them on to you. A goal should be 1.)specific [I want to lose 10 pounds], 2.)measureable [I have lost 10 pounds], 3.)attainable or achieveable [it's 10 not 100], 4.)relate to a life intention [to be slim fit and healthy] and 5.)time based [I want to do it in 3 weeks]. Remember that we learned that small actions taken can change your life. Don't wait for your self confidence to get better, it will get better with action. We have to remind ourselves that we are in a game worth playing for a goal worth playing for.
I am going to close with what was possibly the best thing I learned this weekend, and that is that It's not necessary to overcome fear, it is always there. It doesn't mean anything, about you, your goals, or your dreams--sometimes it's just a sign that you are doing something out of your comfort zone. Gently shift the focus of your attention from the fear to your life's intention and your goals. When you are feeling fear, that's all it is, it is simply fear. Inevitable obstacles that occur make you stronger. Mastery is about learning to master obstacles--without obstacles there is no mastery.