Are you where you want to be? Where are you now? Is where you are where you want to be? If not, can you see or feel what’s blocking you from getting what you want?
I have found that when I get stuck in a holding pattern, which is typically triggered by overwhelm, or the thoughts “I should be other than I am now”, I need to take a step back from my life and take stock. First things first.

I moved into a new home this weekend. I moved the boxes in, and let the boxes sit. I went away for a couple of days, acting as if the boxes didn’t exist and acting out in many ways to avoid the overwhelm. As soon as I came in the house, I wanted to go back outside. So, I gardened compulsively, thinking, “I am going to have the best garden ever”. When I got tired of that, I left the house to write. When that didn’t work, I cooked some food, and I ate. And when that didn’t work, I ate a few too many cookies. When that didn’t work, I went to a friend’s house and learned how to finger knit and color pictures of black stallions. When that didn’t work, I listened to my friend tell me that maybe I should unpack the boxes in my house to feel better. I slept on that one, since I have never liked to take advice. I let most of the next day get by, before, after a bit more gardening, journalling and a few more cookies, I decided to just lean into it and clear out the clutter. After 3 days of procrastinating, I went to bed feeling like I was just going to make it and how good it feels to be responsible. I awoke feeling clear on exactly what I need to do today to get things done.

I am sharing this with you to hopefully save you some time and energy. I find that when I do one thing at a time, put one foot in front of the next, and just lean into the fear and take responsibility, that I have a lot more energy. Sometimes you don’t have the time to do everything that needs to be done, and you may feel overwhelmed. Writing down ideas, plans, visions, dreams, and lists is a fantastic tool for clearing away the subconscious and creating a clear path to taking things as they come. This also creates space in the mind for you to be more present and able to listen.

When you paint a picture, it is impossible to paint more than one brushstroke at a time, unless you use more than one hand. Can you see how you can only do one thing at a time and enjoy the process? Even if you are listening, reading, and writing, your brain is only assimilating one bit of information at a time. You will learn, digest and absorb more from your life when you are able to be present. If you are visiting with a friend, you may practice listening to them, by dropping judgements or stories that are going on inside of yourself. If you have written things down, cleared your side of the street, you will be able to be present for the people in your life. When I am resisting responsiblity and being with people, I am rarely able to be present for them, and this causes unrest within myself and is apparent in relationships as I speak more in the I, making myself more important that them.

The process of getting things done requires that you be teachable and that you learn as you go. How you do anything is how you do everything. So if you want to take it all in at once, you most likely are an eat-on-the-go kind of person. What would help slow you down, and maximize your efficiency is chewing your food. Check back on a previous post “Chew Your Way to a Radiant Life” to learn about the benefits of chewing on your metabolism, life and functionality. In going through boxes this morning, I found pencils that say on them “practice chewing”, given to me by a mentor and founder of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Joshua Rosenthal,. I was reminded of how much my life changed when I incorporated chewing into my eating. I started being able to slow down, enjoy the simple things, take life one step at a time, and become more aware of the resources around me. I see Joshua as an expert in getting things done. He has been able to take a vision for a healthier, happier place and educate thousands on how to do this, and have the ripple effect on millions of people across the world. His students are now writing books, starring on health and wellness tv and radio shows, creating magazines and online publications, writing articles and non-profits to create a healthier and happier world. This is all from a group of people who enjoy chewing their food. being able to digest and assimilate life, and inspiring the world and the people in it to slow down.

Enjoy your life. Get things done. Chew well. Keep coming back to learn more ways to create radiance from the inside out!