F-word Choice; Inspired tool for flourishing in a busy, interesting life

I'm inspired to share a nugget from today that could be helpful to you.

This morning was an F-word choice opportunity. Developed this "turnaround tool" many years ago. We always have a choice ofFrustration or Fluidity (or some other F word you may know of?)

Must be something in the air this morning – I missed my alarm and woke up 10 minutes before 8am client. 9am person said her hair was on fire (for understandable reasons), so I encouraged her to take a breath and see if it was best to reschedule, which she agreed. 10-11:30 conference call got cancelled by the host last minute. And then the noon client needed to cancel (unexpected, urgent work priorities). She graciously acknowledged the cancellation policy as needed. I encouraged her to breathe and "Give yourself a mini coaching session in order to dive into all of these curve balls well!  Apparently I tell people to "breathe " a lot. Guilty :-) I also broke the Guinness world record for making a protein shake and tea, grabbing vitamins, brushing teeth, bathroom, and getting coaching notes ready in 8 minutes. We are appropriately calm, still and meditating,  or in action as needed, hmm? Of course these are minor things. There are other real life challenges that call for Fortitude and Forgiveness. Everything is an opportunity to learn, grow in mastery over the ego's reactions and make the wiser, healthier choice. Blessings- in disguise sometimes.

Fluidity over frustration is one of the keys to inspired living and sustainable success.  Yes, we are human and get our moments. Yet, it's so great (guess I'm avoiding the word "empowering" that would be perfect here. If anyone has finally come up with the vocabulary alternative, please share)  to know you always have a choice to manage your own energy! It’s one more reason there’s a chapter in the Wake Up Inspired book titled, "Having a Plan is Not the Answer." An enjoyable, productive life requires fluidity rather than rigid attachment to a specific outcome or schedule. We want to stay on the surfboard of awareness-responsibility-choice, not get too stressed  or let external circumstances dictate our state of being and ability to respond (Response - ability). We also want to allow room for wonderful synchronicities we could never plan. This sounds obvious, yet it’s fascinating to watch ourselves actually practice it (or get tangled up in our shorts when we don’t).

Try this:

When things don’t go according to your original agenda, truly pause and notice your response options.  If this works for you, imagine you have an inner wisdom, optimal energy management team (or some sort of higher support) helping to orchestrate the day, giving you opportunities to make choices, to flow with what is, what could emerge to create positive flow rather than constriction. Who knows- maybe there's a divine order sort of flow also relevant when life does not happen exactly as we scripted it to, especially if the ego con artist was the main script supervisor, hmm? We get taught that control leads to success. False. Play with this perspective: Letting go of rigid attachments allows for what wants to emerge or best possibilities to flow forward.

What is your next best investment of energy?

Continue playing with this idea of choosing fluidity over frustration. Jot down insights and discuss what you are discovering with an open-minded support buddy. What has this experiment taught you? What beliefs or habits would serve you well moving forward?

“The soul has two eyes,” says Meister Eckhart: “one looking inwards and the other looking outwards. It is the inner eye of the soul that looks into essence."  This is our choice- where to look, where to seek the right thing to think, say, do. There are no small choices. Everything either lifts us up or pulls us down. Each of our choices to forgo the donut, transcend procrastination, or mute the insulting remark all adds up to a more harmonious world. Fulfilling life for all.  What choices will you make this week?

All the best,
Marian

p.s. Here's another fluidity example: Once upon a time, I was supposed to be on vacation for a week, trying to create that without leaving home. Thought I’d sneak in a couple work calls one morning, a little admin and then head for the beach. In reality, I found myself wanting to respond to timely opportunities via email, get more work accomplished.  At 1pm there's that F-word moment of choice regarding how to spend the rest of the day.

I looked at my calendar with this huge "OFF" marked in it. And just added "ICE" to the end with a smiley face.

So, I surrendered to what IS, choosing to be fully present and willing to do "OFFICE"  joyfully. And enjoy "OFF" the next day, thru weekend. I could have chosen to boogie to the beach. Or to stay in the office with resentment and martyrdom. Neither of those felt like the optimal, self-loving, smart energy management choice. As we keep observing our habits, choices, consequences, we grow beyond our default patterns and evolve into smart energy masters- Chief Inspiration Officers :-) creating well being for ourselves and becoming better contributors to everything around us. Hey that deserves another F word-Fantastic! May the Force be with you and have Fun.

 (part of this post adapted from previous blog essay)