"Because, in my experience, if I turn down the hard stuff I inevitably turn down the delicious."
Sometimes it’s not exciting.
The full, authentic life: the gold star of Yes&, my stake in the ground, and my answer to WHY I do what I do.
Elation and happiness are a glorious part of the full, authentic life – YES!
AND, I believe my full, authentic life also includes the less comfortable experiences and emotions: incredible grief, deep-pitted remorse, frustration and heartache, confusion and fear. Sometimes, it’s not thrilling. Sometimes it doesn’t show up through joyous laughter or a content smile as I snuggle up in bed.
Yet, no matter the discomfort, I want it ALL. I do not strive to turn down any feelings or experiences nor eliminate them from my life. Why? Because in my experience, if I turn down the hard stuff I inevitably turn down the delicious.
During a session last week, my client courageously voiced how their 6-month dream was about more than excitement and inspiration. Although these feelings are certainly present, there was also the anticipation of hard work, fear, and discomfort. Of course! That’s the GOOD NEWS! It reminded me of a metaphor offered by Cynthia Occelli, “For a seed to achieve its greatest expression, it must come completely undone. The shell cracks, its insides come out, and everything changes. To someone who doesn’t understand growth, it would look like complete destruction.”
The full human experience, ALL of it, is an incredible gift. In times of delight our gratitude may come more naturally, AND can we extend that same gratitude to all the pain and triggers that act as our guide to be bold, to grow, and transform; to follow our hearts because we also EXPERIENCE the unbearable dissonance of our status quo.
So, yes, the full authentic life is about more than inspiration and contentment. (That is one beautiful, magnificent part. And.) The full, authentic life is so much more.
I aspire to live my life in all its corners. It is my purpose to assist others to do the same.
Comment one word to describe your current full, authentic life experience. Rapture? Sorrow? Fire? Awe?
