Making Impressive Sweeping Movements

Today I want to talk about flourishing one more time before I sign off for a little holiday break.  I want to talk about flourishing in the sense of "making impressive sweeping movements" (as per Webster's dictionary) as it relates to the other type of flourishing I've been talking about--growth.

Here are 3 simple ways to make impressive sweeping movements that can have a significant positive impact on your life.

***FLOURISH A WHITE FLAG***

The white flag of course is a symbol of surrender.  I mentioned in yesterday's post what a reflief it is when you finally surrender to the notion that the Universe has got your back.  The first three steps of the 12-step model for recovery from addiction deals with accepting one's powerlessness and surrendering to a higher power.  Notice it's not the middle three or the last three but the first  three.  This is applicable for all of us--not just those that struggling with addiction.   This is a great anxiety-reducer because once you surrender you can finally stop trying to control everything that is beyond your control and trust that things are going to work out one way or another--or at least how they are supposed to.  Then you can go about your life-being productive, having fun, and worrying less.  You'll be doing your part and trusting that you will reach your desired outcome without becoming too hung up on just how and when you're going to get there.  The Universe has got you!

Here's your mantra for this:  Thank you, Universe for always being behind me while moving me forward.  I'll keep doing my part while you keep doing yours.

***FLOURISH THE SWORD OF WISDOM***

I'm borrowing this concept from Buddhism.  The sword that cuts through the ego in Buddhism is called "Prajna" which means "wisdom" or "consciousness."  Cutting through ego using prajna means that you're using wisdom to challenge your limiting beliefs, which the nasty ego is responsible for.  Prajna is inquisitive and curious.  Prajna cuts through faulty cognitions and delusional thinking. 

Buddhists have a process for sharpening the sword of Prajna--or for the non-Buddhist practitioners--deepening our wisdom and understanding.  The three stages of the process are 1. Hearing, 2. Contemplating and 3. Meditating.  Here is how I would suggest you use this process.

1.   Hearing -  So, now that you've surrendered to the voice of the Universe, which comes to you in the form of your inner guide, you must listen to that inner guide or spirit.  This requires a sense of openness and receptivity.  Start by asking your inner guide to speak to you and then really really listen.  and trust.  Listen to this guide only--not the voice of the ego.  How do you know the difference?  Your inner guide will have a loving voice and will have only kind things to say to you and the ego will not...simple as that.

2.  Contemplating - Take what you heard and really mull it over.  Really think about what your inner guide is trying to tell you.  Focus your thoughts deliberately on this piece of intuitive wisdom.

3.  Meditating - This part of the process in Buddhism means that the information you have received and digested has now become a part of you--it is in no way seperate from you.  When you sit in meditation, integrate this wisdom into your very being and allow it to push out the ego's criticisms.  This wisdom becomes love.

***FLOURISH YOUR ARMS***

Now throw your hands in the air!  And wave 'em like you just don't care!!  I will forever be trying to convince people that dancing is the antedote for all woes.  If you are feeling low, put on some LMFAO and "wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle yeah!" until you have completely forgotten what was troubling you.

Dancing is also a great way to process emotions.  I see evidence of this everyday with my clients who have dance therapy sessions with my dear friend, Jessica who is our dance/movement therapist.  It's incredibly powerful.  You don't need music for this but you may want to use the right song to help better invoke the feeling you are processing.  Just try it sometime--fully embody an emotion you are experiencing and allow it to move you.  See how this movement evolves and use it as transformational process.  If you are weeping by the end of it--awesome.

Cool.  Flourish until your arms feel like jello, my friends.  Jello-y arms means growth.  I think.  My metaphor is becoming a little wacky.  Time to go flourish some Christmas cookies into my mouth!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANUKKAH, AND HAPPY KWANZAA!

With tons of love and warmth,

Brooke