Embracing Practice

Ray and Isha practicing their handstands

I need new glasses.

My feet are freezing.

I didn’t sleep well. 

The floor is crying out to be vacuumed. I bet you can hear it from there.

Should any of this take precedence over the writing of this newsletter? 

If only writing to you were a practice, rather than a spontaneous need, experienced this time while walking beneath a hawk! If it were set in a well-worn groove, habituated, there would be no need for sudden inspiration and my snarky inner critic wouldn't get to have a say. 

I do have daily practices that are happening with ease. I drink lemon juice every morning, then a big glass of celery juice. I meditate for 20 minutes. These have become as regular as brushing my teeth because I have this amazing routine-loving husband who has joined me in these practices. He can get out of bed before his first thought, something I once heard a wise teacher say was a way to move towards enlightenment. I am down from having 100 thoughts to maybe 10 (have to take time to relive every moment of my dream, for God’s sake!) I only regress into luxurious chunks of pillowed cloudy time on Sundays. Other days, I follow my ‘upholder’ partner’s exemplary lead. I drag myself away from cozy comfort and into the day’s possibility.

To find out if you are an upholder, rebel, questioner or obliger, take this quiz. It helps to know what motivates you as a practitioner. 

I would like my writing practice (meaning personal writing, not only business) to be a daily occurrence. It brings me joy. But unless I have a writing date with an online group or friend, I only sporadically go at it alone. Knowing this about myself, for over a year I have been meeting with three different groups of writers every week online. Accountability helps.

We all know practice works. If you pick something to do every day, or several times a week, it will become easier and more fulfilling. Exercise, healthy cooking, painting or handstands - when you show up regularly, not just your body but also your inner muse becomes more flexible, more available. Consistency provokes trust in ourselves and with trust, the more buried brilliant substance comes forth. 

Of course, we also need to include self-care in our practice : massage, long baths, reading in the backyard with your feet in the grass... My latest was a session of sound therapy with my friend Emily. It was amazing. I felt my worries carried away with the vibrations (the singing bowls are placed on your back) and had more clarity for days. If you're interested, I can give you a more in depth description. 

What practices would you like to embrace?

If you take the quiz, let me know your tendency. As a questioner, I love knowing more about you. 

Love,

Madeline