Transformation Week 1

“Always say “yes” to the present moment. What could be more futile, more insane, than to create inner resistance to what already is? what could be more insane than to oppose life itself, which is now and always now? Surrender to what is. Say “yes” to life — and see how life suddenly starts working for you rather than against you.”

—Eckhart Tolle

What do you want to transform in your life?  Sometimes what we think the focus “should” be on is not what matters or where we need to begin.  This month we will focus on transforming. Consider it as the life span of a butterfly, it begins slowly, a process. There is no rushing the process of egg, larva, pupa, and finally adult. We humans want to rush the process of transformation, not noticing all the beauty, richness, and even loss along the way.

How can we break this cycle of rushing, and sometimes not accomplishing the result we intended? We may fall into the trap of becoming disillusioned by our immediate expectations, and then lack of completion.  Perhaps we approach transforming differently.

First, contemplate an area of your life that is not working, if we can choose to let go, a foundational component of mindfulness, what no longer serves us becomes our first step to renewal. Choose a small area to let go of, for example, not recognizing the power of the present. Instead, look at every minute as a new opportunity. Place reminders around your work area, at home, in the car, or on your phone. Think:  I have this minute, to try something new or to think differently. If you forget, you have the next minute to try again. When you start to fall into the cycle of rushing again, remember the butterfly.