With the new year, we have another
splendid opportunity to embrace new beginnings, whether rooted in new
goals, or the rekindling of old goals which we never fully answered to.
The significance/practice of "'doing it until it works' - working at
it…working at it…until nothing short of success is enjoyed" can be a
powerful notion, if we choose to make it real. This dynamic of this
outlook is inclusive of a deep awareness of the importance of becoming
more and more skilled in the things that we do in life - most
particularly the healthful things which beneficially contribute to our
quality of life. We CAN chose to lovingly embrace the notion of life
being a highly-evolved art form: We CAN endeavor to selflessly outgrow
our desire for excuses, blame, and complaint. Yes, this IS difficult
stuff, but we CAN take ownership of this healthful philosophy,
realizing it often takes True Effort to succeed...to outgrow bad habits
(making unhealthful practices less and less necessary). It is True
Health through True Responsibility.
At a most difficult level of
True Effort, True Forgiveness of ourselves and others can manifest into
reality: We can alleviate ourselves of this terrible weight. In all, it
is congruent with our True Responsibility of making the world a better
place. In taking the logic a bit further, we can realize that, among our
greatest of responsibilities, we CAN enjoy the dire insight that we
have no excuse but to be justly supportive of others - and how we can
unselfishly and splendidly benefit from this practice. It is allowing
ourselves True Freedom in enjoying life's ultimate gifts.
Too
often we say we want to do something or accomplish something - until we
discover how difficult it is. We realize that the journey toward the
goal or objective is not enough fun - is too complicated - too nasty -
too trying. We so often refuse to enjoy the miracle of the journey
toward the goal - we focus our eye only on the reward - being unwilling
to appreciate and objectively witness the 'big picture.' We are all
capable of looking at this same issue through a more healthful lens:
What a wonderful gift we can allow ourselves if we work toward a goal
while displaying True Appreciation of the Miracle of the Moment… each
moment of the journey. This is impossible all of the time - albeit
recognition of the significance of this practice is a key aspect of a
True Effort which cannot be separated from a healthful means of trying
and achieving. It requires us to learn to better and better embrace our
comfort and discomfort equally, lightening our loads of distastes,
distastes which are often rooted in circumstances which we do not even
recall. Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) made this point: "We are formed
and molded by our thoughts. Those whose minds are shaped by selfless
thoughts give joy when they speak or act. Joy follows them like a shadow
that never leaves them."
According to the philosophy defined
herein, a significant level of True Health clearly reflects the
healthful practice of employing True Effort - and real and substantive
True Effort cannot be realized unless such action is in distinct
congruence with 'doing the right thing for the right sake,' e.g., the
'right sake' being 'without the need for selfish recognition.' Herein,
so-to-speak, our 'load is lightened,' fostering less and less stress and
anxiety - making True Effort possible and actually enjoyable when we
realize a lightness of being, not bogged-down by selfish and/or
emotional baggage …a wonderful, abundant level of healthful true
self-efficacy. In looking at the issue in full circle, doing the right
thing for the right sake, unto itself, when contrasted with other
healthful objectives which we might attempt, is among the most difficult
- requiring an amazing amount of effort. Albeit, nothing will better
enforce substantive realization of comprehensive and genuine health and
wellness.
If we wish to take True Responsibility for our own
health and wellbeing, then it may be possible that we can learn to
mindfully and objectively witness and make real the notion that life
should be the highest of art forms: The more and more selfless one
becomes in creating one's art form, the more and more beautiful and
healthful the art, the artist becomes. It is learning to Play the Part
of the Perfect Witness - to oneself and the world in which we are an
integral part. It is an outlook which is unblemished and light. It is
True Honesty…learning to prefer to not be weighted-down by desire of
recognition for one's good work/effort. It is a significant key to
unlocking the door to True Health.
When making healthful positive
changes in one's life, it is of great importance to be truly
appreciative of the miracle of being able to do so. This is a gift made
real by our own efforts and by the efforts of others. True Health is
being a loving witness to the process and knowing not to be afraid of
the notion that there is always room for improvement (which may be among
our greatest blessings on this Earth).
It is amazing what
we as human beings can accomplish when we do not give up.
Notwithstanding, we often display little faith in the obvious potential
benefits of making healthful changes in our lives. We have the strength
and wherewithal to succeed in any goal we set for ourselves, if we are
willing to 'do it until works,' never giving up. It won't ever work
otherwise. This New Year can be special, it CAN be different, if take
true responsibility and make it so. What a beautiful blessing! What a
beautiful gift we can allow ourselves. The below saying speaks well to
this point:
The Lotus Flower Blossoms (as set forth in Chapter XV of my new book):
There
is a place where, wherever you are there, whatever you are doing…no
matter what, in any given moment, there should be nowhere you would
rather be. It is where you are right now - and you have the ability to
so deeply and artfully appreciate your life and its living…to connect
one healthful insight to the next, and make them all one…learning to
witness this already-existing truth.
In the wilderness of our
existence…a place of budding flowers about, about to unwrap in a showing
of perfect appreciation for all to thrive upon, we are the flowers
which can blossom again and again in each season of our deeper and
deeper insights…all connected…each better and more healthful than
before.
It is not unlike Heaven…and it can become Heaven, with
enough insight and appreciation. It takes quite a few sparks, glimpses -
spine-tingling moments…as a way-of-life which becomes more and more
purposeful…more and more without time or space or distance. More and
more there is less and less to hide behind.
