I feel that I am moving at a much slower pace since returning from Sicily. I just don't feel the need to push, to force, to respond to requests, to emails, to run a to-do list and get anything done. It seems completely ok to sit on my deck and just let my body breath and take in the beauty of summer. I feel this is a great gift I am giving to myself after a few months of much responsibility!
I am one of those folks who often contemplates my to-do list and tries to get as much finished as possible--thinking about all the new programs I should run, classes I should plan, and ways I could "improve my business," in addition to all the things that need to get done around my home. Honestly, I am just tired of all that right now. Sicilians know how to enjoy just sitting and simply being present with family, with food, and with good drink, with laughter. I think to truly understand and live in that quality of presence is more important than any to-do list, any special yoga practice, any spiritual pursuit, or any business plan.
Yes, I am working (I actually took on a new job!) I just don't want to hustle anymore. I don't want to feel the pressure to accomplish, to acquire, to even meet any goals. I want to enjoy what is in front of me and live in a simple way that doesn't cause harm to others.
In the spirit of this calmer frame of mind, I want to share a friend's email that came through which deeply resonated with me. I had the joy of getting to know Daphne Cohn over the course of the pandemic. If you don't know Daphne, you can learn about her here. We have had many conversations—I was in one of her private art groups for a time, and I had the honor of teaching for one of her programs. I think Daphne really understands this slower way of being I described above.
In her email she shared from a writer and teacher that I learned of a few years ago. Anita Moorjani was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2002, and in 2006 she fell into a coma. During her near death-coma, she came to understand why she was sick and how she might choose to live a different way. She gained consciousness, and over the next few months her cancer went into remission. Since then, she has written a best-selling book, "Dying to Be Me," and she teaches about being present and joyful in her living. Learn more about Anita Moorjani here.
My friend Daphne highlighted these three main teachings from Anita that I want to share with you:
Don't force anything. When we chase and pursue things, we are sending ourselves the message that we are not worthy and deserving of being slow and present. All you have to do is be who you are, and whatever is truly yours will come to you. There is no need to force anything at all.
We need to look at the world from an inside-out perspective, not an outside-in perspective. People seem to believe that information is power but intuitive insights can be even more powerful. Too much information from the outside world causes confusion and chaos. We must learn to trust our own intuition and insights.
God is not outside of us. Religion cannot be learned from books, but is about tuning in. We are all expressions and facets of the divine. You don’t have to pray to an outer being to connect to the divine (but of course, it is also beautiful to pray if that feels important). Loving yourself is the same as loving god. The divine expresses itself through you.
I hope these words might inspired you to slow down, enjoy the simple moments, and perhaps strive a little less.
