I thought meditation was the key.
Westwood Lake, Nanaimo BC @ Bethlehem Retreat Center

I thought meditation was the key.

This was hitting home again… particularly this past week as I was in Nanaimo, British Columbia on retreat.

I’ve been on retreats many times… but this one was very different.

In a quest to “find myself” and to figure out how to do Life with more ease, joy and less suffering, I’d studied yoga and meditation.?

I became a yoga teacher and certified as a meditation teacher.?

I practiced both religiously and learned beautiful things.?

But it didn't change my life.?

And some days it even became a task on my “to-do” list (which I wouldn't let myself acknowledge because that’s not how you're supposed to do it. ??)

I’d been living on the hamster wheel focused on maintaining success, seeking fulfillment and driven by some shadow parts of myself that I was vaguely aware of.

I thought doing yoga and meditation would fix my brokenness and not enoughness.

?? Perhaps you too have invested time, energy and money, desperately hoping that it will make life easier, give you more of you??

Silent meditation retreats. A course on abundance. Jewelry containing a gem that will connect you to your higher self. Affirmations.?

These things aren’t the problem - you get to have, do and be everything that delights your heart.?

?? The problem is, when we look to these things to fix, change or transform our lives.?

This is based on a belief of ‘not enough-ness’... of needing to be fixed… and seeking the “fix” outside of ourselves.

That’s what was so different this time.?

I attended this retreat knowing my own wholeness. That I’m enough. That I was never broken.

?? How would you live your life differently if you knew, without a doubt, that you are already everything that you’ve been looking for?

Burnout or living in survival mode is painful… and there is a path to more ease, joy and aliveness. It’s ridiculously simple… but it requires a mentor to help you see the places where you’ve been hiding from yourself.

If you know something needs to change so that you can live a life you love, I urge you to take action now.

?? I invite you to download The Empowered Business Owner: How to Preserve Your Passion and Purpose… without burning out.?

This tool provides a self assessment, next steps to prevent burnout and tips to support you.

Questions? I love hearing from you - send me a personal message!

_____________________

To my colleagues who've listened with curiosity and reflections, Veronica Drake Whitney Doherty M. Shannon Hernandez Amy Collette Claudia Mariano Annie P. Ruggles

Whitney Doherty

* Fractional Chief Strategy Officer & ????? ??? ????????? * Skilled at expanding your market & revenue streams w/collaborations, partnerships & innovative thinking. Let me help you connect the dots you can't see.

7 个月

I love these reflections Ann Becks and agree with Veronica Drake - it is part of the human condition in today's world but seems exponentially tougher IF you are trying to 'awaken' - the whole idea of our programming that tells us we are 'broken' if we aren't a certain way is challenging to stay neutral with - which I think it the key. And when we dig in and peel back the layers, it seems to expose so much more. A process for a lifetime.

Rashmir Balasubramaniam

On a mission to support 100k female founders, leaders & changemakers in elevating their leadership and impact | ex-Gates Foundation, ex-socent founder | coach, educator, facilitator | Non-Executive Director

7 个月

This is beautiful Ann. You are enough. No one is broken. We are all works in progress. more joy, ease and aliveness is possible for all. It begins within.

Amy Collette

? The Book Alchemist for Soul-full Leaders ? Book Writing Coach ? Publishing Consultant ? Speaker ? Author

7 个月

Yes, I love your perspective, Ann Becks . Nothing outside ourselves can "fix" us. Thank you for sharing your insight in this article ?

Veronica Drake

Spiritual Director | Founder, School of Spiritual Arts | Intuitive Guide & Burnout Mentor for Physicians | Guiding Leaders to Trust Inner Wisdom & Reconnect with Purpose

7 个月

I feel these words to my core. I've lived them. I'm beginning to feel that this search is part of the human condition and learning to manage the feelings IS part of the human curriculum. I was literally just listening to the Tao. I feel like we are given breadcrumbs throughout life through various forms, and our whole purpose is to put the pieces together in the unique way that fit for each of us. Understanding ourselves, and what makes us tick may not be the point, but rather letting ourselves just be. The more we search for something I feel like the more elusive it becomes. Why not let it find us.?? Thanks for a great article Ann. Really got me thinking.

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