Practising Alignment.

Recently I noticed a stark misalignment between my actions and my aspirations, a disconcerting rigidity and an inclination towards judgment.

I embarked on a journey of introspection, contrasting my current self with the person I was just a year ago, I couldn't help but recognize significant shifts in my behaviour and decision-making process, as well as in my pursuit of personal goals.

A year ago, I relocated from one suburb of Auckland to another, not a monumental geographical shift but one that carried the potential for a transformative impact. The change in environment, my new house, and the different settings had triggered a subtle metamorphosis within me. It was as if my mental landscape had been marked with traffic cones and detour signs, akin to a bustling city undergoing construction.

To understand the nature of this transformation, I began by revisiting the habits I once held dear and examining the excuses that prevented me from embracing them now.

One such habit, deeply ingrained in my routine for years, was the simple act of making my morning coffee and stepping into my backyard. There, I would connect with the earth by grounding my bare feet in the grass for a mere 5 to 10 minutes. It was my daily ritual, a ritual that instilled in me a sense of grounding, connection with nature, and the courage to inhale calmness while exhaling fear, worry, and doubt.

Yet, I had abandoned this cherished habit shortly after settling into my current home. Why? The answer lay in a fear that gripped me—fear of judgment from my neighbours, a fear that they would label me and distance themselves from me. Why did I harbour this fear? Because the neighbourhood I now resided in was, in my perception, affluent and 'well-off,' a notion common among many New Zealanders.

This perception, along with the assumptions I had hastily woven into the fabric of my mind, had unwittingly transferred control over my actions from my heart to my anxious thoughts. I found myself relinquishing the practices that had once shielded me from anxiety and stress, only to become ensnared by them once more.

It was a little over three or four weeks ago when I finally decided to resurrect that abandoned ritual.?

I no longer cared about the opinions or comments of others.?

What truly mattered was breaking free from the chains of self-judgment and judgment of those around me.?

My renewed commitment was a declaration—an affirmation of my intent to live in alignment with my deepest values and aspirations.

From this realization flowed an abundance of new connections, fresh perspectives, invaluable learnings, moments of genuine laughter, and enriching conversations. It became abundantly clear that where I reside today is precisely where I need to be to continue crafting the best version of myself.

That, to me, is what truly matters.

Ask yourself: What have I ceased doing that once nurtured a better version of myself? Have I ascended to new heights, or have I unwittingly surrendered control?

Aroha nui,

Silvana