India Journal: From Resistance to Revolution
In the last India Journal: The People That You Meet, I shared the story of a random meeting with an unknown uncle. The chance encounter gave me a new frame of reference for my adventure in India, and opened my heart and mind to the possibilities around me.
I loved being in Rishikesh. For a month I woke up early in the morning went to a meditation group, followed up with a yoga class and had breakfast. In the afternoon I would meet with an ayurvedic doctor, take an additional yoga class or two, wander into Laksman Jula, rest and have lunch. The evening was filled with conversation, song, quiet reading, chanting, aarti or a lecture, dinner and sleep.
Almost none of these activities had a place in my New York life. Even when I took a yoga class, I usually rushed in and scurried back to the pounding beat of my life. Conversations, which I love, more often than not ,were rife with complaints (mine or others). But in Rishikesh, the rhythm was gentle and healing. Every aspect gave me space to unwind all the tension and chaos in my being. I arrived early to classes and allowed myself to be absorbed into each posture. Conversations were engaging, curious and joyful (even those they existed only in my own head).
And then one morning, I woke up and was met by a familiar feeling: resistance. The feeling stayed with me all morning, lifting only as I walked back from class with the sun shining on my face. A few more days passed before the feeling resurfaced. This time it was evening, the sun had set and I was reading in my room when my mood shifted. I went to bed early and woke with a sense of frustration and sadness. I missed meditation that morning and carried the cloud with me well into the day.
Unencumbered by the distractions and busyness of my regular life, I caught on to the shift and decided to pay closer attention to my mood and what was happening to my cheery disposition. It didn’t take long to figure out the culprit. A week of noticing, and I quickly realized that I was reacting to the change in weather. Now on the surface, that might seem both obvious and trivial, however it was neither. I knew I didn’t like cold weather, but I had not realized how much of an impact it had on my temperament, my behavior, my outlook and my energy.
Think about it, when we are unhappy with our surroundings or circumstances we may recognize our discontent, but think no one else notices. Our frustration comes out in different ways, perhaps we are short with those we love, or overly critical of those around us, or simply carrying a negative mood. We are so busy with all we have to do, we don’t take the time to notice what is happening, never mind think of an alternative.
In the flow of Rishikesh, I was able to take notice and determine, that while I thought I would be there longer, it was time for a change. Noticing didn’t make it easy. I didn’t know where to go, I hadn’t made alternative plans, but I knew this adventure would not be all it could be if I stayed on the same path. I began to research and ask questions. I thought about what I required and who might be able to help. I considered my constraints and acknowledged my fears – and then I moved into action. I found my next destination – a little fishing village in Kerala, India.
When I called to make arrangements, I was informed there were no vacancies. Undeterred, I continued to call each afternoon, only to be told the same thing. I don’t know if was the tenacity of my New York upbringing, the stubbornness of my Sicilian side, the intuition of my feminine being or simply Karma – but after a week and a half the young man on the other end of the phone informed me I was welcome to come for a stay. I was elated and began making plans.
When the plane landed in sunny Kochin, I still had hours of travel ahead of me, yet I felt buoyant, joyful and calm. Over the next five months of my stay, I learn again and again how easy it was to navigate to a place that allowed me to thrive if I simply took the time to notice.
Vibrant, Vital and Valued
I recently picked up The Time Paradox by Philip Zimbardo and John Boyd. It has been an fascinating read that builds nicely on the theme of the last India Journal: We’re Not In Kansas Anymore and explores our attitudes about time.
Dr. Zimbardo is well-known for the infamous Stamford Prison experiment in the early 70s, which investigated the power that social situations have in influencing behavior of ordinary people. Of the experiment, Zimbardo says:
…even though the student-prisoners knew they would be part of this experiment for only a limited time, they didn’t behave that way. They behaved as if they were trapped. Although the prisoners cold have escaped their dismal daily grind by sharing with other prisoners their past identities and future hopes for when the experiment would be over, they rarely did so. …these mock prisoners had quickly imprisoned themselves in despair by focusing on very recent negative experiences of only days in a mock prison.
Dr. Boyd joined Dr. Zimbardo in ‘94 and together the duo has expanded our understanding of time perspective and its power to influence how we navigate our lives. In a part of the book that discusses Making Time Matter, they write: (more…)
India Journal: Where No One Knows Your Name
Even if you haven’t seen this bing commercial yet, you most certainly have felt this way at one time or another…
There was a time when I felt completely overloaded. It seemed as though it was never quiet enough to hear myself think, to hear that voice inside. There was always a distraction. Television. Internet. iPod. Radio. Busyness. Conversation. Meetings. Even the squeal of the subway. Distraction found me with ease…and sometimes, I was looking for it.
But then something happened. I remembered a time when I could hear myself. When I recognized my own voice and learned to use it, trust it, believe it, enjoy it.
I was an introverted, quiet, studious woman. And then I moved to Italy, a place where no one knew me or the roles I played in life. No one knew I was the shy sister, the serious student, the sensitive daughter. Being in a place where I was no longer expected to be a certain way, I learned who I actually was…extroverted, humorous and strong! More importantly, I learned (more…)
Your Personal Revolution Take Action Plan
Back in December in the post Time to Plan Your Resolution Revolution I warned you this day would come. I know you skipped over my admonishment and went straight to the Three Step Resolution Revolution Plan. You were sure that this year would be different. Yet here it is, early February and Resolution Remorse has replaced your Revolutionary Zeal.
This week, to help you move a little further down the road, I am going to give you some tips on staging an effective REVOLUTION! Again, I’ll ask you to start with the Three Step Resolution Revolution Plan in the Time to Plan Your Resolution Revolution post.
In the first step I walked you through Taking Inventory of 2008 and in the second step I asked you to Balance the Budget by considering what you want to cultivate in your life throughout 2009. This time, as you move onto the third step Stage a Revolution creating your plan of action, I am going to ask you to dig a little deeper.
In step two you are left with a list of things you would like to cultivate in ‘09. This time, as you move into step three – creating a Take Action Plan – make sure your plan has the following four level of depth: (more…)
Where is Your Moon?
You may ask yourself – where’s my moon, my levee, my dream?
Well it’s here, with you. Step forward.
As the economic news confronts us each day we may be tempted to focus on what we cannot do, the obstacles. It is more important than ever to turn our attention to our moons, levees and dreams. To bring our energies to bear in service to our personal and collective visions of the future.
There are things that may have be placed on hold…but that doesn’t mean we stop all action. We can keep planning, connecting and taking steps forward. In fact, staying in motion is the key to success!
If you are looking for a bit of inspiration, check out USAService.org – you’ll be amazed how much doing something for others boosts your energy and renews your spirit!
The First 100 Days
President Obama started his First 100 Days in office and made his first proclamation:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 20, 2009, a National Day of Renewal and Reconciliation, and call upon all of our citizens to serve one another and the common purpose of remaking this Nation for our new century.
A day of Renewal and Reconciliation for us all. A day to consider our common purpose. A day to reflect upon President Obama’s words to us yesterday:
What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.
A day of renewal seems like the perfect time to start your own First 100 Days.
What will you commit to creating in your life and community in these next 100 Days?
A good place to start might be on the new WhiteHouse.gov website – check out The Office of Public Liaison; Intergovernmental Affairs (OPL-IGA) set up by the new administration to facilitate communication with elected officials.
Or just head out to your local Starbucks and join the “I’m In” campaign, a joint initiative with the Hands On Network. Get a free cup of coffee for pledging 5 hours of service and take a few minutes to think about the next 99 days!
Making Your Blessings Count
I hope by now, you have started your Resolution Revolution Plan. After you review your inventory list and begin to create your action plan, you will probably feel energized and motivated. In the coming weeks we will work on planning techniques to keep you on track, but for today I would like to leave you with a new exercise to keep you moving in the right direction. (more…)
Do Your Part, Be Happy
This week, I posted my Facebook status as “Nicolette had a good day.” A few friends responded with comments and a client emailed me to tell me that it was just what she needed to lift her spirits. Then last evening, Berit of Articulated Impact posted her FB status as “listening to giggles from the other room.” Strangely, it made me happy to think of her at the Affinity Lab giggling!
With all the doom and gloom it the news, it may seem harder to find something to smile about, but a report out this week sheds some light on my Facebook findings. (more…)
President-Elect Barack Obama’s Victory Speech
While there is so much to say about the evening’s events, I thought it best to let our new President’s words inspire us to think about our responsibility to what is possible. Watch the speech, listen to the audio of Barack Obama Victory Speech provided by NPR or read the transcript below.
November 5, 2008 · In these prepared remarks provided by his campaign, President-Elect Barack Obama calls himself the unlikeliest presidential candidate. He thanks many members of his campaign, along with his enormous army of volunteers, and he warns supporters about what he calls the enormity of the tasks at hand that now face the U.S. He concludes by telling an anecdote about a 106-year-old African-American voter from Atlanta. (more…)
The Extraordinary Possibility of Democracy
Democracy is…the conviction that there are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people.
— Harry Emerson Fosdick
This quote arrived in my in box today and I thought it most appropriate to share with you.
Today, while you are waiting in line to cast your vote, recognize our new President will be an ordinary person who decided the extraordinary was possible.
After you vote, take some time to think about the extraordinary possibilities available to you and make a plan to step into your vision.
