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.
Revolution Me! Flashback: Time to Plan a Resolution Revolution
It’s that time of year again when the excitement of the holiday season and a turkey hangover results in the annual tradition of resolution making. You already know my thoughts about resolutions, so, I’m bringing back a favorite from last year, Time to Plan a Resolution Revolution!
Check back next week for the next India Journal and don’t forget to mark your calendar for the last RevUp 2009 on Tuesday, December 1st at the Darlington House in Washington, DC from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm.
We’ll celebrate successes of 2009 and get energized for 2010. Come by for a cup of cheer and a dose of inspiration!
Who Knew?
Thank you for all the great responses to the Revolution Me! India Journal post last week! Your emails made me smile – and in some cases laugh out loud!
Many of you wrote to tell me that you had similar experiences, and some who have met me wrote in disbelief that I was ever quiet or introverted! I promise it is true! In fact, my high school Facebook friends would probably point out, my twin sister was infinitely more outgoing and my older sister far more adventurous!
As I wrote in Where No One Knows Your Name, years before India, I went to Italy. I went to learn more about my family heritage and to study International Law. I never expected the dramatic changes that would take root in my life or a new personality would emerge. I can still remember the first time words poured out of me in my new language. I was shocked both in how I sounded and what I had to say. Was that really me sounding so sure, so bold? Who knew?! It felt so powerful, so me – I knew it was the start of some big changes!
When I returned to New York from Italy it took time for friends, family and colleagues to process the changes…and even more after India! Each time I stepped outside of my life, I found it easier to focus on becoming me. It wasn’t always easy – it took work – and that’s exactly what I’ll share in the next India Journal!
Thank you again for sharing the India Journal with me – keep your eyes open for the next installment!
Flights of Fancy in the Real World
The brook would lose its song if we removed the rocks. —Wallace Stegne
All month I have been meeting potential clients and groups of people considering charting a new course. Some are facing layoffs, others are considering new jobs or starting their own business and even taking time off or starting a family. Each person I spoke with had a different reason for wanting a change, most spurred on by the changing economy.
You might think it strange that someone would actually make a self-motivated change during a time of such economic flux, yet I am encouraged by what I am hearing. Most of the people I encountered this past month have had a few things in common: (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…)
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…)
Time to Plan Your Resolution Revolution
Thanksgiving ushers in a flurry of holiday activity. Afters we clean up the feast, watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and perhaps a football game, our thoughts will start to shift to December’s festivities.
With all of the hustle and bustle, holiday music on the radio and twinkling lights, you may move on to another annual tradition – making New Year’s Resolutions – dropping unwanted pounds, making more time for your family, getting a promotion at work, going back to school, reconnecting with a loved one, etc. You will probably select a resolution or two and push the thoughts to the back of your mind as you make plans to ring in the New Year. As the Eve draws near, your 2009 goals may pop up in your mind from time to time and you’ll promise to start on those resolutions – on January 1.
We’ve all been there before, the whole routine – culminated by broken resolutions by February! This year, I suggest a new approach to your New Year conundrum.
This year set a date for your Resolution Revolution. I know, I can hear your protests already – who has time?? Somehow, I know you can find an hour amidst the shopping, planning and partying! It could be early one morning before the day gets rolling, an evening after you tuck the kids into bed, or over afternoon cappuccino – but it has to be scheduled on your calendar. And if you cannot find a date, then plan your Revolution for January 1st as you recover from the festivities of the previous night!
To stage your Revolution you need nothing more than your calendar from 2008 and one for 2009, a notebook, a pen, a quiet place and the Resolution Revolution Plan! (more…)
Finding Your Path to Success
Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.
— Abraham Lincoln
With less than a month to go before the next Presidential election, I thought a quote from a former office holder would serve as inspiration for the day.
In pursuit of life and career goals your resolve is the power behind your vision. Equally important as knowing what you want, is knowing why you want it - this core value is an essential navigational tool. Your resolve is your guide for plotting a powerful course of action and evaluating opportunities to determine if they serve your vision.
Held firm, your resolve can help you to overcome fear, detractors, road blocks and even failure along the way. Without resolve, you are ambling toward a desire, a wish. While you may achieve your goal either way, with resolve the destination purposeful, designed, intentional. Without first establishing the why, you may find yourself asking the question after you have arrived.
Any time you are charting a new course, you will encounter those who will tell you why it isn’t the “right path“ and your own fear may offer a few objections as well. Your job is to establish your own resolve to succeed, set your feet firmly on the path and then decide how to make it your path one step at a time.
I do not believe in wrong roads. There is only the road you are on and the turns you choose to make.
It Takes a Woman, W-O-M-A-N!
Women have been fighting to break into the highest ranks of government long before they had achieved the right to vote. It started in 1864 when Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton formed the National Woman Suffrage Association, and they have been making great strides ever since.
Victoria Woodhull was nominated for President of the United States by the newly formed Equal Rights Party in 1872, on a ticket with Frederick Douglass.
Belva Lockwood ran as the candidate of the National Equal Rights Party in 1884 and 1888. Her running mate in the first election was Marietta L. Stow – an all female ticket! (more…)
Toward a Dream Realized
Watching Barack Obama accept the nomination at the Democratic National Convention, I was stunned by how proud I felt to see people of every race, gender and creed taking part in the process – speaking, debating, protesting, nominating, conceding, championing, building, educating…and making history
Regardless of your politics, today is a day to celebrate. We have turned a new corner as a nation, and it will have deep and lasting implications.
Today, our country, a symbol of freedom and equality to many beyond its borders, breaks through a new boundary – taking that symbol to new heights.
Today is a day of historic import, commemorating civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr’s landmark speech describing his dream of justice and racial equality. It is a momentous day, as Barack Obama became the first African-American nominated by a major political party for the Presidency of the United States of America. It is a meaningful day, as we renew the self-evident truth that all men are created equal.
Today, we are offered a reminder of our responsibility to wake ourselves up, to dream beyond what others think possible, to be courageous, to break down walls, to build up others, to scale new heights, to never accept “impossible”, to face the odds, to remember our strength, to seize the day. And we are offered a challenge of mutual responsibility to build communities and lives worthy of the opportunity before us.
Or to paraphrase Mahatma Gandhi, We must be the change we wish to see in the world.
