I intend to write weekly blogs on observations and life lessons that I have learned and continue to share with my clients through catalyst life coaching. Through my blogs, I will share lessons on how to navigate normal human emotions to guide you to feel grounded when things feel shaky and move you toward more joy and ease. If you like what I have to offer you, I invite you to share it with friends.
For this first blog, I will reiterate a lesson from the river that I wrote about recently. So for some of you, this may be a bit like a summer re-run. However, I have added a few action steps for you to practice as you paddle upstream. I look forward to sharing the second lesson from the river next week. A lesson from the river….
I live on the Milwaukee River and I chose to go on my first kayaking trip of the season, upstream to the dam. The water is quite high from the rain and the current looks strong and enticing. I mentally prepare prior to easing into my boat. I dip my paddle into the river and say hello to an old friend, marveling at the river’s changing personality with the seasons.
I’m paddling upstream. My mind is very focused on each stroke of my paddle, physically working super hard, feeling my body responding to the will from my mind. My spirit is delighted to be on the river and my senses are heightened by the force of the spring currents. A thought flashes through my mind: “Wow, this is hard to paddle upstream, sort of like life. Sometimes you don’t have a choice, you must paddle upstream to get to your destination.” Then my higher self asks: “Really, is that true?” I challenge myself when my mind creates these limiting beliefs. For example, the belief that life is just hard, and you have to work hard to get where you want to go, and you don’t have a choice. Really, is that true?
I’m in my kayak relishing how alive my body feels to be working physically hard against the current and I realize: “No, I always have a choice. I could have chosen to go downstream.” However, that would have involved a different choice of parking a car downstream and hauling my kayak back home. I chose to put my kayak in and paddle upstream. I delight in the challenge of asking my body to work against the current, and I will savor the ease when I turn my boat downstream for the return trip.
When life or a project feels hard and overwhelming what can you do?
- Honor your capacity
- Give yourself permission to rest and refuel when you feel fatigued
- Ask yourself, “What is one small next step I can take?” and take it!
- Acknowledge yourself for taking the step. Yes, it is a good practice to pat yourself on the back
- Celebrate what you have done and experience the joy.
I celebrated my efforts as I turned the kayak into the flow of the current and allowed my body to simply rest as I closed my eyes and drank in the sun, floating with ease. Remember, in all situations, you too have a choice of how you navigate your journey. Even when it feels challenging, take a step, and as you see your vision downstream, you will move towards it easily.
-Susie Raymond
Emotional Empowerment Life Coach, Reiki Master/Teacher, Esthetician, Breathwork Teacher
