My intention with C-lever Points of Leverage is to support you in your own development and walk along side you by sharing my own journey. As I begin to peel back the motivation underneath so much of what I do, I find that it comes down to a desire to know, understand and be aware of myself.
What I’m learning –
- Power of Awareness – Six months ago, I applied for a 2 year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program (MMTCP) led by Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield. (I got in and it just started!). One of the pre-requisites for the MMTCP is this program offered by Sounds True. The intention of the program (open to anyone) is to support the development of a mindfulness meditation practice. It’s one of the most impactful trainings I’ve ever experienced, both in its simplicity and its depth. It’s a 7 week, self-directed program with ~ 12 short (20 min) video classes and 3 live (1 hour) virtual sessions with ~ 7 classmates led by a Mindfulness Meditation Mentor. (My cohort included people from Norway, England and the Middle East). I had meditated before, but I didn’t learn to love meditation until this course. If you’ve ever been interested in developing a mindfulness practice of your own, I can’t recommend this enough!
Habits that are supporting me –
- 5 Minute Journal – I started using this simple, yet profound little journal ~ 4 years ago. It’s perfect for those of us who want to do some form of daily self-reflection, but don’t want to spend a lot of time doing it. With this journal, you spend three minutes in the morning naming three things you are grateful for, three things you want to do to have a great day and one affirmation for the day. At night, you spend two minutes writing three things that were amazing about the day and one thing you might have done differently. Nothing has helped identify the patterns that don’t serve me faster than this practice. (About 3 years ago, I was horrified to see how many Friday or Saturday night entries of what I could have done better said “drink one less glass of wine”. Ugh, not pretty, and SO important for me to see and change – and I have.)
What I’m reading –
- How to Change Your Mind – What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression and Transcendence – Michael Pollan, author of In Defense of Food and The Omnivore’s Dilemma, and one of the best science writers of our time, turns his attention to the controversial topic of psychedelics and their responsible (and not so responsible) use. In his meticulously researched book, he documents the history of psychedelics and their uses (both on and off label), the evidence of their benefits for a myriad of conditions (from PTSD to smoking cessation) and his own personal experience of the best-known psychedelics. And so what? I firmly believe these plant based medicines exist for an organic reason. They exist to remind us of who we are, how we are connected and what matters.
What I’m watching –
- I’m Sorry – OK, this may not be for everyone, but it’s one of the few shows my husband, Ken, and I watch and laugh at together. It’s hysterically funny (we think) and a useful model of coupleness. The couple (he’s a lawyer and she’s some kind of sex comedy writer, not really sure) talk about everything, make fun of every crazy situation and are insanely transparent, with each other and their friends. I’m intrigued by the way this fictional couple relates to one another and think there’s something here I want to learn. It’s definitely for mature audiences.
What I’m listening to –
- How I Built This – Ken and I listen to this podcast on the long drive to Duck in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, which we make 4-5 times a year. The podcast is hosted by Guy Raz (same guy that hosts the TED radio hour) and he talks to successful entrepreneurs like Blake Mycoskie of TOMS, Melanie Perkins of Canva, and Andy Dunn of Bonobos to find out the good, the bad, the ugly of how they made it. One of my favs is the episode with Joe Gebbia, co-founder of Airbnb. I’m inspired by what these entrepreneurs do when faced with what might seem to anyone else like certain failure.
Quotes I’m Trying On –
- “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I change.” – Carl Rogers. More and more, I’m seeing how I can be expectant rather than acceptant and noticing the unhappiness that brings me (and others).
- “The world is divided between the people who think they’re right….”Yeah, that’s pretty much the whole quote. And so, so true. (Not sure who said it first.)
- “If you come here, you will find a hidden treasure. It’s the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary; only wise men are able to understand them. Whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it’s because that desire originated in the soul of the universe…” – Paul Coelho. The treasure we seek is closer than we can imagine.
If you liked this (or not), let me know and feel free to forward it to someone who might benefit. They can subscribe to C-lever POL here. If you have a thought or comment, I’d love to hear it!
Take care,
Alison
