Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Don't Fence Me In

WONDER WHAT'S ON THE OTHER SIDE?

Ever had the experience of where you realize that something you that used to make you feel good...an outfit, a place or even a person...don't seem to fit right or feel as good as they once did? What happened to it while I wasn't looking?

I have been having that experience lately.

When this happens, I usually try to deny it or try to make it work by putting in lots of effort to recapture what I am losing. I will make it work, I say...which of course is just asking for more frustration but then, I'm a slow learner.

Often I felt naked & vulnerable as it feels like things that have changed things are the things make me feel secure. I resent  that I didn't have a choice that my "blankness " are going w away.

With lots of resistance...

It started to happen last fall when I had some health challenges and was advised to slow down some and not work so hard. I knew it was good advice and although difficult to put into practice, I liked the idea. And thought it would be great to have more time for myself.

So with some (lots) of resistance, I began to let go of some projects and obligations.

When winter came, I enjoyed some hibernating but still kept my long list of "to dos". The quiet voiced kept asking me, " Who would you be without all the doing?" It was scary to think of that.

But by spring, I began to get restless and felt "fenced in" by all the "musts & shoulds" I had built around me.

With reluctance, it began to occur to me all the "duties " gave me some identity as well as kept me very busy with no time to look around.

The "safe places " no longer fit or felt as good.

And while that was very good for a long time, I could also see that it also kept me in one place. My protection "fences" had, in some ways, became barriers. The "safe places " no longer fit or felt as good.

I began to see that I needed to slow down so I could pay attention at first. But now I needed to clear some room to grow.... I needed more wide-open spaces and fewer fences.

If every day is filled, it leaves little room for creating & exploring.

What would my life be like if I could let go a little and open space for new and old dreams to appear? And if I could allow myself to feel unsure and naked a bit, maybe I could take down some of my "fear fence"...and I might have a great new view!

So now as I take baby steps in exploring some new areas, I like playing the old cowboy song, " Don't Fence Me In " and the Dixie Chicks wonderful song celebrating "Wide Open Spaces".

They remind me that it is only in outgrowing our fences, that we are truly free

Jeannie Fennel, Ph.D. "Transitions Specialist" http://lifeworksonline.net/

"If Your Life or Work needs a "Re-do", I'm the one to come to." I offer a FREE 30 minute phone laser consutation to get you going on the life you deserve. Contact me at my website....Your best life is waiting,,what are you waiting for? If your life is not working as well as you want, we can give you the tools, resources, and motivation to create a life & work that works...professionally and personally.


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