Living Consciously…

I am currently reading a book by International Bestseller Louise Hay called You Can Heal Your Life. The title was a little intimidating at first because I do not necessarily think anything is broken, but after some thought, maybe that’s why I was drawn in. I needed a different perspective.

Louise Hay is a popular figure in the energy world, but this particular book reads more like a new age self-help book. Not a poolside read but something for those early mornings when the house is still quiet and still. I was drawn to the pieced together illustrations and the fast pace of the sample paragraphs, so I gave in. The chapter I am currently reading contains the phrase, “I am fulfilled by all that I do.” This struck a chord within me. I would love to be fulfilled in all that I do, but sometimes I have to do things I do not want to do, so how can I go through my days fully fulfilled? What a loaded statement. I am fulfilled by all that I do implies every moment of your day is fulfilling. Every single minute.

At first, when I thought about it, this fulfillment mindset seemed impossible. How could someone walk through their day feeling fulfilled throughout? There are so many factors that push back on daily fulfillment. But then, I realized what a sad thing it would be to reflect back on a life you did not feel fulfillment in. The whole thing passed you by, and you were left feeling unfulfilled. Fulfillment is a tricky word. Always striving for something just out of reach, practicing until it was achieved for a few minutes of intrinsic happiness and then onto the next thing. But what if we lowered our expectations? What if we went through each moment with a goal of fulfillment for the small things too? Obviously, the big goals will still be there, like the luxury vacations or the dream house, but what if we practiced fulfillment in the small things too?

A negative mindset is toxic. It leads to a negative way of life, which trickles onto each thing you encounter throughout your day. I say “thing” because it encompasses so much. Your mindset affects your home and all that’s in it, your family and friends, your animals, your plants, your car, your all and everything, no matter if it is a living thing or not. But most importantly, it affects your health and wellness. Toxicity will trickle through your life like the blood does in your veins. It will spread through you like a fire, and it will eventually, figuratively, burn it all. A negative mindset keeps a person sick and unwell, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Negativity presents itself to others as words and thoughts, actions and reactions, and of course, behaviors. And all of this leads to each and every moment of unfulfillment. Feeling called out? Me too.

Don’t get me wrong, this is not a How to Stay Positive in a Messed-Up World fix it passage. There is no way we can control the uncontrollables. But what if we made a conscious shift in our way of thinking so maybe there were more positives in our day than there were negatives? More moments of fulfillment than not. What if each person personally did more for themselves to feel fulfillment? Would it bring more happiness to the world? More peace on earth? Possibly.

The first step is to get out of the negativity mindset. Easier said than done. I’ve read a lot of books on this topic and they all have the same formula; nature and exercise. Touch grass, get outside, hike, walk, ground yourself (which is a fancy way of saying reconnect in a way that brings you back to balance and stability). For example; exercising in a way that does not focus on body discontent and weigh loss but instead focuses on shifting your mindset back to a state of calm. You might need many days to rebalance your mind, but each time you do it, you’ll be met with moments of fulfillment.

Baby steps, right?

Let’s take a step back and look at what a day of feeling fulfilled will look like for you. Fulfillment for me will center around a few main things. First is real food that tastes good and also makes me feel good, both physically and mentally, while providing nourishment for my family. Next will be fulfillment towards the work I do in running my farm and gardens. There will always be immense amounts to do, but can I walk through the day feeling fulfilled while I accomplish it all? And even if I do not get to everything, can I express fulfillment and gratitude in all that I did accomplish? Lastly, I am a mom, so the fulfillment of my family is important as well. I set the stage. They see me living a life of fulfillment, and they will follow. Sometimes that will mean sacrificing what I want for their wants, but maybe I can find fulfillment within theirs, knowing they are living their best lives as well. At the very least, I can express myself, so they understand what I need to be fulfilled during their times of fulfillment.

I’m enjoying the book so far, and I think my takeaway from this chapter will include a more conscious way of day to day living and also knowing that if I do not feel fulfillment in something, then I need to change it and at the very least, express it. I can say affirmations all day long, but if I am not exemplifying them, what do they matter?

So, for now, I will say “I will be fulfilled by all that I do.” And soon I know that will change to I am fulfilled.

Until next time,

Stephanie