Our lives have become so easy and instant (if we want them to be). You would think that we would have a pill by now that we simply take and our lives would miraculously become exactly what we wanted....a happy pill, a rich pill, a confidence pill....sounds simple enough doesn't it? And maybe we do have these in the form of drugs, and get rich quick businesses....hmmmm.
The thing is, as with every prescription, these drugs and businesses are only treating the symptoms and not the underlying cause of the illness or problem. So....what is the underlying cause of everything we experience? Well silly, it is us!! We are the ones who choose if we are going to be happy or sad, content or restless, relaxed or busy, clean or messy, fast or slow and yes, even sick or healthy and rich or poor. Believe it or not, we have the power and ability to choose each and every path that we take in life.
Of course there are outside influences, but that is all that they are...OUTSIDE!!! We have the ability to keep them locked out, or let them in and become our reality. Some of these influences are wonderful!! They build us up, give us confidence, defend us, cheer us on, compliment us, teach and help us to excel in ways we didn't even know that we could!! These are the influences that we want to open the door for......unfortunately when we open the door for them, sometimes they have some tag along friends that sneak in uninvited. Those influences that tell us we aren't good enough, smart enough, talented enough, tall enough, short enough, rich enough, strong enough.......I am sure we have all encountered these fellows....I know that I have!!
The prescription that I believe we are all looking for is sitting right outside our beings and ringing the doorbell!! The trick is to openly invite those remedies in and not let the inflictions sneak in while we have the door open. Things and circumstances change, so we too have to keep readdressing our dosage and will even have to change the prescription from time to time.
The Japanese word "kaizen" means 'continuos change for the better', and I believe that this is a brilliant word to live by. (I somehow feel that I may have been Japanese in a former life as I feel very at home and connected there. I resonate with so many of their ways and beliefs).
Of course there are outside influences, but that is all that they are...OUTSIDE!!! We have the ability to keep them locked out, or let them in and become our reality. Some of these influences are wonderful!! They build us up, give us confidence, defend us, cheer us on, compliment us, teach and help us to excel in ways we didn't even know that we could!! These are the influences that we want to open the door for......unfortunately when we open the door for them, sometimes they have some tag along friends that sneak in uninvited. Those influences that tell us we aren't good enough, smart enough, talented enough, tall enough, short enough, rich enough, strong enough.......I am sure we have all encountered these fellows....I know that I have!!
The prescription that I believe we are all looking for is sitting right outside our beings and ringing the doorbell!! The trick is to openly invite those remedies in and not let the inflictions sneak in while we have the door open. Things and circumstances change, so we too have to keep readdressing our dosage and will even have to change the prescription from time to time.
The Japanese word "kaizen" means 'continuos change for the better', and I believe that this is a brilliant word to live by. (I somehow feel that I may have been Japanese in a former life as I feel very at home and connected there. I resonate with so many of their ways and beliefs).
Myself in Japan in 1980
Many of you have heard me refer to the fact that, like a plant, if we are not growing then we are dying. There is no coasting in life.....it is like breathing, we may think that we are holding our breath - but as we are doing it, our body is simply using the reserve in our lungs to carry on......if we never take another breath ....then our demise is evident. Luckily, most times, our body demands that we take a breath and start up our 'living' once again!!
The Japanese reference of Kaizen means to me that we are not only living or dying, but taking it one conscious step further in that we are also improving or declining. Making a continual effort to improving!! What a great way to spend ones life!! No more of this 'I have a good job (which I hate by the way) so I will simply stay in this safe yet mundane environment until my retirement'. Why spend even one day of our lives being bored, sad, average, or safe!! Get up, live each day seeking out what makes us happy, fulfilled, joyful!! Even if it it is a requirement thatwe go to our boring job, why does our entire day have to follow suit? Create a space and time in your day for growth, something that makes you smile, rejoice and be, not only proud, but grateful.
I have a wonderful marriage and a husband who may not always understand me, but I know that he appreciates and loves me. We live in a beautiful house that more than meets our needs. We have enough of everything we need and more in material possessions. We go on vacation at least once a year and have friends all over the world. We have a remarkable son who has married an incredible woman and together they have blessed us with 4 amazing Grandchildren. We have family who support us and friends who love and admire us like family.
You may think that my life has no challenges, because that is exactly the way I live it. I could have stayed stuck in the fact that I was a teen searching for love and acceptance of my peers by partying, doing drugs and various other harmful acts. I could have been that single Mom who was rejected by the father of her child and his family and stayed bitter and angry that I had to raise my son on my own instead of embracing parenthood and working as many jobs as it took to make ends meet and our little family happy. I could have not taken the chance at being rejected by a very devout Catholic family who were appalled that their youngest would date a woman who was unwed when she became pregnant, instead of following my heart and finding not only an amazinf partner, but a loving and caring family that treat my son as one of their own. I could have stayed in a job that I dreaded going to every day because it was a decent and steady paycheck, instead of taking a leap of faith that I could excel as my own boss and as a contributing partner on the farm. I could have stayed in a relationship that I was questioning and wondering about instead of seeking guidance and counselling to make it something to be excited about and proud of. I could have believed those who called me a horrible, evil person instead of sending them love and forgiveness and moving to the knowing that I am a loving and supportive person with only the best of intentions. I could have stayed home yesterday to plant the garden and been miserable because I got rained out instead of heading off to my Grandkids' Soccer Tournaments and being showered with hugs, kisses and "I Love You Grandma"s!! Yes - each and every day I could choose to have a horrible life, but I don't - I choose to acknowledge my feelings (good and bad) and strive to be happy, grateful, open and supportive each and every day. I am choosing the best life I am capable of.
Myself taking a Shamisen class during the most recent time we were in Japan.
I definitely agree with the Japanese belief that Kaizen is a way of life, a prescription for a good, if not a great life!! I will continue to follow my quest for education, understanding and enlightenment, be it through classes, travel or simply visiting a neighbour. I am not saying that there will be no challenges, I only say "Bring them on!!" for that only enhances the desire to learn, do and make things better!! When I am faced with one of those seemingly unsurmountable obstacles, I may faulter, but I am of the belief that I have the ability, and certainly the stubborness (or determinatioin) to work through it, learn from it and become a better person for it.
My wish for you is that you don't stay stuck in the boring, mundane or 'safe' areas of your life, but that you seek out the "KAIZEN" (continuous change for the better) in your life. Make the choice of prosperity over poverty, curiosity over not knowing, excitement over mediocre and a GREAT life over the good one that you are sitting in.
All my Love
Lorna
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