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One of the founding premises of TSLL is to recognize what the societal expectations are that surround us, and then come to an honest understanding within ourselves of what will truly fulfill us.
The difficult task occurs when we observe that they aren't aligned, or perhaps some of them aren't align, and we must do the work, find the strength to honor our truest selves. This is not an easy task.
It is hard to identify what beliefs, what norms have been blindly accepted. One of the easiest ways I have found to observe that we as humans indeed do adhere to societal constructs, some we do not even realize, is to travel to a different country, anywhere besides what I am accustomed and just observe. Whether it is the pace of the day, how each days of the week is spent, traditions that are followed, behavioral norms,
etc.
As I am reading The Code of the Extraordinary Mind, I am reminded of the power we let slip away. Whether
it is the defaults we lockstep with, the treatment we put up with or dismiss as okay or the habits we ourselves follow when it comes to structuring our day, building our relationships or completing our work.
A statement that is
shared in the book 'We don't have beliefs so much as beliefs 'have' us" caught my attention immediately because as the author later shares, "Each of us lives by thousands of rules. When we aren't sure what to do, we follow the example of those who came before us." The key that is suggested to not live blindly and flip this 'belief' truth is to question your inherent beliefs. Everything - from why you work Monday-Friday and not Wednesday-Sunday, to why do I think [insert age] is the age at
which [this has to happen/this will happen], even to your religious and spiritual beliefs, as well as your political beliefs. This most likely will not be an easy or short task, but what you will discover is what it is you truly believe is best for you and what has been blindly accepted without a closer examination.
I have examined and still examine the beliefs that seem to be assisting in my decision makes about life, career, relationships, the world, etc. It certainly keeps you on your toes, and it certainly is humbling. But it also makes it easier to identify when others haven't thought through why they do or say or live the way they do.
Being thoughtful is an active ongoing process that requires of us each to be present, to pay attention not only to the world around us, but to our engagement with it each day. From the thoughts that pass unchecked through our minds, to the words and tone we use when we speak or respond to others.
Today consider possibly something that is giving you a headache, causing frustration or angst and challenge yourself to check your beliefs about the situation and how you think you have to handle it. Perhaps taking a different perspective will shed new light on ideas not at first discovered or maybe it will eliminate the need to see it as a frustration at all.
One thing that is not a frustration as Friday arrives is the arrival of the weekend and time to rest up a bit, savor a few days of a shorter 'have-to' list and just be. Last week The Simply Luxurious Kitchen vodcast premiered, and I
want to thank you for checking out the first episode. The response was full of awesome support and celebration, and I cannot wait to share with you another episode tomorrow and each week to come in this season. As promised, as a newsletter subscriber, just below you will see the topic of tomorrow's episode. And now to the newsletter! I do hope you enjoy, and until next week, I'll see you on the blog!
