Once you know your values and purpose the next step is to make room to see how your life aligns with them in the present. Here are the steps you may consider:
- create space to explore your current situation especially if you lead a full and hectic life
- identify what hurdles keep showing up or what negative perspectives you may be employing
- experiment with positive ways to meet life’s challenges
- get in touch with your feelings and energy by doing more somatic work and incorporating polyvagal techniques
This stage is important as you learn new ways of being. You are experimenting and establishing new habits. You are aligning with your values and purpose as well as focusing on reaching any goals you may already have or new goals as you reassess your life. At times, the new perspective can seem insignificant, but the results may be life changing. Take these two stories (created with a composite of few people):
Kim prided herself on being analytical. This was a sought-after trait in the technical industry in which she had spent 15 years. A no-nonsense outlook served Kim well in meeting project deadlines and delivering solutions to technical problems. Unfortunately, it did not serve her well in understanding people. Through the centering workshop, she realized she would have to relate to people at the heart level. At first, she didn’t think it would work. She was surprised when she used curiosity to make sense of what others were trying to say. Rather than responding abruptly to a nonsensical statement from an emotional friend, she gently asked a question. Kim learned a big lesson that day when her friend eloquently explained her previously illogical statement.
Mark lived a fast-paced life. It was important to him to get as much done in a day as possible. Life was a race. His schedule was packed with exercise, work meetings, networking, and time on weekends with his family. This worked for him until it didn’t. In mid-career, Mark lost the gusto for life. Everything seemed rote. He ran out of creative ideas. His life was so tightly scheduled he did not have time for himself. It took some convincing to have Mark try daily mindfulness practice. On the days he did make time mindfulness, Mark had easy, seamless days. He was sure there were problems and headaches but at the end of the day he barely remembered them. Mark is back at his busy schedule, so we created quick mindfulness exercises for him to improve focus and create emotional space.
If you are curious about centering yourself, you may consider joining an 8-week workshop to learn how to maneuver around your hurdles and gain new perspectives.
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