Debra Smouse's Blog - Posts Tagged "steve-maraboli"
September 2021: on Commitment and Devotion
When I made the decision to go from a bi-weekly to monthly newsletter, one of the desires driving that decision was to offer you (and me) an invitation to go more deeply during this journey together. What this has meant in some ways is to ignore part of what's happening in the outside world so that I can help you create a better inside world.
My hope is that if I can assist you in thinking more profoundly. And then taking deliberate actions that cultivate your own happiness and peace, you are then able to carry that out into the world around you.
What that translates to in a practical sense is continuing my commitment to not share my opinion on politics, religion, or social justice issues. Because how can I serve you in any way if you feel I have a strong opinion - or bias - one way or the other? Especially if it's different than your own opinions.
I know for many of you, that may turn you off. And that's OK. I know I am not everyone's cup of tea in that approach. Yet, I also know that for many others, this approach provides a port in a storm. And that, I am grateful to be able to provide.
You may be wondering what this has to do with this month's theme - commitment and devotion. And frankly, it has everything to do with it. Because how can I model ways to love yourself and your life - no matter what is happening in the world - if I don't model how setting boundaries and being devoted to how those boundaries can look in our modern society?
Even when - or maybe especially when - everywhere you turn people are taking a (social media) stand on issues, causes, and politics. For if I were to go against these principals it would certainly affect my own inner peace. And the ability to continue to take deliberate actions that help me love my daily life.
Because truly, the key for me to stay devoted to curating a daily life that feels loving and nourishing lies in my commitment to tend my inner world - my own thoughts and actions - even if the rest of the world is in chaos.
When I first planned out these monthly love notes for 2021, I chose themes based on not just a progression of thought - such as how Awareness (explored in August) is always a precursor to Commitment towards one's goals. I also considered the season we'd be exploring that theme.
When it comes to September and the edges of Autumn, I always feel that "back to school" energy around me, even though it's been a very long time since I was in school. Or even preparing kiddos for school.
Yet, there's something about the crisp morning air that invites me to re-examine my hopes and desires. And the shifting landscape from green to red and gold that compels me to make changes in my world, too.
I know full well how challenging this year has been. Even when you don't watch the news much it's hard to escape how the outside world impacts your life. And with that in mind, I am guessing that many of you set goals or made resolutions way back at the beginning of 2021 that have been completely abandoned. It feels as if they were made, not mere months ago, but an entire lifetime in the past.
And while It’s easy to say maybe next year, now is a perfect time of year to take another look at what you desire to do and who you long to be. Because no matter how the outside world is impacting each one of us, you matter.
You – your life, your desires, your dreams – deserve your devotion. Because you are not an afterthought. And neither are those goals of yours.
While I know it may be impractical to achieve everything on those lists you made when thinking about 2021, I want to invite you to really dive into awareness and ask yourself what you really, really want. How can you turn a wish into reality?
What if you were to make the decision that you’re done messing around with just thinking about stuff and actually start doing it?
How might choosing to let go of one dream in favor of really pursuing another allow you to go all in?
What if you were to understand that in order to create a life that feels loving and nourishing, you must become devoted to your desires?
How would it feel to make the decision to usher in one specific dream into your reality?
What would it give you in way of confidence if you were to actually do what you say you want to do?
How might committing to just one desire now help you gain momentum for additional successes in the future?
I believe there is immense power in making a commitment.
It means you're making a decision, a vow, to tend your goals and desires. And if you were to commit to that concept – breathing life into one wish, dream, goal, or desire – and spend precious time and attention on it - that you could make IT happen (or at least make significant progress towards it) before we usher in a new year.
Yes, that’s a pretty bold statement, but I’m telling you that one thing I've discovered over the years is that making a decision shifts your energy. I've also learned that your commitment muscles may need some support. And that magical support is devotion.
Back in 2014, I vowed that the mantra for my journey that year was to “Be like a Monk in Devotion to Myself.” Being devoted to the quality of my daily life has been the underlying current of my deepest satisfaction.
That choice of mantra began to shift my DNA. By tending my daily life, I was able to recognize what was holy about the ordinary moments. And it also showed me that a little devotion went a long way towards achieving my goals.
Here's what I am asking you do in honor of committing to yourself and being devoted to your happiness and desires:
Choose one goal (or dream or desire) and commit that you are going to be like a monk in devotion not only to breathing some life into that idea, but actively working to make it real. Yes, just one thing. No, that doesn’t negate every other area of your life. You’re choosing just one thing for now, so that you don’t distract yourself.
Yes, this means walking away from some of your other goals. It's hard to be committed, let alone devoted to achieving something if your attention is too scattered.
Get clear on your why. Why THIS goal? What is inviting you to let this particular cream of an idea rise to the top? If you aren’t clear on why this deserves your devotion now, but your gut is telling you it’s the right choice, dig into it a little more, and find your why. As I’ve shared before, this means you’ll probably need to ask that question “why” and “what would that give me” about five times to get to the core of your truth.
Remind yourself that you get to choose anything, even if it sounds or seems selfish. Because the truth is, darling, if it will make you happy and proud, than it holds value. That also means it can be a big goal, a tiny tweak, or somewhere in between.
Determine how much time a week you are going to allow your goal to have the spotlight. No, we can’t toss aside everything in our lives in hopes of focusing on this goal. We have families to feed and bills to pay. However, once you’ve decided to Make It Happen, then it’s worth the devotion of your precious time and attention. Right? So, commit to yourself that you’ll spend time on this: thirty minutes a day or an hour every other day or two hours on a Sunday.
Make a plan. It’s hard to put your devotion and attention on a dream if you have no idea what to do to make it reality, right? So, yes, make a plan. What’s the next step? What are the milestones?
Most of us are quick to devote time to our work, to our friends, and to our family’s needs. All of those things are important, and deserving of our attention and energy.
However, it’s equally important, if not more so, that we honor our own dreams and desires with the same level of commitment and devotion.
Rather than shove your desires aside, it's time to open the door to them. Invite them into your daily life. Make time for them in the midst of life's busy-ness and demands.
Nurture your desires as part of nourishing yourself and your life. Because when you are tending your deeper wants, that positively impacts your world. And those you love.
Commit to making this one goal of importance. Because with love and devotion, anything is possible. Especially when it comes to breathing life into your desires.
Allow the shifting of season to help usher you into a daily life where you are committed to yourself. And devoted to help you recall the nostalgia of childhood summers, even if it's only a few hours a week. Because within this act is an opportunity to rediscover who you always wanted to be...and who you want to be tomorrow, next year, and ten years from now.
If you'd like to read the September 2021 love note in full, you can do so here.
And, if you'd like to receive my Monthly Love Note, sign up here.
Here's to celebrating the shift of seasons. And allowing the fresh energy to help you truly commit to your desires whilst becoming devoted to your own peace and happiness.
My hope is that if I can assist you in thinking more profoundly. And then taking deliberate actions that cultivate your own happiness and peace, you are then able to carry that out into the world around you.
What that translates to in a practical sense is continuing my commitment to not share my opinion on politics, religion, or social justice issues. Because how can I serve you in any way if you feel I have a strong opinion - or bias - one way or the other? Especially if it's different than your own opinions.
I know for many of you, that may turn you off. And that's OK. I know I am not everyone's cup of tea in that approach. Yet, I also know that for many others, this approach provides a port in a storm. And that, I am grateful to be able to provide.
You may be wondering what this has to do with this month's theme - commitment and devotion. And frankly, it has everything to do with it. Because how can I model ways to love yourself and your life - no matter what is happening in the world - if I don't model how setting boundaries and being devoted to how those boundaries can look in our modern society?
Even when - or maybe especially when - everywhere you turn people are taking a (social media) stand on issues, causes, and politics. For if I were to go against these principals it would certainly affect my own inner peace. And the ability to continue to take deliberate actions that help me love my daily life.
Because truly, the key for me to stay devoted to curating a daily life that feels loving and nourishing lies in my commitment to tend my inner world - my own thoughts and actions - even if the rest of the world is in chaos.
When I first planned out these monthly love notes for 2021, I chose themes based on not just a progression of thought - such as how Awareness (explored in August) is always a precursor to Commitment towards one's goals. I also considered the season we'd be exploring that theme.
When it comes to September and the edges of Autumn, I always feel that "back to school" energy around me, even though it's been a very long time since I was in school. Or even preparing kiddos for school.
Yet, there's something about the crisp morning air that invites me to re-examine my hopes and desires. And the shifting landscape from green to red and gold that compels me to make changes in my world, too.
I know full well how challenging this year has been. Even when you don't watch the news much it's hard to escape how the outside world impacts your life. And with that in mind, I am guessing that many of you set goals or made resolutions way back at the beginning of 2021 that have been completely abandoned. It feels as if they were made, not mere months ago, but an entire lifetime in the past.
And while It’s easy to say maybe next year, now is a perfect time of year to take another look at what you desire to do and who you long to be. Because no matter how the outside world is impacting each one of us, you matter.
You – your life, your desires, your dreams – deserve your devotion. Because you are not an afterthought. And neither are those goals of yours.
While I know it may be impractical to achieve everything on those lists you made when thinking about 2021, I want to invite you to really dive into awareness and ask yourself what you really, really want. How can you turn a wish into reality?
What if you were to make the decision that you’re done messing around with just thinking about stuff and actually start doing it?
How might choosing to let go of one dream in favor of really pursuing another allow you to go all in?
What if you were to understand that in order to create a life that feels loving and nourishing, you must become devoted to your desires?
How would it feel to make the decision to usher in one specific dream into your reality?
What would it give you in way of confidence if you were to actually do what you say you want to do?
How might committing to just one desire now help you gain momentum for additional successes in the future?
I believe there is immense power in making a commitment.
It means you're making a decision, a vow, to tend your goals and desires. And if you were to commit to that concept – breathing life into one wish, dream, goal, or desire – and spend precious time and attention on it - that you could make IT happen (or at least make significant progress towards it) before we usher in a new year.
Yes, that’s a pretty bold statement, but I’m telling you that one thing I've discovered over the years is that making a decision shifts your energy. I've also learned that your commitment muscles may need some support. And that magical support is devotion.
Back in 2014, I vowed that the mantra for my journey that year was to “Be like a Monk in Devotion to Myself.” Being devoted to the quality of my daily life has been the underlying current of my deepest satisfaction.
That choice of mantra began to shift my DNA. By tending my daily life, I was able to recognize what was holy about the ordinary moments. And it also showed me that a little devotion went a long way towards achieving my goals.
Here's what I am asking you do in honor of committing to yourself and being devoted to your happiness and desires:
Choose one goal (or dream or desire) and commit that you are going to be like a monk in devotion not only to breathing some life into that idea, but actively working to make it real. Yes, just one thing. No, that doesn’t negate every other area of your life. You’re choosing just one thing for now, so that you don’t distract yourself.
Yes, this means walking away from some of your other goals. It's hard to be committed, let alone devoted to achieving something if your attention is too scattered.
Get clear on your why. Why THIS goal? What is inviting you to let this particular cream of an idea rise to the top? If you aren’t clear on why this deserves your devotion now, but your gut is telling you it’s the right choice, dig into it a little more, and find your why. As I’ve shared before, this means you’ll probably need to ask that question “why” and “what would that give me” about five times to get to the core of your truth.
Remind yourself that you get to choose anything, even if it sounds or seems selfish. Because the truth is, darling, if it will make you happy and proud, than it holds value. That also means it can be a big goal, a tiny tweak, or somewhere in between.
Determine how much time a week you are going to allow your goal to have the spotlight. No, we can’t toss aside everything in our lives in hopes of focusing on this goal. We have families to feed and bills to pay. However, once you’ve decided to Make It Happen, then it’s worth the devotion of your precious time and attention. Right? So, commit to yourself that you’ll spend time on this: thirty minutes a day or an hour every other day or two hours on a Sunday.
Make a plan. It’s hard to put your devotion and attention on a dream if you have no idea what to do to make it reality, right? So, yes, make a plan. What’s the next step? What are the milestones?
Most of us are quick to devote time to our work, to our friends, and to our family’s needs. All of those things are important, and deserving of our attention and energy.
However, it’s equally important, if not more so, that we honor our own dreams and desires with the same level of commitment and devotion.
Rather than shove your desires aside, it's time to open the door to them. Invite them into your daily life. Make time for them in the midst of life's busy-ness and demands.
Nurture your desires as part of nourishing yourself and your life. Because when you are tending your deeper wants, that positively impacts your world. And those you love.
Commit to making this one goal of importance. Because with love and devotion, anything is possible. Especially when it comes to breathing life into your desires.
Allow the shifting of season to help usher you into a daily life where you are committed to yourself. And devoted to help you recall the nostalgia of childhood summers, even if it's only a few hours a week. Because within this act is an opportunity to rediscover who you always wanted to be...and who you want to be tomorrow, next year, and ten years from now.
If you'd like to read the September 2021 love note in full, you can do so here.
And, if you'd like to receive my Monthly Love Note, sign up here.
Here's to celebrating the shift of seasons. And allowing the fresh energy to help you truly commit to your desires whilst becoming devoted to your own peace and happiness.
