you've got to go for it...

If you want something you need to be willing to do whatever it takes... even if it scares the pants off of you.

I'm still on the "new year, new you" kick, and due to the nature of my job and fresh perspective on life, I will almost always be in the goal setting mindset.

Over the past three years I've seen what I'm capable of and know how much more is out there for me to achieve. I run marathons,  I've learned yoga poses I didn't know I could do, I've started a blog, I've traveled, I got married, I've swam with sharks, I've reached my goal of running a business... I've done cool sh*t!

and there is so much more out there waiting for me...

Recently, I've been challenged with a decision that I never wanted to make. I had two options... RUN and get the hell out, or see it through and do whatever it takes.

I'm not sure that I would have been able to make the right choice without the past three years of life's experiences. I have learned that I can make anything work if I want, that I am in control, and that only I have the power of choice when it comes to my life. I don't give up on anything, so why would I start now?

It's really powerful, and exciting, when you realize you are in the driver's seat (or in my case... "re-realize). While it can be scary and the road ahead may have unexpected twists, turns, ups and downs, have comfort in knowing that YOU chose that road and it will lead you to where you want to go in life.

If you want it... you've got to go for it...

What are you going for?

you are what you are...

“You don't need anybody to tell you who you are or what you are. You are what you are!”

John Lennon

Its funny how we package ourseleves up into tiny boxes and stow them away on the top shelves of that closet in our house full of other boxes we don't feel like unpacking... Ever.

The other day, my husband made a comment that reminded me of just how often we affix labels to ourselves and believe that is who we are. How limiting is that behavior?

We were talking about music and I was putting together my marathon playlist when Brett said that he likes a lot of music that "doesn't really fit who he is."  I asked, "who are you that you can't like that type of music?"

::Insert little light bulb moment here::

When we find ourselves thinking "People may be surprised to know ____ (fill in the blank) about me," we really ought to be asking why don't they already know it?

Don't be afraid to show your true colors. Be proud. Music for example, is a form of expression not only of the artist but of those who listen and appreciate it as well.

Be whoever. Say whatever. And never hide who you are.

discovery...guest blogger cristina houston

discover: find (something or someone) unexpectedly or in the course of a search

                                                .         .         .

One of my favorite concepts and teachings of yoga is that your practice (insert life itself) is just that: a practice. Every moment is an opportunity to grow, reflect, turn inward, be still...the list goes on. Every time I unroll my mat, I am reminded, sometimes more easily than others, that life is just one big practice. We don't have to have it all figured out, and likely we won't. And more often than not, the answer comes to us with time, reflection, and through a process of discovering it, rather than knowing it.

I hate to admit it, but at the ripe age of 28, I genuinely thought that I had (kind of) figured my life out. I was fortunate enough to have found what I was truly passionate about, experienced 3 loving and enlightening years of marriage, lived abroad, obtained a great education, embarked on an eye-opening, self-reflecting journey of service to Kenya, and shared the most intimate and fun moments with the best family and friends anyone could wish for. My friends turn to me for advice, I'm good at what I do, and I know how my life "works". I had it all figured out, or so I thought.

Last month, I attended Advanced Landmark. In short, if you've never heard of Landmark, it's an educational series that empowers individuals to let go of their past, their stories, and live life to their fullest potential, every day. I went into the weekend armed and ready. I had already learned about and given up my internal drama, and was ready to learn and find out how I could now conquer the world. Unfortunately for me, as it turns out, I didn't know squat. Talk about an overwhelming feeling of "Well shit, now what?".

On the second day of the seminar, our leader said something that will stick with me forever. Although he said this much more gracefully and boldly than I can communicate, he asked us, "What if you approached life as if you didn't know anything, and you had to discover it instead?" 

Whoa. What?

In an instant, the game of life completely changed its rules for me. A whole new realm of possibilities opened up, and the word discovery took on a whole new meaning for me. It was so painfully clear that I had been the only one responsible for having set limitations on my life. I was approaching life half-assed. Needing to know the answer (at least a version of it) before asking the question. I was setting myself up to succeed only at the level at which I had succeeded (or failed) in my past.

I walked into that weekend prepared to get what I needed to know. I walked away with an entirely new perspective and a new found love and infatuation with discovery. I want to discover what each day has to offer. I want to discover my amazing husband, not get to know him better. I want to discover what's possible when I don't set limitations beforehand. I want to discover what my breath and body can do every time I unroll my mat. I want to discover what my yoga practice opens up when I don't resist it. And mostly, I want to discover ME!

It's amazing what opens up when you let go of what you think you know. What are you ready to discover?

--

Guest Blogger: 

Cristina Houston

Houston, TX

http://002mag.com/category/07-community/non-profit/