I wonder, what would you be, who would I be, with no one to please? This also begs the question whether or not an integral part of us wants to please, and why? Stripped of judgement and all conditions, who do I really want to “be”? This is an important time to interject the reason I chose the word “be” and not “do”. I had an interesting conversation with a dear friend. Walking through her own “second act” life transition, she spoke frequently about things she wanted to do in the upcoming year. I asked, “but who do you want to be”?
Successful people moving into retirement find themselves searching for things to do. Doing is what made them so successful. We did, and did and did until things worked. Challenges around us? Well, we got busy and did stuff! In the practice of mindfulness, I will set my intentions to create a vision for myself of who I am on a journey to become. Constantly seeking the differences in doing and being. For example, does your “to do” list include writing a book or “becoming an author” or becoming a “life coach” or “self help expert” or “novelist”?
Now for the really important question…
Who will you become in the upcoming year on your journey without judgement? If there wasn’t anyone watching, if there wasn’t anyone to use those awful words like “should” and “need” to tell us what to DO!
I would encourage you today to meditate on who you are and focus on stretching yourself toward that person, not chasing him or her.