Inspired Living

 

 

This month has been filled with some rather interesting adventures. It was a big month for me—I turned 40! My husband completely surprised me. After my mother-in-law turned 60 a few months ago and the family threw a surprise party for her, I assured my husband he didn’t need to do anything like that for me. Well, unbeknownst to me, there was already a plan in the making.

Last Friday night my husband asked me to attend one of his performances (he is a professional folk singer/songwriter and tours with a band called Storyhill—they are currently signed to a label called Redhouse). It was about six o’clock, and I was cozying up early, already dressed in my pajamas! Needless to say, he had a difficult time convincing me to go. “Please go to the concert with me honey,” (yes, he had to resort to pleading) “I don’t want to go alone.” He looked at me with those big blue eyes. Of course I couldn’t refuse him. As we pulled out of the driveway I turned to him and said, “You owe me!” “Yes, I know,” came his loving response. As we walked into the supposed “venue,” the owner turned to my husband and said, “Thanks for coming and playing for us, Chris, on such short notice.” We then rounded the corner and walked into a room of 40 or so people simultaneously yelling “SURPRISE!” I couldn’t believe it. In fact, I had a difficult time registering that I was actually attending my own surprise birthday party instead of Chris’s concert. It was so great to be with wonderful friends and family. My first surprise party in 40 years, and I don’t think I’ll ever forget it! Hope your November was filled with surprises and special interactions with friends and family too.

 

The Secret to Succeeding
Before You Even Start

 

It felt invigorating to be outside in the crisp Montana air with beautiful blue skies above. What a gorgeous day to be out. I reveled in the anticipation of chopping wood and enjoying the sheer joy of just being alive. Well, that lasted for all of 10 minutes—my surreal joy and bliss, that is. Actually, it took a rapid nosedive into sheer frustration. I had carefully placed a log upright on the ground. I clasped the splitting maul in my hand and poised it high above my head. Then I swung. Much to my dismay, I was greeted by the dull “thud” of ax meeting earth. “No big deal, I just need some repositioning and maybe more focus,” I muttered. I made the necessary adjustments, and eagerly raised my maul again. Down it came, making not exactly a piercing smooth “whack,” but more of dull resistant “smack,” as the ax bounced stubbornly off the wood.

Okay, so who am I to quit after just a few attempts? I raised my maul once more, determined not to be defeated by something as simple as an inanimate piece of wood. I knew I could prevail; I’d done it last year, after all. Finally, after several sad attempts I was greeted with a most satisfying, “whack!” Hurray! Triumphant! I had finally succeeded. What had I done differently this time? Well, anyone who has successfully chopped wood, or split boards in karate can probably tell you. On this swing I had actually anticipated the ax going completely through the wood and being on the other end of the wood as it split in two, instead of hoping it might make it, thinking it might make it, or wishing it would make it. This simple internal shift resulted in many successful swings. My body began to relax as it adjusted to a natural, easy rhythm. I felt the wind on my face, the smooth ax handle in my hand and the sheer joy of using my body to accomplish a purposeful activity.

Have the true intention to succeed

How many of us aim for goals and swing our axes high only to miss the mark entirely and experience only the soft “thud” of the ground? Or, how many of us meet the frustrating resistance of the wood with a most disheartening and unsatisfying “smack?” Many of us begin the journey of achieving a task or goal with only a half-hearted commitment. We say to ourselves, “I might as well give it a try and just see what happens.” We lack the true intention of succeeding. We lack the faith. Then we simply shrug our shoulders when things don’t work out, and complain that it was due to external forces beyond our control. Reflect on all that you’ve done, and all that you’ve attempted to do this year. Which tasks did you complete? Which did you abandon? Which ones are you working on right now? Ask yourself, “What is my intention?” Are you only halfheartedly trying? Or are you really experiencing your ax on the opposite end of the wood, where it has already sailed smoothly down the grain and separated the log in two? It’s an entirely different feeling to begin a task with the anticipation of completing the task successfully. You can feel it in your bones. This is the energy I encourage you to tap into. There are no “maybe's” or “what if's.” It’s a matter of truly knowing and expecting 110% success. With the ax raised high above your head you’ve already succeeded in your mind and feel the success in the core of your being. It makes all the difference, knowing instead of just hoping.

 

Live and Love Richly Minute Action Step

Think about a goal or dream that you've had a difficult time achieving in your life. Have you been coming mostly from your head? How would it feel if you applied the chopping wood principle above? Feel yourself knowing that you will succeed and having every intention of succeeding. See yourself succeeding past your goal. Feel yourself already on the other end of the wood. Make an effort to tap into this feeling each time you focus on and begin moving towards your goal or dream.

About the Author

Leslie Cunningham, CTACC, “The Financial Dating ® Expert,” has over 17 years experience as a service professional, leading groups, presenting, and helping individuals and couples achieve success.  She is dedicated to helping couples build wealthy relationships and turn their money & lifestyle stress into inspired action. 

If you liked today’s issue check out Leslie’s free articles, teleseminars, and workshops, which offer step-by-step guidance on creating wealth & closeness for couples. Learn more now at http://springwindcoaching.com

© 2006-2007 Leslie D. Cunningham

Spring Wind Coaching  |  7781 Nez Perce Dr.  |  Bozeman, MT 59715  |  Phone 406-586-5561

www.springwindcoaching.com 

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