What’s Your WHY?

First of all, belated Happy New Year to you all!  I’m still finding it hard to believe that we are in 2023.  And with the New Year comes the usual (if brief) focus on New Year’s Resolutions, but more on that in a minute.

I had planned to get back to you a week ago, after just a week off, but even though I knew the topic I wanted to explore, I just couldn’t bring myself to even turn my computer back on.  Yes, I was “checking in” with email regularly on my phone, but I actually went over a week without my computer.  Why was that?  It just didn't feel like I had given myself enough of a break.  So while in the past I would have pushed through and done it anyway, this time I decided to listen to my body, my gut, and my heart, and wait until I was truly ready.  And it feels very empowering to be able to give myself that permission, to allow myself to do so without judgment!

As for New Year’s Resolutions, we’ve all made them, and followed through with varying degrees of success, but I think we all know by now that their track record isn’t stellar.  Might there be another way?

You’re likely here because you’re interested in finding out HOW to live a healthier life, to extend your Healthspan, not just your Lifespan.  At a certain level we do know and understand that we will need to look at our current habits, giving up the ones that don't serve our health goals, all the while building up and reinforcing new habits that do.

And it’s quite likely that many of us have tried before to change to healthier habits–often via those New Year’s Resolutions–only to give that up at some point and go back to what we’ve “always” done, much to the detriment of our health.

So what will be different this time?

Where we might have relied on willpower in the past, that can only take us so far, because our bodies are biologically wired for survival, and we can only fight against that for so long!  It turns out that simply trying to think a new habit into existence, using only the logical side of our brain, and using willpower to drive our behaviour, isn't nearly enough.

Instead, can we find a means of motivation that will allow us to stay with the new habits long term?

Choosing a new habit to develop will be more successful if it’s something we deeply know to be important and valuable to our life.  

And how do we gain that deeper knowing?  

By listening to the wisdom of the body!

You might have heard me say: “Meditation is the Keystone habit” ~ why is that?

Research shows that developing practices such as mindfulness, meditation, self-care and healthy choices will go a long way to support a transition to a new you – less stressed, more resilient, better able to thrive in this ever-changing world.

We’ve all had moments where we’ve felt the wisdom of the body, whether gut feelings, or a knowing in the heart.  And we’ve often recognized that these feelings are in opposition to the logical messages from our head!

Which part of you is right?  Which part of you knows the “truth”?

Chances are, it’s your body that knows what matters, so why not ask it?  Ask your body what matters.  Ask who you are right now, and who you want to become.  Get in touch with what really matters

So how do you discover what really matters? By listening to your Inner Wisdom!

As you meditate, get in touch with your inner wisdom and ask questions like:

• What matters to me right now? 
• What is true for me at this moment?
• Who do I want to be as a person?  
• And this may lead you to the answer to this question: “What is my WHY?”

And then Listen.  Allow for Insight and Wisdom without any thinking. No right or wrong, and no need to censor. Just allow room for whatever comes and receive it.  Allow the answer to arise from within – no need to think about it – just allow it to arise naturally without effort.  And if nothing arises, that gets to be here too.

Then as you reflect back on your insights, ask:

• Is this insight or awareness aligned with my truth?
• Does this suggest a direction in my life?
• If so, what changes do I need to make in my life?
• What small, doable action step might I take in the next day or two that leads me in this direction?”

Answering these questions now, by inviting wisdom from the deepest, truest part of yourself, may just help you find the answer and the motivation in “What’s My WHY?”  

And notice if the answer to this question empowers you to make a different choice!

Recommended home practice:

• Take a look at your schedule, and decide when “sitting in silence” for 5 to 10 minutes will work for you. Let everyone know you are not available at this time!
• Begin with a focus on your breath, noticing each inhale and exhale, or using other practices such as mantra with which you may be familiar.
• After a period of time, place a hand on the center of the chest, feel the connection to your wise self, and pause. Let this touch of your hand on your body connect you to your Wisdom deep within. You may also think of this as connection to Spirit.
• Inquire of the wisdom that dwells deep within, noticing what arises.
• Then take a few minutes to reflect back, and ask the reflection questions above, to discern “What’s My Why?”
• Then the next time you have a choice to make, a habit to practice or let go of, remind yourself of your “Why” and see if you feel empowered to make a healthier choice.
• And remember, a regular practice will increase the strength of what shows up!