Last week I tried to do better for myself, for my body, and I still wasn’t listening. I was trying. I wasn’t actually doing the things I needed to do to support myself. I was trying. I resisted the attempts to establish new habits, new patterns. I was trying. I wanted to rest more and take movement breaks. I was trying. I wanted to remember that essential oils really do help me manage emotions and use them. I was trying. I wanted to get back on track with weekly habits I consider anchors in the process, so that when I don’t accomplish other things, I can still feel satisfied with the overall view. I was trying.
There is a definition of try in the New Oxford American Dictionary that reads “3 [with object ] make severe demands on (a person or a quality, typically patience): Mary tried everyone’s patience to the limit.” In hindsight, I think this is the definition of trying I operated with for the last week, maybe longer.
There is a stage in the process where trying is essential. It is the part when we get to see that we can do a thing and how it might go, what it might feel like. If I wasn’t open to trying, there’d be no Owl Create. We learn grit and resilience. We learn what works for us. We collect data. Effort and try are key elements to beginning and expanding. Try makes the action possible.
Then, for me, there are times when try gets in the way. I can’t get to what I want to do because I’m trying to get there. I am not doing the things. I’m trying to do the things, and 99% of those times that I’m trying and it is not happening I find that there are other forces tugging for attention. I need stillness. I need to stop everything and get quiet and listen to the full story, not just the outcome I’m pursuing.
This week I begin again. I’m not getting back on track. That hasn’t really been working out. I’m going back to that beginner’s mindset, and I’m going to try on some new things or give old things a fresh spin. I’m clearing the habit trackers (I don’t actually use those yet, but maybe this is the week to start?), and I’m opening to the possibilities. Today I fed my body some nourishing movement first, then I wrote this blog for us. I’ll be on the line for Atmosphere at 9am ET, and I’ll keep showing up. And when I catch myself saying, “I’m trying to do it/get there/make space,” then I’ll let that be a reminder to check in around what is getting in the way.
Where does try serve you? Does try ever get in your way? I’d love to hear from you. Drop a line in the comments, send me a private email or book a curiosity call if it feels right.
I remember us having a conversation about this some time ago and it stuck with me…..You are so right. It does seem that any time I say “Im trying” the thing “Im trying ” never happens. Thanks for the reminder, sissy…..this is good stuff!😉