Student Of What Now?
I remember my childhood when my grandpa used to say, "We live and we learn.” As much as I loved going to school, I also remember being terrified by that sentence, thinking there's no way I'd have to face exams, grades, and evaluations for the rest of my life?!?! Give me a break!!
Little did I know what he meant by that phrase, and little did I want to admit to myself how much of a nerd I've been EVER SINCE FOREVER. Learning is innate, and I can't imagine functioning any other way.
So, as schools have recently started, and September and October bring the "Back to School” buzz (khm, side note: I know the buzz is over for quite some time now, but in my head, summer just ended 3 days ago, and I just welcomed autumn), I've been reflecting on what I'm currently a student of. Right now, I'm a student of many different things, and my current school is MY FAVORITE so far. I call it the SCHOOL OF LIFE! Do not know why did I not enroll earlier?!?
Ok, ok, Maria, so tell us what is that school about?! What are the skills you are learning atm? Dear all, here they are!!!
1. Patience
I'm learning that not everything happens instantly and that good things take time. I know it's such a cliche, but I am such an impatient person, and when I have a goal or an idea on my mind, I want to execute it right away. And omg if only you knew how many ideas pass through my head per day… I recently attended Tea Zavacki’s Mastermind group, where we talked a lot about being consistent and how being consistent is crucial for success. Consistency takes us places, but for it, you need A LOOOOOT of patience. So being patient is the muscle I'm flexing. How do I do it? I remind myself to go step by step and follow the flow. Another thing that helps me a lot is just reminding myself that sometimes the time is not right just now… which does not mean it will not be very soon… so be patient… <3
2. Going with the Flow and not being so attached to the final goal
You know why? Because the goal is just a direction anyway!! Trusting the flow and guidance means being flexible enough to change course if needed. Surrendering, which by the way was my big theme this year, means embracing change for JUICIER AND FRUITIER outcomes. Ahh, I should have called this lesson “surrendering” ;).
How am I practicing that? Well, I must say thank God for my intuition. I've sharpened it so much through meditations that it just allows me to much more easily tune in and let go of things. For me, it really works as a comforting whisperer saying, “Don’t worry, we got you.” So to go with the flow, it helps me a lot to keep building my relationship with my intuition.
3. Navigating Freedom
Uh, big and beautiful one. Entering entrepreneurship sounds so much fun with all this freedom in front of you. Until you realize that freedom comes with responsibility at a whole new level. It comes with a structure that you need to figure out for yourself. And it comes with you even realizing all of this. It comes at a cost. Here, I am also learning what responsibility means to me, and what is my own definition of it. And the more I think of it, I see this skill as the foundation for all the others. How do I navigate it… Huh, I don't have a recipe, for me it's still an ongoing process of understanding it and becoming aware of it, but I must say that in my case, it came with me being much more open in articulating what works or doesn't work for me and why, as well as becoming very protective of my energy and my boundaries.
4. Non-Judgment
I've realized my own judgmental tendencies and how they harm me by feeding low-frequency thoughts and feelings such as anger or blame. Recognizing that everyone around me is just my mirror, I started asking myself - what is it that I judge in myself while thinking that I judge in others? This one really took me on a journey of another skill… #5
5. Opening My Heart
This skill is about connecting mind and heart. It makes me feel good, softer, and more compassionate. It helps me tune into myself and protect my boundaries. I will dedicate my next newsletter to how I am doing it, so if you are not on the list - I invite you to join at the bottom of the page.
6. Confronting Fear
This one is about learning how to act, share, and speak my mind, even when I know not everyone will approve. I do it because I am more and more aware of this precious opportunity we all have, which is to come to this earth, be born, and be given the opportunity to live. Why not enjoy it to the fullest, instead of hiding in the corner? So how am I doing it? I just act, despite the fear. What I have noticed is that over time this discomfort just becomes part of the journey.
7. Slowing down
The mother lesson and skill of all the skills listed above is my most important one that I am crafting every single day. It is how to slow down. Because without it, I wouldn't be able to notice all the phases am I going through and integrate them and then from that point expand in this profound way that I did over time. It's a process I committed to a year ago, and I'm still wholeheartedly dedicated to it. How do I do it? I constantly choose to honor my needs first and foremost and respect the time that I need for myself to clear my thoughts, to check what I need or how I feel and see if there is anything that needs any kind of adjustments within me.
In this school of life, I'm acquiring essential life skills. The only teacher giving grades to my progress is me. How do I grade it? Based on how I feel. Do I feel happy with my discipline? Is my heart open? Am I judging less? How effectively do I respond when I catch myself being judgmental? How do I feel about my new structure, and so on.
I find this journey and mastering these skills to be a constant evolution, and the school of life is something I would just recommend to everyone.
I wonder… What school are you in? What are the skills you embracing, and would you recommend your journey to others? Share your thoughts with me. Remember, we live and we learn ;)))
Wishing you the most beautiful,
Purple Aura
