How do you know, though, if you are shining?
As always, begin with you. Find a quiet spot and reflect on the following 20 questions. You can ponder them in order, not in order, one-at-a-time or in whatever way that serves you. You can think of specific instances for each or simply how you tend to be in your life. And, no need to share your answers with anybody. You won’t receive a prize or a reprimand. This is an honest check-in with you, for you. If you notice yourself wanting to answer correctly, brag to your friends of your shining qualities, or lament what a terrible person you are, go ahead and gently release those ideas. There are no right answers. There is only what is.
Shall we?
1. Did you know that being honest and being direct are not the same thing?
2. Do you live more in curiosity or judgment?
3. Are your words/thoughts/actions contributing or contaminating? (adapted from a Dr. Phil saying)
4. Do you frequently say things like “I’m the kind of person who _____”, “that’s just the way I am” or other similar phrases?
5. Are your thoughts/feelings/actions from a place of inspiration or desperation?
6. Are you listening or waiting to talk?
7. Are you living consciously or self-consciously?
8. Do you have a bigger intention for your life/job/relationships than yourself?
9. Do you speak up, speak out or not speak at all? Why?
10. Do you share your ideas and opinions with the desire to be right or the intention of being in a meaningful dialog?
11. Are you reacting or responding?
12. Do your conversations end with “Whatever!” or begin with “How do you see things?”
13. Are you willing to change your mind?
14. Do you muscle through or relax into?
15. Are you motivated by obligation or opportunity?
16. Is what you are saying helpful or harmful?
17. Do you sometimes replace (i.e., avoid) feeling with thinking or being with doing?
18. Are you hiding out, hanging out or hanging in there? For the sake of what?
19. Is it usually someone else’s fault?
20. And the biggie - do you feel embarrassed by these questions or enlightened?
What I keep learning in life is this: Freedom is what happens when we stop hiding from what is. From this place of acceptance, we can move forward, grow and take action that is needed. Even more, we can allow ourselves to be in our most natural and intended state – to shine.
Shine on, everybody!
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