Beginner’s Mind

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” ~ Marcel Proust

A few months ago, I scheduled the last 10 days of July to attend an epic Yellowstone trip. However, when those plans deteriorated, I was forced to repurpose these 10 days. By letting go of my expectations about how the vacation was “supposed” to go, I was filled with curiosity about what was essential to fill my cup up and this allowed me to open myself up to new possibilities. Aware of the fact that time off from work is necessary for my mental health, I enthusiastically kept the vacation days. I explored, connected with friends and family, and am still engaging in a whole lot of self-care.

There are times when life can feel directionless. Perhaps we try to pursue a goal or passion for many years and it hasn’t worked out the way we had hoped. Maybe we’ve been seeking inspiration or purpose but it hasn’t yet materialized. Life can stall and the grip of stagnation can affect our relationships, career, and mental health.

How can we find new momentum after periods of sluggishness or lack of progress? Unfortunately, there is no magical formula to help us; but developing a beginner’s mindset can help us discover new sources of direction.

Beginner’s mind means dropping our expectations and preconceived ideas about something. Beginner’s mind teaches us that within every moment lies an opportunity to listen more deeply and see more clearly. When we are stuck, it helps us see things with a newfound openness and childlike curiosity. If we bring a beginner’s mind to life’s challenges, we can rise above the self-criticism and judgments that might be keeping us stuck. We can see beyond the insecure narratives that we might tell ourselves about our limits. By freeing ourselves from the gravitational pull of the past, we are able to imagine innovative ideas and scintillating strategies to get us motivated and moving in a positive direction.

Abandon the idea that where you’re at right now is wrong. Because it most certainly is a vital part of your journey. We all face obstacles. You are not alone. There is no way around the tough times of life, but know that during those tough times: we learn, we change, we grow. The unknown can feel scary, but if we can accept the present moment exactly how it is, we sharpen our resiliency and self-awareness muscles and this enables us to operate from a higher vibrational, authentic, and creative space.

Big Love.