Your Magenta Monday Magic.
One of my good friends told me I was one of the most disciplined people she knew.
At first, I was a little bothered by what she said. Doesn’t being disciplined mean that you’re rigid and boring? Did being disciplined impact my expectations of others? Did I judge them if they weren’t quite as disciplined as I was? Did it mean I wasn't carefree and open to adventure? Was I boring? 😴
Honestly, what she said wasn’t exactly news to me. I mean, I have been this way since college – starting when I was a freshman. After a particularly tough year, I found that I had gained an extra 20 pounds. Ugh. I hated how I had ‘fallen victim’ to that cliché! My steady diet of beer, bagels, and pizza – along with a side of stress – certainly hadn’t helped me avoid it!
There I was in San Diego – land of the beautiful, blonde people – and I felt like a bloated, brunette fish out of water. So, the summer following freshman year, I resolved to get laser-focused on becoming healthy. I signed up for aerobics (complete with shiny neon tights, g-string leotards, and leg warmers), got a subscription to ‘Cooking Light’ magazine, and set out on my path to health. The die was cast. I set my routine and did not waver. And guess what? Not only did the weight come off, but I felt better, and I learned to cook (albeit the 80’s version of ‘healthy’ cooking).
I was so impressed with what I’d achieved that I found myself wondering – what else could I do if I chose to focus my efforts? That question was soon answered – I began to see that San Diego State really wasn’t the place for me. While I had the desire and the wherewithal, I decided to head somewhere that might be a better fit.
After Sophomore year I transferred to Scripps College in Claremont – in many ways the complete opposite of SDSU! It suited me though, and I began to lay the groundwork for my life’s vision – going to a good school, getting a good job, getting married, having a family…. etc.
That focus and discipline that I developed as a freshman continued to serve me well, and I went on to fulfill goals through my college years and beyond. What I discovered was, when I coupled focus and discipline with routine, there was really nothing I couldn’t do!
It wasn’t all roses though – as my family grew and my career developed – the discipline that had successfully gotten me there also served to distract me from what was happening inside. I was so busy marching along on my path that I never slowed down long enough to see how I was feeling along the way.
Was I passionate? Was I happy? Did I feel like I had purpose? 🤔
And that is where my story started to fall apart. By the time I realized that I didn’t know the answers to those questions, I didn’t know how to slow the discipline train down long enough to step off and smell the flowers.
Looking back I can see now that I was very rooted in the ‘discordant masculine’ energy of push, drive, strive – which provided no space to check in with my feminine energy of connection, collaboration and intuition.
Fast forward to today … I have learned how to allow discipline to serve me without becoming so focused on the journey that I forget to enjoy the ride. I am more balanced in my discipline.
The key is empowering myself through routine. And my routine is strict! During the week I get up at 5:40, wash my face, brush my teeth, get in my workout gear, and meditate. Then I go for a walk, come home and head to the gym.
By 9:00 am I am ready for what the day has to bring, and I know that no matter what happens during my day, I have already nourished and nurtured my soul. 🧘♀️
Monday Mindshift
It’s the 1° shift that makes the biggest difference over time.
Many people say routine is boring. To them I say au contraire! It is actually the superpower that allows you to stay grounded and centered so that no matter what happens, you can stand firm in the eye of the storm rather than getting sucked into the storm itself.
I recently heard someone refer to discipline as the highest form of self-love, and I completely agree. Why? Because it involves a commitment to your future self – to doing something you may not necessarily want to do in the moment (like go to the gym) for the sake of your higher good in the future.
And that sounds pretty good to me.
Living BRIGHTer is...
B - Be Brave
R - Cultivate Relationships
I - Live with Intention
G - Practice Gratitude
H - Prioritize Health
T - Live your Truth
What is Magenta?
The color magenta is one of universal harmony and emotional balance. It is spiritual yet practical, encouraging common sense and a balanced outlook on life. Magenta helps to create harmony and balance in every aspect of life; physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Click on my calendar link to sign up for a FREE 45-minute Pathway to Purpose Breakthrough Session now.
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