“Being a warrior is not about the act of fighting. It’s about the ability, courage, and commitment to end the war within oneself and not quit until the job is done.”
~Richard Machowicz
Note: This is the first in a series of posts to inspire and support everyone in seeing through our so-called lives and awakening to the truth of our actual lives. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be posting articles that offer perspectives, reflections, and tools to support you along the path. I’ll be happy to answer any questions and walk with you if the going gets tough. I invite you to join the inner revolution – for freedom, full potential, and peace in every moment.
How serious are you about your happiness? Are you a dabbler in your quest for fulfillment? Are you settling for good enough, peaceful enough, confident enough?
If these questions strike a nerve, you probably know, in your heart of hearts, that you’re letting yourself slide. So one more question: are you ripe for taking a giant leap in your journey to be free of conflict, stress, and dissatisfaction?
If so, I am here to support you 100%. For I have discovered that a tremendous power is released when we orient our lives in the direction of truth and clarity in every moment. Yes, every moment, as this is a 24/7 deal.
Dedicate Yourself and See What Happens
This level of dedication bears fruit. When we are willing to allow every moment to teach us how we are still stuck, to guide us into alignment, to discover the “Yes!,” the strong pull from our tendencies subsides, and our natural life, the one we were meant to live, begins to take shape.
What is my evidence? The progression of my own life journey and that of many others who have undertaken the ultimate commitment. Over time, confining belief systems fall away, old stories no longer fit, and triggers have nowhere to land. Circumstances rearrange to allow a life guided by joy, beauty, and love to emerge.
Every Moment Supports Our Awakening
If we take an honest look at what life offers us, we will discover more support than we could ever have imagined. Every moment gives us what we need. Take this one, for example, even though it may not be the most exciting moment of your life. You have been moved to read this post, and it is affecting you in some way. Maybe it inspires, maybe it brings up fear or comparison, maybe you are bored.
Whatever reaction appears is yours to explore. If a desire to act arises, follow it. If your fears need attention, investigate them to see how they control you. If you’re not getting a “Yes!,” turn your attention elsewhere.
It’s that simple. When we pay attention to the truth of the moment, our troublesome patterns are revealed and the next step becomes apparent. Happiness is not conceptual. It is revealed moment-by-moment as the conditioned tendencies that throw us off melt away.
All Habits Need to be Seen
Sounds simple, yes, but it is not always easy. Who among us hasn’t played out patterns we aren’t proud of? In our relationships, we might be needy or argumentative or frightened of closeness. We might carry around baggage that we haven’t had the courage to put down. We place boxes around ourselves about how we are supposed to be, then live in disappointment waiting for life to start.
This is why 24/7 is so important. Our habits are sneaky. They run deep. And they are so familiar to us that we can’t imagine another way. Our job is to see them, to get to know them so well that we can make a choice to not let them carry us. When we are super aware, we realize how we hide from the truth of ourselves – eating, drinking, busyness, “poor me” stories – and we embody the strength to let the truth be seen. We revel in our capacity to listen to the deeper wisdom that invites us to navigate our lives with skill.
Can you see how generous life is? Opportunities abound for our awakening. Every uncomfortable twinge, every nuance of sensation in our bodies is information that can take us to deeper understanding and clarity. The truth is available, revealed in its glory once we take our happiness seriously. 24/7.
Is your deepest longing a part-time hobby? What do you notice when your commitment intensifies? What holds you back from committing? I’d love to hear…
image: striatic
Lance says
Gail,
Well…this just really strike a chord (in a good way). Your words are landing upon my heart (that place that I sometimes resist fully listening to) and touching off a sea of ideas. Of course, now…to act more fully and consciously upon them! (24/7)
I want to thank you for writing this, and in that – also taking me deeper within my own being. It’s a wonderful place to “be”….
.-= Lance´s last blog ..The Moment =-.
Gail Brenner says
Your comment makes me smile, Lance. I love your enthusiasm!
When we take on the fierceness of 24/7, we’ve set the stage for transformation. I’d love to hear how it goes for you.
Sending love,
Gail
Tom says
The quote really struck me. It opened me up to the article. Thank you.
Over the past couple of months, I’ve started taking life and happiness, an hour at a time. I focus on what I’m doing for that hour and enjoy being in the moment. Each of those hours build a fine day. Every hour may not be the best. Having even one fantastic hour makes a better day.
Gail Brenner says
Hi Tom,
A warm welcome to you. I’m so glad you came to visit over here.
I love your approach – so simple and relaxing. Here is life – this hour, now this one, and so on. When we live in this way, we are actually living, not caught in the mind thinking about the past and future. We enjoy ourselves, we live in appreciation, we see the beauty. And if a difficulty arises, we roll with that also.
Thanks so much for sharing this with everyone. I get a sense of the daily joy in your life.
OccasionallySerene says
Thought provoking. The journey is difficult at times and wonderful others. In the moments that I do not stay present, I find my greatest challenges. 24/7 is huge goal. I love it as a mantra of sorts. Would you mind if I ran with that one a bit? Gail, I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
.-= OccasionallySerene´s last blog ..What could you If you could forgive yourself- your partner- your children- your parents- your friends- your siblings- your enemy =-.
Gail Brenner says
Run with it, OC!! 24/7. And I would also suggest seeing it as a goal (which has a future connotation), then letting it go – meaning bringing your attention back to the present.
The 24/7 occurs only in each moment. We are either awake to it, or we are not. If we tend to judge, we do so only when we step back. The mind then sees a loophole and starts evaluating and judging. If that should occur, in that moment, the thought pattern of judgment can be investigated. In any moment, we can find our way back to freedom.
I love having you along for the journey…
Clearly Composed says
Wow…there are some great questions there to roll around in and have fun with! Bringing balance into my life has shown, and is showing me, that dedication and commitment to what truly matters is life changing stuff on a variety of levels. I love how you talk about all we need being available in the moment. There’s a bounty to be found in the now. 🙂
.-= Clearly Composed´s last blog .. Balance In Action =-.
Gail Brenner says
Beautifully said, CC. Making the dedication sets a momentum in motion that is beyond anything we could dream up. Things just seem to take care of themselves, exactly the way they need to, when we step out of the way. I’d love to hear more about the changes you have noticed in your own life.
The bounty in the now. If anyone doubts it, I invite them to investigate and see. Our minds might try to convince us that something is missing. But when we look at the evidence, the fact, the fullness of the moment cannot be denied.
Thanks so much for your wise words.
Christopher Foster says
Hello Gail. I love your fierce insistence that if true happiness and peace is what we wish for ourselves and our world it’s a 24/7 job. I sometimes think that one of our enemies is the habit of thinking we live in a constant flow of time,” a sea of “present moments,” when perhaps there is only one moment. The eternal moment. Come to rest there and we have a basis to meet whatever comes and — be happy.
Gail Brenner says
What a beautiful contribution, Chris. I appreciate your clarity. The concept of time is in the mind only – but we can’t get to that understanding through the mind. Only when the thinking relaxes do we realize the eternal moment.
Most people are attached to the mind to some degree or another. So the question becomes: how to point the way to the eternal moment, when the mind won’t be able to help. I have found it useful, as an interim step, to invite people to pay attention to “the moments of their lives” so they become familiar with being with the arising and passing of experience without the story and how the mind works. As the investigation of reality deepens, this activity, as a “doing,” is no longer needed, and it falls away naturally. What is revealed is the timeless truth, the eternal now, where everything is met effortlessly without disturbance. Even “meeting” isn’t correct, as there are not two.
Certainly, if we plateau at the idea that life is a series of moments, a deeper exploration is called for. The ultimate understanding is the unspeakable truth – no concepts, no identities.
We may differ a bit on this point – would be happy to hear your reaction.
Christopher Foster says
Beautiful Gail. Clear as a mountain stream. I’m with you 100 percent. The way you outline this ability we really do have to relax a bit and simply pay attention as you say to how the mind works, is masterful.
No need to make the mind an enemy, but no need to be fooled by it either. Just a wonderful friend and instrument that needs a little bit of watching, if we want to discover authentic happiness..
I don’t have to go far back in time, I can think of times today when a troubling thought or emotion rose up from my mind’s depths complete with story. The mind really is a master story teller isn’t it?
But the door of freedom beckons. We have the opportunity and the ability as you say to see how thoughts and experiences come and go — and develop a stronger awareness of what doesn’t come and go — our own true presence. Ever read any of Gangaji’s material?
.-= Christopher Foster´s last blog ..Eat- Pray- Love- Is authentic happiness in Bali — or in you =-.
Gail Brenner says
I’ve been with Gangaji many times, Chris. Maybe I’ve seen you at a retreat?
The mind is a master story teller, and I have found it very useful to get to know the mind well. Now I can say, “Oh, that’s judgment or planning or labeling/categorizing.” When we know the mind’s functions, they become transparent to us.
I appreciate your kind words and your clear insights.
Hilary says
Hi Gail .. good – sounds just what I need this series .. I’ll be in my own place again this week – & can then ‘get on with life’ .. so these thoughts will really help.
I thought Tom’s idea .. focus for an hour and enjoy to the full .. the day will be lived happily and in a fullfilled way .. great thought too ..
Thanks – Hilary
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Under Sea Sussex – Tompot Blenny- Piddock- Devonshire Cup Corals and Jewel Anemones =-.
Gail Brenner says
Hi Hilary,
Yes, enjoy this hour, this minute, add them up and see what happens. I loved that idea also.
Wishing you a peaceful week…
Ross says
Gail,
I am a total dabbler in my quest for fulfillment.
I am great at starting things, intellectualizing and really struggle taking the actions that move me forward.
I sign up for workshops, look for inspiration and insights in the blogging world. This is what brought me to your blog.
For me, what holds me back from committing is a combination of fear and habits.
Limiting belief that I am not good enough and that I can’t be happy, don’t deserve to be happy .
I think one of the things I have found helpful is asking myself, does this expand me or does it contract me?
So the habit needs to direct me 24 x 7 to expansion and it needs to be a heart committment.
The head always gets in the way.
Gail Brenner says
Welcome to you, Ross. I am so happy you found your way here.
You expressed so much insight in your comment. I feel your longing and your frustration. The question you are asking yourself – does this expand me or contract me – seems to be right on. The head, the mind, is likely to lead you to contraction – the heart to expansion, as it sounds like you have discovered.
I understand dabbling, fears, and habits, and I know well the longing for fulfillment. I also know the fruits of the 24/7 dedication. Only you can find your way through, and I totally trust that you have the wisdom to take that journey. We are all here as a support for you.
rob white says
Hi Gail,
I like this… pursuing our aims and aspirations is really a 24/7 job. When viewed rightly our moments of self-doubt are opportunities for growth. Everyone is serious about the ‘I am’ they create… why not be serious about creating an ‘I am’ that is committed to living harmoniously?
.-= rob white´s last blog ..BE-ing passionate is EXPRESS-ing with passion =-.
Gail Brenner says
Great addition to the conversation, Rob. Thanks!
Self-doubt or any difficult feeling or habit, are all potentially opportunities for growth. We have a choice: be identified with them, be frustrated by our inability to change them, or meet them with an open heart and a curious mind. When we meet them openly – that’s when transformation is possible.
I love the “I am” of living harmoniously – it starts inside, then expands to every life situation.