Again, these traps are equally impactful, and the order is somewhat unscientific! Let’s get to it.
It is so tempting in this life to do what gets us by in our everyday lives. How many times have you made the choice to not do something risky or challenging or that may change your status quo?
This choice comes from an innate need to feel safe and secure, even though that ancient drive is inapplicable to our modern lives.
The second trap, for some, doesn’t appear to be a trap at all. Yet, like quicksand, it kind of sneaks up on you!
Yet, this choice of safety drives you off track and headed for a dead end job, or being stuck in your current job.
The need to be comfortable and complacent overrides our desire for growth and development. For many, you want to remain safe and in many cases, unnoticed.
Consider these questions: Do you use the TV to zone out after a long day at work? The Internet? Facebook, Myspace, etc.? Or do you use a beer or something stronger at Happy Hour?
Do you even remember what happened at work last week, or do you go through much of your days on autopilot?
There are indicators all over your life that show you the choices you make.
Bottom line: complacency is the enemy! Being comfortable is very safe, however it does not challenge anything within you. Your energy and power is diminished in this way. You end up functioning and living at 80%, then 60%, then 40%, then you are barely ticking over. And you wonder how you got there?
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Life is an adventure, and adventure requires energy, excitement, willingness, discomfort (sometimes!), stepping outside your usual way of doing things. Frankly, it requires you at full strength, at 100%. If you are not growing, as has been reported and stated by others, you’re dying. When you get complacent and overly comfortable, you have signed your death warrant, you end up feeling deadened to life. You are saying no to life, to excitement and to full expression.
The work I am doing now, being in front of audiences and speaking my truth, is by far not the most comfortable part of my life! I would much rather be sitting on the couch, much safer, much more comfortable. However, I was barely living when I did only that. So I chose a different avenue.
And perhaps even more importantly, if I had stayed on the couch, I would have denied the gifts that I am meant to give, and not supported you and many others that I can assist. This is not from ego, this is being of service and caring.
I’ll talk more about this a bit later.
HOW CAN YOU USE THIS?
I am not advocating constant challenge and stress! That is not the point. What I am recommending is be observant of your predominant home or recreational activity. Are you growing or learning something regularly? Are you doing things that stretch you or excite you? Learning a new hobby, a new skill, going back to school for your own education (not for the job), being a positive influence at work even? Are you intentionally using activities and methods to recharge and revitalize your male energy?
Being pro-active also puts you in the present and more fully you.
HOME EXERCISE
Write down the activities of the last week. Pick a day, or a blend of days. Use this list of activities, where you put your energy:
Work Sleep
Exercise Play
Relationship Friends
TV Reading
Study Spiritual practice
Paperwork Other (____________________)
What percentage of time did you spend in each area?
Ideally you can come up with 100% all together.
When done, go back over the list and now write down the percentages you really want to have in each area. Be honest!
More to come!
To your best life!
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