Learning to Live
To learn: the process of acquiring new or modifying existing knowledge.
To live: to incorporate, to put into use; behaviors, skills, values we have learned.
In the morning we can bring to our consciousness the questions“What can I learn about myself today? How shall I live today?” This can put us in the state of willingness to be open and find out what is really going on, instead of mindlessly doing what we’re used to. We can, we need to, begin the day with aspirations, and a practice of opening and growing. Otherwise, we let our old behaviors of pursuing personal pleasures and ways to manipulate and hide take over. We really do want to live fully. Pay attention and learn from those things that hinder happiness, and those things that promote happiness.
Begin your day with a positive, reflective practice. Otherwise we may slip neatly into our old behaviors and not progress as we really want to. It takes practice, courage and discipline to see clearly about ourselves and lighten up a bit.
We are all children in some ways, and we need to lovingly guide the child in us into a life of growth and caring for our self and then for others. And soon we see there is no difference, myself or others.
Start by letting go of all the difficulties and problems you foresee, and the doubt you feel. Sit for a few minutes with a sense of complete love and compassion for yourself. Keep letting go of your doubts and fears and just hold yourself in loving arms.
Meditate with the phrase — “May I be happy, May I be at ease, May I feel Loving Kindness” Say it slowly, numerous times. Feel each phrase and let it sink in… Then ask yourself,“What can I learn about myself today?” This is the difference between all of the things we have heard about and learned that we keep thinking are good ideas, and actually beginning to LIVE them.
As you go through the day ask yourself,“What am I learning?”Put a sticky note up in the house, at work, a reminder on your phone. “WHAT AM I LEARNING ABOUT MYSELF?”
It might bring the awareness that you have many behaviors that are so automatic, you follow them without thinking. For example, you may think you’ve learned that you have a resentment about someone or something. What you have really learned about yourself is that you are used to, and almost enjoy rolling around in being a victim, “poor me,” and you are afraid to take an action, with kindness, that you should. Or, a time when you exhibited patience and kindness, while doing what you knew to be right. Both are learning experiences, and you then choose what you incorporate into how you live.
We may learn that we re-act in fearful ways, afraid to be authentic. We worry what others will think. We learn that we CAN consider the question “What do I think is good and right?” Not “What will others think?” We learn that when we consider what we are doing, or are going to do, we can modify our behavior to open to compassion and peace, instead of re-acting with selfish behaviors. It is so wonderful to take what we have learned, and not re-act, but to act and live, willingly with kindness. Takes courage, but we can do it!
When we live what we know to be good, we begin really living, not just trudging through life. It’s like being able to finally take a full, deep breath, instead of breathing just enough to stay alive.
We may learn that we have feelings and emotions that are difficult to deal with. It would be a bit of a miracle if that weren’t the case. We can live with these difficult emotions by accepting and working with them, not promoting and rolling around in them. We work with ourselves by living the path of kindness, not requiring immediate results. There are harmful things that have happened to some of us that were not our fault. They may need time and forgiveness from us to begin healing. And we may need to work with outside help in addressing some harms. Please do find whatever help is needed to be able to come to grips with, acknowledge, and begin working through, any past harms. We cannot permit an underlying sense of unworthiness, fear, pain or resentment to be a guiding force in our lives, it will hinder and misguide us.
Living is having a wonderful sense of appreciation. Appreciation for how we are kind and caring. Appreciation for when we are brash and cocky. Appreciation for knowing that brash and cocky is only covering fear. Appreciation of being afraid, because with an awareness of fear we can step into it, and through it much better the next time. Appreciation for when we screw up, because we can learn to accept our screw-ups, learn from them, and aspire to do better next time. We begin living the love we are feeling for ourselves, and bringing that to others. Appreciate many small things every day. Many people walk around with a frown or a dark look on their faces, for no particular reason. Be one of those that has a small smile or a more relaxed attitude. Wonder what you might BRING to others. Appreciate your life.
“I had created a tremendous amount of pain and disappointment for myself because I kept looking externally for something that could only be found in the depths of my own heart and soul. Fortunately, I realized that no lasting peace, happiness, fulfillment, worth or self respect could ever be found in other people or places – and definitely not in the “things” of the world.” — Blake Bauer, You Were Not Born To Suffer
The only way out of our misery, be it in an addiction or just everyday life, is to go deeper into OURSELVES. That place we keep avoiding. The only way out — is in.
“It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” — Jiddu Krishnamurti
“The rich man is not the one who has the most, but the one who needs the least.” And is satisfied.
Most of us have learned many, many things. And most of us have not yet begun LIVING what we have learned to be good. One reason is that we are lazy. We’ll continue to get by on “good enough.” Or that we are afraid of the light. We don’t know who we’ll be if we change our habits and beliefs.
If you are to begin truly living it will have to come from your heart, not from your head. It can’t be forced on you. When the time is ripe, it will occur. Keep learning and living the best you can.
At night you can ask, “What did I learn about myself today? How did I live today?”
I cannot think of a better question of myself than, “How am I living?”
I do not have to succeed in everything I try. I do need to love myself and care for and love others. Even the difficult ones, which sometimes means me.
LIGHTEN UP. That is what permits you to see clearly: the light. Let the darkness fade.
How do you fill your bucket? One drop at a time
The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step
The great arises out of small things that are honored and cared for
May you be well. May you be happy. May you find peace.
Heart Of Recovery web site — fcheartofrecovery.com