Tag Archives: inspiration

by Madisyn Taylor

Like a tree our growth depends upon our ability to soften, loosen, and shed boundaries and defenses we no longer need.

Trees grow up through their branches and down through their roots into the earth. They also grow wider with each passing year. As they do, they shed the bark that served to protect them but now is no longer big enough to contain them. In the same way, we create boundaries and develop defenses to protect ourselves and then, at a certain point, we outgrow them. If we don’t allow ourselves to shed our protective layer, we can’t expand to our full potential.

Trees need their protective bark to enable the delicate process of growth and renewal to unfold without threat. Likewise, we need our boundaries and defenses so that the more vulnerable parts of ourselves can safely heal and unfold. But our growth also depends upon our ability to soften, loosen, and shed boundaries and defenses we no longer need. It is often the case in life that structures we put in place to help us grow eventually become constricting.

Unlike a tree, we must consciously decide when it’s time to shed our bark and expand our boundaries, so we can move into our next ring of growth. Many spiritual teachers have suggested that our egos don’t disappear so much as they become large enough to hold more than just our small sense of self–the boundary of self widens to contain people and beings other than just “me.” Each time we shed a layer of defensiveness or ease up on a boundary that we no longer need, we metaphorically become bigger people. With this in mind, it is important that we take time to question our boundaries and defenses. While it is essential to set and honor the protective barriers we have put in place, it is equally important that we soften and release them when the time comes. In doing so, we create the space for our next phase of growth.

These are good

http://time.com/4166814/morning-rituals-happy/

1. Have Something to Look Forward to.
2. Manage Your Mood.
3. Eat Breakfast.
4. Do Something You Dread. (we have the most self-control in the morning!)
5. Send a Thank You.
6. Plan How You’ll Deal With Challenges.
7. Kiss Somebody You Love or Give 5 Hugs a Day (or both!)

….Own your responsibility about your health – physically, mentally, emotionally. Pay attention to what you consume. Because what you put in your body will affect your body. Pay attention to what you put in your mind, who you hang out with, the things that you decide to focus on, the way you are – your integrity – your authenticity….who you are and how you show up in the world – and how you show up for yourself. Don’t hide behind a mask – don’t puff up, don’t shrink – show up …as your most authentic self. If you don’t like who you are right now, keep picturing and moving towards your most ideal version of yourself and you will get there. Be comfortable with changing, and letting go of things/people/situations that are not serving your best self. Choose carefully who you are going to spend your time with. Let go of all the garbage – and there’s so much of it in our world today. Pick carefully – curate – what you are going to put in your brain and in your body – so that it doesn’t diminish your inner light – but it contributes to making it shine brighter.