Friday, May 14, 2010

Friday Challenge!

There is a Lojong slogan that reads "Having changed your attitude, remain that way." Others might say 'stick to your guns' or my favorite 'stay the course'. Today's challenge is to examine something that has come up in your life whether it be a creative project, a goal to which you are striving, a way of being (kind, forgiving, consistent...) or a practice (writing a thousand words a day, meditating, practising the accordion etc.). You'll know which it is. Trust me.
What I would like you to do with this project, attitude, goal or practice is to decide whether you want to stay the course or change the course.
Let's take the example of writing a novel. You might have one or two on the go or one or two ideas. You are working with one and you feel resistant perhaps. You find it hard to get to, you complain to those who are still left to hear you - that you don't have the energy you used to or you're old or you're out of ideas. Your challenge is to look at your decision to write this certain piece (have this attitude, practice this discipline, accomplish this goal) and decide whether you need to stay the course or change it. The simple unalterable fact is that it is you who gets to decide how your life goes. You might not think that is true but I assure you it is.
And another thing I'm knowing, since I'm in a knowing frame of mind this early morning, is that when we have writer's block or we are procrastinating or we're too tired to 'deal' then one of two things is happening. Either we have scared ourselves about what we have CHOSEN to do or we don't really want to do it.
So, dear readers, have a good hard look. If you decide to stay the course then your mantra is to stop yourself from whinging and whining about it EVEN TO YOURSELF and say "I chose this - hurrah!" If you decide to change the course then your mantra is "I will choose my course - hurrah!"
Good pluck! I know you can do it.

And on another note - here are the pics of the jacket I've been working on for Step-dot's birthday. the slogan from the front is from Tim Burton's Alice and in case it isn't clear it says "But this is my dream. I'll decide where it goes from here." And on the back is a design that is based on Tim Burton's drawing of the Mad Hatter. Whew! Hope she likes it.

10 comments:

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Stay the course and hit the tipping point or change directions? Hmmm...

Natasha said...

I think I know exactly what you mean. I am reaching that stage in a lot of things, and till I sort them out, I don't really know how things are going to be.

JournoMich said...

I think I better stay the course...but I have to make some changes or I won't be on the ride much longer. I mean, I haven't written in Lord knows how long!

Thanks for the inspiration.
Love the jacket-I'm sure she will, too.

Michele
SouthernCityMysteries

Hart Johnson said...

jAN, THIS IS exactly what I needed--for the fitness plan for me... I was doing so well--can't let go of the things I was doing right. I need to get back there, and STAY there...

And I love the jacket AND the motif... it IS my dream, eh? I will decide the course.

Anonymous said...

Will you be my step-mother? Oh! You already are!
Marion

Jan Morrison said...

hello all dear women -
Diane - yes - I like that tipping point thought.
Natasha - what you say reminds me of the myth of Psyche - who main chore to win the approval of Venus (mother of her lover, Cupid) is to sort thousands of seeds. Ants help her which means that nature, our natural selves, will help us with the chore of sorting out what is important and what is not.
Michele - I will send you a jar of Acme Bum Glue, OK?
Tartlett - that's the spirit and yes it IS your dream (except when it's MY dream but hey)
Oh Marionsky - I will be your step-ma, your fairy buddha-ma, your go-down-the-shore pal, your give-me-a-shirt-and-I'll-embroider-it friend and so on...there is no end and no beginning to loving you, sweet pea!

Faith Pray said...

Oh whoops! I tried to comment on Friday and it slipped into blog-netherworld. Thank you for the challenge. I am evaluating my projects and seeking contentment and the inner nod. The jacket is so clever. She'll love it!

Anonymous said...

Of course¡
yes! thankyou - I was PETRIFIED over that choice, the inner me knew I could do it, but the outer scared me was just - scared to inaction.

I feel so much better being reminded that I did choose tto be part of that project and I CAN do it.

whew!

thanks

Jan Morrison said...

Hi Faith - that is great - slipped into the blog netherland - I'm afraid so much goes there and where is there anyway?

Denise - you are so welcome - you are such a warrior babe!!!

Natasha said...

Just wanted to tell you again, that I love the jacket. I would love it on a t-shirt too, but nobody except me is going to understand what it means, and I don't need to flaunt it.