Deb Erikson
Here
is an evolving list of everything I've learned so far....
FIFTEEN
SECRET RULES TO "HEEDING THE CALL"
(and Living Life)
Rule #1 - Approach every experience as a chance to learn. This is my first
step at addressing perfectionism. I now approach every new tapestry as
a chance to explore any new technique or thought I want to try to express.
This removes the 'pressure' to create something amazing, and it becomes
a healthy learning experience. Very true in LIFE.
Rule #2 - Use the Bonus Approach!
The end result is merely the bonus. The important part is the journey.
Remember the dream where I followed the Stream of Joy to its source? After traveling
for a long time, I realized that the journey was the important part.
Rule #3 - Just get off your butt and DO
IT! If it's going to happen you need to start. That's the hardest part
-walking over and starting...
Rule #4 - Remember, it's supposed to be fun! If what you think you "should" do
is proving to be very unpleasant, rethink it! When I'm weaving I usually have
this goofy grin on my face the whole time (it's actually one of my "guides" -
if I suddenly grin I know it's the right direction) Just keep going where the
grin takes you...
Rule #5 - Let your curiosity RUN WILD
Curiosity DID NOT kill the cat! It's what makes life rich and beautiful!
Curiosity is what leads me to some wonderful and unexpected experiences!
Rule #6 - TRUST YOURSELF
When you trust yourself, you are letting God speak through you. Stop second guessing
yourself, appreciate yourself.
Rule #7 - Life is full of teachers, you just have to learn to recognize
them. Hint - They are the people in your life that make you want to be better.
Jame Ralph is one of mine. He showed me how to be a Hand of God.
Rule
#8 - Undoing
is as important as doing Sometimes experiences in life warrant undoing.
Not hard, you just have to recognize when to do it. ALSO recognize when
to stop and move on...
Rule
#9 -
Listen to your soul, God whispers in your dreams. Sleep time is when
we are more
open to God's whispers - time to listen and remember. In fact, if
you have a dream journal by your bed and you jot things down, when you
wake up you'll be amazed at what you can remember.
Rule #10 - Gather your support system and
give them a GIANT HUG. Everyone needs a support system to thrive. Look
around and appreciate those in your net. And, Hey, it goes both ways.
If you are living Life, you are part of many other support nets.
Rule #11 - Celebrate your Hope Holders
I met a woman that was severely mentally ill - institutionalized from an early
age. When she was 19 she was catatonic and the doctor told her she would never
get out, never go to school, never have a job, never live a "normal life." She had one case manager that believed in her - her
Hope Holder. When I met her she was 30 years old and was living on her own, working
full time as an advocate. Hope Holders are those folks in your life
that believe in you even when you can't believe in yourself. Once again - as
important as recognizing your Hope Holders is to BE a Hope Holder.
Rule #12 - Let the old stuff go - you don't need it anymore. We all carry old
hurts and pains, different burdens we all experience from living. They
served a purpose at one time, but they no longer do. It's time to let them
go and to release them from your life. I had the Endingbeginning Ceremony
to celebrate Letting Go of my time of illness - and symbolized that by
burning the couch!
Rule #13 - Celebrate ALL the Joy in your LIFE
AH - my favorite. Family, friends, all the loved ones in your life. I must
say, my cats and dogs also fit into this category! As does reading, gardening,
knitting.... Life is SO FULL of Joy - it's time to experience it!
Rule #14 - Remember what is REALLY Important...Oh Yes - loved ones - your Hope
Holders, the people you are a Hope Holder
for. Sometimes I need to tweak my perception a bit to really SEE.
Rules #15 - FORGET ALL THE RULES LIMITING
YOUR LIFE - after all, you made them in the first place.. And you will
discover the ultimate bonus - SELF ACCEPTANCE. For when we love ourselves
and stop those nasty little demeaning voices that we all hear, we
can once again hear God.
May you find your true calling and have the courage to Listen when God calls
you.
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