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Mindful Minute
Take a breath, go right to the pic below, click & listen, or breathe, read, listen.
Hi Friend,
Last month, I was invited to be the keynote speaker at the Knights of the RoundTable networking breakfast in New Jersey to talk about, "Overcoming Life's Challenges with Focus and Balance".
During my keynote, I spoke of "mastery not being about perfection." This was not the main point of my presentation, but simply a belief I share when speaking about the stress we put on ourselves. Yet, it seemed to resonate.
Later during the breakfast the host asked the group to share what resonated. My assumptions about it resonating were correct. This point received many nods when a member brought it up. So, here I am today, sharing it with you by this article.
Click the pic to listen, then read on. (or click here to listen and read on my blog)
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My
take on mastery is that it is not a place we arrive and allow our egos
to reign. It is not still, stagnant or unchangeable. It is not a place
we arrive after much hard work.
For me, mastery is about
practice, ritual and the journey. We practice so that we can learn
without the burden of mastery. In this way, mastery is a path, a
journey we take when we want to learn a skill or improve something about
ourselves.
Mastery is about practicing enough so that the skill
you aim to hone is made perfect simply because you are practicing. And,
mastery is measured not by perfection, but by how readily available
this skill or characteristic is when you need it.
Let's
look at meditation as an example (OK, no surprise I choose this for my
example ♥). If you seek to master meditation you may not master it.
Your mind may never be perfectly still, and the monkey may still jump
around inside your head. Actually, with meditation, perfection and
striving are counter productive. Yet, with practice, you may master the
art of quieting your mind and enjoying the peace it brings to any given
moment.
In the beginning of your practice, it may take more time
or more breaths to find that peace you seek amidst the noise around you
or in your head. Yet, with practice, eventually one breath may bring
you the peace you sought when it took more time or effort.
For
me, this is mastery, i.e. not that all is perfect, but that you can call
on the skill you need in any given moment more effortlessly and
quickly, as-needed. It is about the journey of practice, and the
progress along the way.
Not striving or stressing are key
elements of mastery. When you master something, perfect is the
moment it all seems effortless ... even if you need to continue to practice.
So, I am curious. What ritual will you create to help you master your skills while creating peace in your life? Email me or join me on my Facebook page to share.
Wishing you mastery of your peace and prosperity! |
| | P.S. Need help working or living from a place of less stress? Click here to learn about how I can support you in mastering your life of less stress, more creativity, productivity and joy. You may want to consider coaching, joining our Retreat Muse Studio community, or learning to lead heart-centered virtual groups online. These are just a few ways of bringing mastery and peace to your life and work.
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