The Intentional Way

I am a self-declared spice wimp.

And I'm ok with that. However, it doesn't stop me from trying spicy food. I recently had something that made my eyes water, my nose run and my mouth lose its ability to taste anything. It was uncomfortable. Why did I do it if I knew that's what was going to happen? Because honestly, I wanted to be a little uncomfortable so that I could ease out of my 'spice wimp' status.

My strategy: make it fun and easy. I had a glass of milk and some bread on hand (to take away the heat). I just ate a little, not a lot, so I could taste the food. I went with a friend who chuckled with me as I panted and drank my milk. The experience was fun. And I soon realized, not that uncomfortable.

I wonder, just how often do we do something that makes us uncomfortable, on purpose? And I don't mean dangerous stuff, but something, that when we have the choice, we'll do because it makes us just a little uncomfortable. What strategy do you use to help shift your mindset from scary to silly?

Here are a few other things that make people uncomfortable, and as we learn to master them, bring us whole new worlds in which to operate:

Public Speaking. Toaster Master's International was born around the idea of helping people become more comfortable with speaking.

Challenging Conversations. Fierce Inc, a local Seattle company helps people with candid communication.

Talking to your kids about sex. Birds & Bees & Kids, has programs that can help, and even Oprah has tried to help parents get more comfortable with this subject area.

Shoes. Well, there's one case where you really shouldn't be uncomfortable. If they hurt your feet they probably aren't doing you any favors, unless they are meant to mend your feet.

Talking to strangers at a party. Just think, we're all passionate about something and these people are really just strangers until we choose to move them into the 'potential friend' category. Finding something in common helps and the person who's hosting is always a good place to start (how do you know Jennifer?). 

What's something uncomfortable you've done recently, that when you were done and through it, made you feel like you could do it again and maybe even better next time?

Here's to a bit of discomfort!

"Continuous effort — not strength or intelligence — is the key to unlocking our potential."
— Winston Churchill: Was an author, soldier, and the U.K. prime minister

There's that persistence thing again. I'm beginning to think there's something to it. (grin)

I'm not so good at consistent, but I am good at continuous effort. I realized that it doesn't always look the same, and the effort may be more than the day before. I guess that's the point Mr. Churchill was getting at - just keep putting one foot in front of the other and see where it takes you.

You don't have to have a Master's Degree or a Mr. Universe sash to live up to your potential. But you DO have to DO something. A little something, continuously, everyday.

I'm wondering if that applies to running. Maybe if I keep doing it 1) I'll learn to like it and 2) I'll get better at it (and therefore learn to like it!). I bet that applies to anything: Yoga, making speeches (or cakes), writing, speaking Spanish, forgiveness and understanding. Yep. I bet it applies to a lot.

What's one thing you can do with continuous effort that would help you unlock some of your potential?

"I cannot always control what goes on outside.
But I can always control what goes on inside."
~ Dr. Wayne Dyer:

We can't always control what happens to us, but we can always choose how we react to it. That's another way to say the same thing as Dr. Dyer is getting at.

We can work with breathing techniques, affirmations or meditation to help control what goes on the inside. Most important is to realize that we always have a choice in how we respond or react to any situation, whether we could control it or not.

What do you do?

It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power. ~ Alan Cohen, inspirational author, speaker

Monday is a great day to start fresh, with courage. It's a new week, an opportunity to embrace the seemingly secure and prepare to do something different. Take a different route to work, switch to tea instead of drinking coffee, eat a healthy breakfast, let another car ahead of you, say hello to employees and find out about the weekend and the week ahead before getting on the computer. There are any number of things we can do things that are more intentional, more meaningful and more powerful.

What small change can help you start the week off more powerfully, intentionally?

"The universe will fill your cup — if you carry a big cup, a little cup, or a thimble!"
— Sonia Choquette: Spiritual teacher and author

 Ready to be filled with inspiration, learning and what else? (photo by Michelle Constantini)

Do you start your day ready to be filled up or already full and unable to learn or notice something new?How often do we fill someone else's cup?

It seems to me that Ms. Chorquette is on to something. There are many teachers who recommend starting the day empty, peaceful and ready to be filled with what the day brings.

Leave room in your daily agenda for synchronicity, surprises and new connections. Those who do, lead a richer and more fullfilling life and more often are also a lot less stressed.

What have you got to loose by trying this experiement? Probably nothing, but your stess level... Give it a go. Let me know what happens...