A bit of Mother's wisdom

This was my Mom's favorite response to me as a pubescent kid.

It seemed the phrase "I can't" was every other thought my brain could think of at that time. When I said it – it felt like a deep whine went along with it (not that my mother would tolerate the whining, she did not).

The phrase seemed to force me on my heels and reconsider whatever it was that I felt was stumping me.

Did I really want whatever it was it appeared I couldn't get? Was I just lazy? Did I need to ask for assistance instead? Is what I think I can't have what's required? What really was underneath the I can't?

I don't know where this pearl came from. But it was a bit of genius that got me to shift my thinking and got me out of my own way.

And here we are, in January once again. And the ether of this earth on which we stand is vibrating with all the post-holiday self-hatred, about what and how much we ate, what we could afford to do or give. I admit – I bump into this stuff too.

And then I consider the "I can't" in the midst of all this. And the response: can't means you don't want to, feels a bit heavy, albeit still true. So, more digging is required. Perhaps some questions may help to soften our points of view about our bodies and minds. So, when you have the glimmer of space to consider a different pov, try these:

If my body is saying I can't, and in the past, you would have pushed through...instead try asking:

Hey body, how would you like to move today? Or

How can I have fun with you today?

If your mind feels stretched to the max ask:

Hey mind, how much rest do you require? Or

With whom would you prefer to spend time (or not at all?) Or

Is this relevant?

Asking our bodies and minds questions gets us closer to a state of ease and is the surest path to finding our own way. The way that is unique to us. The way that doesn’t force us to conform to ideals that 1. we did not design and 2. are detrimental to our physical and emotional health. The only trick to asking questions of us is to trust the responses you get. Was it a flash of something you saw in your mind's eye? Was it a knowing or a whisper in your ear? Can you trust you? This is perhaps the most important question of all and I invite you to give it a try.