My coaching business is called Big Leap and when I started on my Big Peace journey, I kinda thought that the two ideas were incompatible. Making big leaps can make you feel anxious, scared rather than peaceful.
But in the last month - I've been quiet on the blog because I've been off making all sorts of big leaps in my life -
I've realised that in fact a big leap is actually the way into the big peace. (No, this isn't a plug for my business, honest.)
What I'm realising is that when we are brave, when we have courage, when we 'do the thing we think we cannot do' - we leap right into The Big Peace. When we live the life we know is right for us or take the path that is right for us, yes, it feels scary but ultimately it feels peaceful. It makes me feel fulfilled, on course, on the right path.
When we procrastinate, when we pretend 'we don't know' and hang around in the shallows of making do or tolerating what we don't want, THAT is what can create most anxiety. That low level anxiety, which causes us to numb ourselves with drink or crap telly and makes us feel 'itchy for more', or has her reaching for the better handbag or better house or car. But when you take the leap into making the right decisions (for you) versus the ones that everyone says you should, life opens up and you feel full again. So we don't constantly have to reach for the other stuff to make us happy. Or you feel less grasping anyway.
What confused me was my inner pessimist who is always there screaming at me from the corner of my psyche. I thought that in my 'big peace world' the inner pessimist would be silenced, that I would hear bird song and piped music.
But no, by being brave, the inner pessimist is as loud as ever. Granted, if you tune into his mantra of 'you're not good enough/people will judge you and point/you'll end up a bag lady' rant, then it doesn't feel that peaceful. But if you can smile and wave and do it anyway, it feels like you can leap, embrace the fear and do it anyway. (Susan Jeffers was right)
I've made a big leap this month (can't tell you what yet but I'm sure I will) and although my inner pessimist is screaming, I've never felt so peaceful, on track, on the right path.
What would you do next if you were brave?
When we are brave
Goodness, what would I do if I were brave enough? Become a roly poly strippogram? Be honest, really honest with people who are upsetting me? Take a chance on buying a house even though everyone knows it's a dumb idea when you don't have a reliable income...oh, and pitch every dumb idea I have for a feature to some unsuspecting editor in the hope that one of them comes back and says "What a brilliant idea, yes please" instead of ignoring me or saying no...being a freelance JOURNALIST rather than a copywriter - Oooooh many things!
Posted by: Sarah | Friday, 27 June 2008 at 04:39 PM
Couldn't agree more. All the best things/decisions I have done required a huge amount of courage, belief and nerves of steel but the results are enormous. Unfortunately sometimes you stop yourself making a leap because of the effect it will have on those around you, your children, husband on whom it wouldn't really be fair if mum made everyone move country whilst she tried a new career. Thus the challenge becomes even greater - how to do it without upsetting the status quo, without being a complete selfish, egotistical person. As you know Suzy, I'm working on it.
Posted by: Jules | Friday, 14 November 2008 at 09:52 PM
Thanks and regards.
http://www.rapidsharemix.com
Posted by: Casey | Thursday, 14 January 2010 at 10:22 AM
Many who seem to be struggling with adversity are happy; many, amid great affluence, are utterly miserable. Do you agree?
Posted by: Air Jordan | Tuesday, 15 March 2011 at 09:00 AM