You are at the Center of Your Life

In qi gong, yoga and regular old fitness at the gym, the instructor always says--it all starts from the center.  The code word for that nowadays is the core.  Just like an apple has a center--its core that started with its core--a seed--and without that seed, it would never develop into a round piece of fruit we'd recognize at the grocery store, we too have a core inside of us.  This is both physical and metaphorical.  When what is inside of us is firmly planted and nurtured, we have the power to grow into what we imagine.  Strengthening and protecting the core is significant because the world around us can be harsh.  We might get blown around by influences that interfere with our own value, standing and stability.

You get the metaphor. You are smart.  But, let's consider how often we might let something that interferes with our core values hinder us.  Consider that your times is a precious commodity as a core value.  You take care to guard it so that you say NO to what you don't care about and YES to what you do care about.  On a daily basis, that might mean that you say NO to sleeping in and YES to getting up early and getting your day started on the right track.  It also might mean that you say NO to things that take up too much of your time and offer too little in return.  What if someone said--how about we go and do a field trip to the mall for...?  And, you know this person always takes an excessively long time to look and select items.  Maybe you declare that you have an hour for this activity, but then you have to go.  That preserves your interests (your CORE value that your time is precious) and also allows you to enjoy your friend and your activity together.

The pandemic has given us extra time to think about what matters.  Life has changed so drastically, we can't help but reconsider how we live.  Giving away your time for people or things that don't matter to you is not fulfilling.  It leaves less time and more resentment in its wake.  

It's time to reflect on what you really care about.  What are those seeds that have been planted by your parents and teachers?  What is waiting for more nurturing?  What needs to grow a little more, inside of you, so that you get more life outside of you?  And, what might you consider saying NO to, so that you strengthen your CORE, your resolve, to say YES to yourself?