Take out the trash
I just came out of a silent meditation retreat in Palos Verdes and my mind is renewed. I’m empty, and for me, that’s freedom. See, the last time I tried this retreat (a few years ago), I found it to be a stressful experience. I couldn’t get present the entire three days and by the end, I actually thought I failed. Seriously! Meditating didn’t always come easy for me. In fact, I remember having thoughts that something must’ve been wrong with me because I couldn’t seem to let go. Worse than that, was I actually believed what I thought.
Thankfully, things have changed. As of January 1st of this year, I committed to a new and deliberate way of being. My intention was to live a lifestyle of peace while achieving my dreams. I decided to quit anything and everything that no longer served my best and highest good (many details in upcoming posts as well as some exciting results due to my commitment to this intention). But looking back, the change didn’t start there. Before we can take on even the noblest intention, we have to begin in another place. We must first take inventory of our thoughts.
If you haven’t seen, “Peaceful Warrior,” please see pronto. The film is based on the best selling book, “Way of the Peaceful Warrior,” which I’ve always LOVED. In fact, over the years, I have given many copies to friends. Needless to say, I was nervous to see the film because I worried the story wouldn’t translate. But it did! They delivered a magical inspiring movie almost better than the book. Nick Nolte plays the role of Socrates who trains Dan Millman, a college student dreaming of being an Olympian gymnast, how to be present. This is one of life’s most challenging tasks because we are either in the past or projecting the future based on our thoughts. In the film, Socrates teaches Dan many lessons but there was one thing he said that was unforgettable. He said, “Take out the trash.”
The trash is our mental garbage. You know, those thoughts of fear, doubt, worry, lack and limitation. These thoughts hold us back and keep us small, and are usually not true. Emerson said, “Don’t always believe what you think.” When we take the time to go within (meditate) and learn to become mindful of our garbage (observe the rampage), we can then begin the process of letting it go. In order to Quit to Win, the first thing we must learn to do is, take out the trash.
April 18th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Once again, some very solid points:
Sometime on Monday, the first candidate was "fired" this season on "The Apprentice", Martin Clarke talked for almost two hours with Majorie and Michael Carrino on "Armchair Apprentice", and they talked quite a bit in particular in what happened with you and the bus tour task when you decided enough was enough. What happened there last June in retrospect now foreshadows what you seem to be doing here.
While the hosts of "Armchair Apprentice" have said like many of us have that you did the right thing and there is a thing called cutting your losses, it's now obvious that not only you did the right thing then, you are doing what is probably the right thing for yourself now.
Walt
April 18th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Nicely done, Michelle. Well said.
Say more…
April 21st, 2007 at 10:20 pm
Quit to win seems to me like a seed that must die 2 grow, you are kinda like a seed, you got rid of all the stressful things, I think it will help you to grow as a better human being, (I feel inspired) hit me back!
Bye
April 23rd, 2007 at 4:13 pm
A stone is not polished by rubbing it with a gentle motion.
A blade does not obtain an edge by rubbing it with a soft cloth.
Mountains are not climbed by seeking the easy path.