Practicing the practices

Author’s Photo [ The whole world is actually perfectly on time!]

While I may not be a very consistent participant here at Substack, there’s an ongoing “pull” to be a reader of the content presented by others. So much so that the never-ending story about “who do you think you are” too easily influences the “heart and soul energy” I need to be sufficiently tapped into… energy that may result in content worth sharing. Of course, then there’s that word – worth – at which my soul voice responds with “according to who?”.

A recent conversation with a dear friend involved chatting about an expression my mentor Gladys has used for years. The statement - “Don’t you know who I am” – was part of her “acting” persona and all of her followers loved watching how she would present herself as she would say those words. Spectacular might be one way to describe it, as she would give a slight twist of her head, a shrug of her shoulder, and a look bordering on disdain - quickly followed by a smile that lights up the world. Pretty sure you can tell that she is one very loved wise woman.

Then our conversation took another slight turn with a suggestion that along with the “Perfectly on Time” mantra might I consider adding “I don’t know who I am”. Words, words and more words… black and white – right and wrong -  your belief and mine -  your perception and mine. I think you get the drift…LOL.

There are times when I get caught up in Substack posts and could just sit and read for the entire day – chasing off down multiple tracks of thoughts and ideas because so many of them are interesting and relatable. My mind slips into fourth gear (or fourth dimension…you choose… LOL) and zoom…. it’s like this plethora of never-ending comments and ideas to be shared!

But wait! The “comparison” voice has jumped into the squirrel cage and suddenly there’s absolutely NOTHING to say. Because don’t you know… I’m not a published author – I don’t have any degrees – being in the 4^th quarter is probably a detriment and who on earth could/would possibly be interested in whatever might land here.

Crazy making at its finest with a most important piece being left out and forgotten. The encouragement that has been extended from some kind and generous Substack contributors… that ALL I have to do is allow this one voice to come forward by writing from that heart and soul place. Not to be better than – not to be worse than – rather to just remain “Perfectly on Time”.

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This post is probably more of an extension to, or expansion on, my last one as I continue to question and explore while giving it my best shot to embrace living in what I now refer to as the 4^th quarter. Could it be that the questioning and exploring truly is all “Perfectly on Time” and simply a continuation of a story I can’t begin to know or see the end of?

The idea that I may have made a “soul agreement” to come here and travel through this “life story” was introduced to me by Neale Donald Walsch and has been further reinforced via Suzanne Giesemann. A more recent consideration has been this.

IF an agreement was entered into with a view to coming here to the earth-school to learn about and embrace a significant virtue (like forgiveness or compassion), wouldn’t it then be reasonable to see that ALL of my “Perfectly on Time” experiences have been presented so I can “practice”? And, in that practice maybe, just maybe, awareness of characteristics and behaviours that stand in the way of moving toward one or more virtues can be uncovered, discovered and discarded.

I’ve spent over 40 years embracing 12-step recovery programs and as I look at that statement, I realize that’s more than ½ of where I’ve been and where I am in this life story! In the earlier days the “what ifs”, “could haves”, “should haves”, played a lot of havoc. I’m grateful those pieces seem to have quietened thanks to a network of like-minded souls who have always been in my corner so to speak. Another gift has been that idea of “practicing” things like:

• Pausing long enough to change my “mind”

• Replacing old ideas with new ones

• Asking if what I’m about to do or say is going to be harmful or hurtful

• Listening without interrupting [can be difficult and still requires a lot of practice]

• Offering encouragement - as simple as saying “well done” or “good job”

My theory of always being “Perfectly on Time” continues to reinforce in me that those “practices” will never land me at some kind of final perfection where I will no longer be required to “practice”. Instead, there’s now something more like an expectation that the practices must continue until my exit date. AND….it will naturally be imperative that “willingness” remains as a key component of the practice.

So, now I’m trying this on for size…. with a slight shift in my view, might the idea of being here as a “spiritual being having a human experience” not only have merit but also reinforce that ALL experiences are simply more opportunities to practice?

Suddenly it seems the universe is once again conspiring to show me that (1) the use of “Perfectly on Time” and the word “practice” are in fact being embraced by an entirely other collective (although perhaps with the use of other words); (2) I’m not alone in my thinking; and (3) my best option for modelling virtues that potentially serve a “greater good” is to listen to that quieter “soul voice” and be content with whatever ripple effect occurs through doing the next right thing, moment by moment, to the best of my ability.

Author’s Photo [One foot in front of the other]

Today, one of my daily readings included, this sentence:

“I wanted to learn to live in harmony with myself and others so that I could also live in emotional freedom.”

I continue to find levels of connection with other writers here at Substack and want to acknowledge them in hopes that others may also enjoy their work.

David Michie, Ramona Grigg, Prue Batten, Donna McArthur, Janice Walton, Felicity Spector  and more recently Mike Sowden @everythingisamazing.

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