Sitting

Theme song: Sitting

Friends, sitting was magical.

Here's what I learned, in case I didn't already know:

My instincts are good. Taking ten days to process the last four years was the greatest gift I could have given myself.

I've made some mistakes, yes. That's what happens when you bet on yourself and go for the life you really want to live. At first you won't know how so you will have to do it wrong and occasionally fall on your face. If that bothers you, wear a helmut. But keep going.

I am shyly, cautiously, optimistically proud of myself. Six years ago, I started with almost nothing in the way of what some people call "real life" experience. I was a little ol' yoga teacher hangin' out with the kids and the cat.

Although I wish it could have happened faster, I have built myself into a professional writer and digital strategist. All stress and uncertainty aside, I have fun doing this work.

I feel like saying, "Can you flippin' believe this?! Mamacita believed in herself and it paid off! She is doing meaningful work for reasonable pay and she gets to spend time with her children and her sweetie!

Dreams can come true. I'm a full believer in want what you have. However. There are times when suddenly you realize you now have what you *really,really* wanted.

I think some of you know that Laura came with me on the retreat, voting, as it were, with her feet (as you know, it's not just anyone who is willing to meditate for 11 hours/day 10 days straight). What I discovered, tears of joy streaming down my face, was that my heart's desire is a partner who wants to live a moral lifestyle.

Whoa. Hold on! What's that?

Friends, we don't talk about a moral lifestyle much these days without sounding like a freak or a right winger (are they different?) but here goes:

• Nonharming
• Nonstealing
• Truth
• Refraining from sexual misconduct and
• Refraining from intoxicants

These are the precepts we agreed to. At the end of the day, most people really don't want to commit to living like that. If you look at their behavior, you will see that they, too, vote with their feet. They lie, they steal, they have affairs, they take a few drinks and then hop in their cars.

The purpose of the precepts is to help people discover reality as it is, not as you or I might wish it to be.

No place to run, no place to hide.

Most people keep pretty busy running and hiding -- trying to get what they want when they want it with little regard for what it will cost themselves, the people close to them or the planet they call home.

Those who know me know I've done my share of running and I've done my share of hiding.

Now, accompanied by a loving, supportive partner and my own commitment to practice, I'm doing my share of sitting.

That's called, in practice, "holding your ground." Sometimes not easy, always worth it.

Your Turn

What have you been doing lately?