what type of decision maker are you? i was asked that once in a job interview and it was one question that i never had really given deep thought to. to this day that question continues to resonate with me. sometimes i can make very confident decisions but other times it takes me a long time always wondering and thinking about the pros and cons of each choice i am faced with.
today in my yoga class the teacher spoke of decision making and the light bulb went on. her experience sounded familiar, she has a hard time with decision making. she shared a story of a friend that gave her a little advice. it went something along the lines of this: "when faced to make a decision with choices, never think about flip flopping back and forth. if you feel that the other choice will offer something greater or that you will miss out you need to change your pattern of thinking. decide on what YOU want and commit yourself to that one hundred percent. it doesn't matter if you succeed or fail at what you decided, focus on creating the energy you give to it".
WOW- i think this is so powerful and so true. if we gave one hundred percent to the choices we make and never look back and say i should have or i wonder what would of happened if i chose something else, imagine the change in the power and energy of what you give to each decision that YOU choose. i am showing emphasis on YOU because as much as we all seek advice and find importance and understanding in sharing our experiences, decisions must authentically come from within YOU. yes making decisions are difficult but if we start looking at them in a different light and slowly change our thinking patterns, imagine how much more YOU can receive by focusing on giving one hundred percent and never questioning the what ifs. so through my lens, decision making involves commitment, dedication, being authentic, confidence and always giving one hundred percent to make the best of the experience. it doesn't matter if you fail or succeed.
days like to today remind me of how the "grey" sky seems to be a permanent ceiling in vancouver for months to come. and we all know how much everyone seems to complain about the weather here, i admit i am guilty of it- i am a sun worshiper. but today when i looked out and the rain seemed to be a never ending loud pound on the pavement. i actually thought this is beautiful. a refreshing, cleansing, nourishing, quenching drink for mother earth. instead of feeling down, complaining about wanting it to be summer, i finally fully embraced the beauty of a vancouver rainy day...finally. i ran under the grey skies, enjoying every breath of fresh air, thoughts about how much i enjoy cooking comfort food for the soul, warming and moving my body in a yoga class, being wrapped in cozy sweaters, scarfs and going for long walks in my rain boots. there may not be the same buzz and energy that we get from the brilliant radiance of the sun's rays kissing our faces, but i'm learning to draw an energy from the grey sky + rain that will bring me to a place of an energetic uplifting light. making homemade soup, a long walk in the rain, a smile or listening to an inspiring song. something so simple can turn feeling down into a warm glow of goodness! so instead of falling into a slump fall in love with fall.
doesn't it always seem that when you plan to leave for a long trip everything happens at once. needless to say, it's all under control but of course the last two weeks leading up to my departure, life is hectic and there seems to never be enough time in the day to get things done, which is definitely a feeling i dislike.
two things i do have in check is my indian visa to get me in the country and my latest version of lonely planet india (thanks to my friend at raincoast books here in vancouver for getting it to me). i'm still feeling a bit in denial that i am leaving in two weeks! leaving my husband behind for a whole month and embarking on some kinda crazy adventure! whoa!
the packing will hopefully happen soon but i am usually one to leave it till last minute. let's hope i plan a little better this time around.not to mention i am what you call an "extreme over packer" always questioning should i bring this or not, then end up stuffing it in my suitcase and never using it. so my mindset is simplicity.....let's see how that goes.
i'm just happy that i have my passport + visa to get me in the country & my guidebook as a useful resource. two important things.
today marks three weeks (eek) till i land in delhi. part of me excited, part of me nervous and a part of me still can't believe it's happening. the first part of my trip will be volunteering at a girls' orphanage near delhi. back in january i started do some research to go and volunteer in india. i found this amazing resource for volunteer opportunities around the world: www.omprakash.com and from here is where i got connected to AIM Abroad. i have always known deep down that i wanted to help, give back, somehow improve the lives of the less fortunate. i traveled to africa last year and it really hit me when i was there, i still have not been able to shake it off and so now i am embarking on trip that promises to be inspiring, emotional & difficult at times. all i hope is that i can make some sort of impact on the lives of these children.
so with that being said, my journey starts at the delhi airport. can't wait for the unfamiliar smells, chaos and people. it's all part of the experience and for me i am in for the ride and ready to surrender.
there is something about the sunshine coast that always brings a smile to my face.
the energy, the scenery, the air.
we rode our road bikes with our gear for the weekend from horseshoe bay to gibsons, bc. i hadn't been on the ol' road bike since june, but what a lovely way to explore and travel. it also taught me to pack light, which is something i am still learning.
the weekend was full of hilly road rides, picking fresh blackberries, late afternoon swims in the ocean and making delicious dinners and fresh blackberry pie.
surrounded by great people and the warmth of the late summer sun.
sounds pretty nice right!
