The Ask Sharon column as it appeared in The Area News on Friday 28 August, 2015.
Following is a copy of the full version of the column featured in The Area News complete with the “Focus” card from Colette Baron-Reid’s The Wisdom of Avalon Oracle Cards.
THIS week Liz asked:
“The years are passing by so quickly and I never get to do the things that really matter to me. What can I do about it?”
There’s the list of things that we need to do daily then deep in the recess of our mind is our ‘wish list’. These are the things that if we had more time, money and energy we would jump at. And because they are not considered priorities, they remain as wishes – desires that go unfulfilled.
The problem is that they don’t go away. When something is important to you and you continue to ignore it, there is a constant feeling of dissatisfaction.
Best-selling author and Life Coach Cheryl Richardson encourages us to, “Imagine for a moment that cords of energy run from your body to everything undone or incomplete in your life. Some cords are wider than others, representing those items that have more energy flowing to them (often the items that we fear the most, like the unfiled tax returns or the medical problem we’ve been avoiding).”
This week’s card “Focus” from Colette Baron-Reid’s The Wisdom of Avalon deck, depicts a path leading into a forest. Most are familiar with the phrase, “Can’t see the forest for the trees” where we are so engrossed in the details that we fail to see the bigger picture. And that is really what your question is about.
The “focus” card is copyright to Colette Baron-Reid, 2007.
Tips on how to back yourself and not back out of what really matters:
- Be mindful of how often you have inspirational ideas or projects but then quash them with ‘logical’ reasons not to carry through.
- Don’t underestimate the feeling of accomplishment. When we set out to achieve something and take the steps toward it, the sense of triumph can bring tremendous joy.
- Write down your wish list and pick one thing to ‘focus’ on. Sometimes we have so many things we’d like to do that we decide not to pursue anything – so choose just one and commit to that.
My ‘one thing’ to focus on has been exercise, more accurately to get outdoors in the sunshine and walk. I saw a TV advertisement about Steptember and took this as my sign. The fact that you get to exercise and help people with cerebral palsy only adds to the good feeling of doing something that matters.
For added motivation, I used my Flybuys points for the latest and greatest fitness-gadget, a Fitbit. I’ve charged my iPod and donned my sneakers, now if I could just find my Nike shirt…
Send your questions for Sharon to editor@areanews.com.au
Don’t want to ask a question by email? Simply complete the contact form on this blog. Use the message box for your question and it will come directly to me. Only first names will be used unless you complete the form as Anonymous. Ask away…you may be pleasantly surprised by what the cards reveal.
Today’s card has been drawn from The Wisdom of Avalon Oracle Cards. Image and card is copyright to Colette Baron-Reid, 2007.
Today’s quote by Cheryl Richardson is from her book, Take Time for Your Life, copyright 1998.
A little extra information…
For additional insight and meaning into today’s “Focus” card refer to the material below from the guidebook.
Focus: It is time to draw your energies inward. Let go of all things that are superfluous and unnecessary at this time. Focus your attention of the job ahead. Do what is in front of you, no matter how small the task. Clear focus is required.
Be mindful to stay in the present. Avoid looking back or too far forward, for it is only in staying in the true present – the now – that the power residing in this Sacred Journey Marker can be used for the benefit of all.
Your path is marked with the need to regroup and remind yourself of your goal. Then stay in the present time and do what is directly in front of you. Only one small, focussed step at a time will place you at your destination.
If all else fails, think Nike’s trademark JUST DO IT! I even wrote a blog along those lines titled, What Nike and yoga have in common for those who need that extra nudge in the right direction.
