Summer officially began this week, which is wonderful for summer-loving people. Warmer weather is predicted for several weeks. It is good for autumn-loving people, too, because the days slowly are getting shorter, heading toward the colorful, cooler time of year.
Last night I turned off the lamps in my home and enjoyed the glow of fairy lights, those I rarely turn on in summer. Sitting in stillness with that gentle glow, I wanted to stay up later to enjoy the silence. Summer can be so stimulating that having extra time for quiet feels essential.
Lately, I have been thinking ahead to plans I am making for autumn. Looking ahead while wanting to stay present in the moment is a unique dance we get to do as human beings.
This leads me to the first post in a series that includes practices and words of wisdom from authors, artists, and poets. I have stored these in my mind over the last few decades through my MA degrees in comparative literature in the 1990s, as a lecturer at university in the early 2000s, and as a teacher and author in the fields of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness since 2008. I hope you enjoy them, too.
Alignment
Align what you think, what you say, and what you do.
The first time I heard this guidance, I had been feeling off-track on my life path.
It felt odd to feel off-track because at one point in the past, it felt like I was heading in the right direction. Then, some years passed and new realities came to light about myself, my work, and my relationships. I began to feel that as I was barreling down the highway of life, I zoomed right past an exit to a different highway meant for me several miles back.
After hearing about alignment, I noticed how my thoughts, speech, and actions were no longer aligned. It made me realize how important it is to keep checking in with myself about choices I made earlier to see if they are appropriate for where I am now.
Having that guideline has become a touchstone for me when I feel adrift.
It doesn’t mean that suddenly I can make all the changes I need. It means I can see what questions are asking for my attention.
Mahatma Gandhi has been quoted as having said, “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
I have found that alignment leads to more than happiness. It also can lead to health, fulfillment, and vitality.
When I get out of alignment, it means it is time to be brave and plan for taking a leap or a small step in a new direction. The leap doesn’t have to look as big as a new job or new home. It can be taking on a new perspective, a small addition to a daily routine, or making a list of steps for a bigger leap.
Checking in with myself regularly helps me stay true to my unique, internal compass and heart whispers so I can observe my thoughts and align my words and actions. I hope it can feel useful to you, too.
A Practice to Check In for Alignment
· Take a few moments to relax by taking some deep breaths, looking outside, and letting yourself sink into the sights and sounds of the moment.
· Think about something in your life that you are grateful for. Spend a few moments letting that feeling wash over you.
· Shift your awareness to something that is not going the way you want, yet.
· Take a moment to describe the situation on paper or simply talk it out for a moment or two in your mind, so you’re clear about what the issue is.
· Ask yourself if you are clear about what you want out of the situation. If you feel any hesitation, then perhaps you aren’t clear enough.
· Once you are clear on what you want, notice if you have spoken clearly and truthfully about that to the person with whom it matters most in that situation. Have you been clear, have you told the whole truth, and have you been kind? That person might be yourself, your partner, or your colleague.
· If you haven’t spoken up about it, take time to figure out why.
· Once you have spoken about it, it is time to take action in that direction. It reminds me of this quote attributed to Henry David Thoreau in Walden:
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.”
Sometimes this kind of checking-in practice can take five minutes, other times we might want to give ourselves a half hour each week if we are going through a big life transition. Time spent getting to know oneself is worth it. Once we are aligned, it is easier for the right people, the right timing, and the right opportunities to meet us.