My boyfriend recently asked me what I wanted for my birthday — and I really had to think . . .
I honestly didn’t feel that “tug” of desire for any 1 thing. Nothing at all (which to me is a pretty darn great sign.)
It’s a sign that I’m full-up. That my life is as good as it gets NOW, with no awareness of want, lack, need or emptiness.
Sweet.
So, being that it’s my birthday week where the standard fair is gift-giving, I thought I’d give YOU something instead.
So here are 3 birthday wishes… from me, to you:
1. I WISH… you would stop striving to be “better”.
You heard me.
While I get the sentiment, and understand where it’s coming from, wanting to be better than you are today is actually doing nothing except hold you back.
To say that you want to be “better” is subtly (or not-so-subtly) saying that what you’ve got, and who you are, ain’t so hot.
It subconsciously saying: “Who I am isn’t enough. And something “out there” will make me feel/look/act/be better than I am today.”
Fact is, if you think ANYTHING outside of yourself will do that, you’re screwed.
The skill is to BE what you want: NOW — magnetizing the details to you like a bee to honey.
Never lean forward, reach out, or grab for the gold. Instead BE the gold. BE the light. BE the abundance. And BE your fierce fabulousness: NOW.
2. I WISH… you would stop overlooking what’s right before your eyes.
I can almost guarantee with 100% certainty that there are magical delights and wonders-beyond-wonders greeting you at every turn … and you’re missing out on most all of them.
Trust me: getting good at focusing, fixating and fantasizing about the glorious details of your very own life will make you feel like you’ve won the lottery (without even buying a ticket).
Look around at the bounty in front of you: The smell of the air. The sounds of the city. The taste of your food and the touch of a hand. From the smallest of atoms to the massive moon in the sky — it all deserves your wonderful and mystery and awe.
Practice makes perfect: The better you get at noticing the sweet small stuff, the more you throw your energetic arms wide open and say “YES!” to your own life. And that, my dear, is a very very good place to be.
3. I WISH… you’d stop focusing on what you DON’T want.
I know how hard it is to keep your eyes off of life’s (seeming) annoyances and uber-frustrations. But you’ve got to if you want to step into your unstoppability.
• If you want more money, you have to stop fixating on your debt.
• If you want to be thinner, you have to stop focusing on your fat.
• If you want a healthy body, you have to stop dwelling on your dis-ease.
• If you want to be happy, you have to stop noting what makes you stressed.
Sounds easy — or perhaps counter-intuitive? — but trust me: IT’S NOT.
Whenever you feel anything less than your best, simply pivot your focus to something other than your woes. Yes, I’m giving you full permission to distract yourself in whatever ways necessary.
Pet the dog, watch a movie, go for a walk, or read a great book. Do anything at all — just stop fixating on your troubles.
While I know it’s not easy, it’s crucial. And I promise: you’ll get better with time.
So may your heart receive these 3 wishes. May you give thanks for all that you have. And may you stay focused on that which delights you most.
Your unstoppable-self awaits . . . And I think I speak for everyone when I say: “We can’t wait to meet her!”
© 2011 Stephanie McWilliams LLC
