Maybe motivation isn’t what we think it is?!

Mindfulness Talk

When we succeed, we are proud of our inner motivation.  High-five that inner strength!   But when we fail, we feel like our inner motivation failed.  And if something deep inside us can fail, does that mean we are a failure?

Maybe motivation is isn’t what we think it is.

Feeling motivated is amazing.  It’s full of energy and smiles.  But real life is ups and downs, ebbs and flows, yin and yang.  Which means that feeling unmotivated is not a personal failing, it’s a normal person feeling.  And it also means that feelings alone can’t be relied upon to get us on the mat or on the trail. So if motivation isn’t a feeling, than what is it? 

Perhaps we should look at motivation not as a feeling, but as driving towards a goal?  But if a goal is what is needed to get us onto the mat or onto the trail, then we are forever bound to looking forward.  Every hiker knows what happens when we are looking forward and not right in front of us!  What is going to help us when those inevitable, real-life stumbles happen in the present moment?  Goals alone can’t be relied upon to help us show up.

So what is motivation then?

Eastern cultures have something called Sadhana, or “practicing our promise”.  Sadhana asks that you make a promise to yourself to show up, and then you practice keeping that promise.  If your are low energy, you practice showing up (maybe choosing a shorter trail or a slower yoga class).  If you are struggling, you practice keeping that promise (maybe using hiking poles or yoga blocks). 

Most importantly, if you don’t show up, it doesn’t mean that something deep inside of you failed.  It means you missed out on an opportunity to practice your promise. You might feel a little guilt, but that’s ok. A little bit of guilt is exactly what we need our emotions to do for us if we break a promise - to ourselves or anyone else. But feeling a bit of situational guilt is a lot different than feeling like something deep inside of us failed.

Double clicking that fresh, new motivation idea is easy and fun.  Practicing your promise day in and day out… not super sexy.  But it is Real.  And as I go through the ups and downs of life, Real sounds pretty good to me.

Meditation

Finding Present Meditation

Close your eyes (or let your eyes get soft and daydreamy) and breath. As you inhale and exhale, begin to imagine a cooling, healing light in the center of you. This cooling, healing light is the knowledge - the truth - that you do not lack motivation deep inside of you. Deep inside of you ebbs and flows the ups and downs of being a Real human. Let the cool, healing light ebb and flow in the center of you.

When you are ready, open your eyes and end here.  Or, begin the mindfulness meditation.

Mindfulness Meditation:

As you inhale and exhale, begin to imagine that cooling, healing light beginning to spread to your stomach. Imagine it cooling and healing. Don’t be surprised if a thought or memory or emotion arises. Just notice it, acknowledge it, and then let the cool, healing light sooth it.

When you are ready, let the cool, healing light spread to your heart and chest. Don’t be surprised if a thought or memory or emotion arises. Just notice it, acknowledge it, and then let the cool, healing light sooth it.

Now let the cool, healing light spread down to your pelvis and down your legs to your feet. Don’t be surprised if a thought or memory or emotion arises. Just notice it, acknowledge it, and then let the cool, healing light sooth it.

When you are ready, let the cool, healing light spread up to your neck and head. Don’t be surprised if a thought or memory or emotion arises. Just notice it, acknowledge it, and then let the cool, healing light sooth it.

Slowly let the cooling light travel to your throat. Imagine your whole body cooled and healed. But the light itself is now only shining cool and bright in your throat, the center of your promises. Let the cool, healing light bless your promises.

‍ Closing Routine:

When you are ready, rub fingers together and take three cleansing breaths. Or use any closing routine that works for you.  ‍

‍ ‍