All day long I had been thinking that I was going to go to a new Salsa class…Larry had mentioned that there was a beginninng class on Wednesdays… However as my day went longer than I planned I was getting ready to settle in when I got a second wind.

I found the class and joined in…New teacher, new people and new place. On Monday night I was just getting comfortable with feeling the rhythm…And on this night, this teacher counted the rhythm in a different way..It made me uncomfortable and then it was time to pair up with a partner..My partner looked like a dancer…The high heels and look and everything else to go with it.

As the teacher was explaining the sequence of the dance, my partner asked a question..” I’m not sure I’m in the right class..Is this the intermediate class?” The instructor replied that she was in the right place. It made me think that I was in the wrong place. Was there a beginning class someplace else in the building?

So here I was slightly on overwhelm… tensed up and feelilng out of place…looking at the clock wondering if I could sneak out. And then we switched partners and my new partner wasn’t much better than me…Whenever the music stopped and the instructor explained the moves of the dance again, I would again look at the clock hoping that the class would end soon…Time wasn’t going fast enough for me..And with each new partner I explained that I was in the wrong class.

I gutted it out and I started getting it. I started to relax and with each new partner my confidence was building. At the end of the class I told the teacher that I usually go to a different studio and wasn’t sure this level was the appropriate level for me. She replied that she thought that I picked it up quickly and should come back.

When I focused on what was immediately in front of me and literally took one step at a time, I started to feel better. And started to relax…

Take one step at a time.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach, inspires others to experience more fulfillment and success in their life. A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. He also publishes, Letters on Life, an inspirational ezine. Contact him for an opportunity to create the life of your dreams. http://www.inspirepossibility.com

A few weeks ago I was really excited about my progress in my Salsa Journey…After class Larry joined my wife Annie and me at the cafe downstairs. He told us about other classes and a whole new world seemed possible.

But the moment was bittersweet because even though I was excited about the potential I knew I couldn’t go next week because of a conflict. During the next week I started to distance myself from my salsa experience. Being out of touch for two weeks created a void in my life and I started to wonder if I could ever reach this potential. And part of me was thinking that it was a waste of time and I would never get it…feel the rhythm. My doubts were building and I was even thinking that I wouldn’t continue beyond the next few classes.

So that was the way it was when I went to class last night. To fuel these doubts, John the teacher wasn’t there. Instead, Mark, the owner of the studio, was giving a lesson to a woman who looked the part of a ball room diva. And she was exquisite…..graceful and beautiful in her style and the way she looked. Watching her dance was inspirational in the sense that it gave me another glimpse of what was possible….something to look forward to.

Two weeks away and watching on the sidelines helped contribute to my anxiety. Within a few minutes John arrived and after a while I was enjoying the class but yet not totally relaxed. As the class progressed I felt more and more comfortable. And near the end I felt like for the first time my body could feel the rhythm…And an ease started to develop…I had a breakthrough for the first time…

And it was fun!!! Yes pure fun…It made me realize the value of allowing fun into my life and to create new ways to have this experience. Getting away from the rest of my life and putting a big smile on my face. My showing up and commitment carried the day. On Wednesday there is another beginning class at a different studio that I am planning on attending.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach, inspires others to experience more fulfillment and success in their life. A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. He also publishes, Letters on Life, an inspirational ezine. Contact him for an opportunity to create the life of your dreams. http://www.inspirepossibility.com

At the gym this morning I ran into my old friend Denny who has been on a similar path as my own…Always looking for meaning and at the same time enjoying the quest. It’s what we like to do.

Many of us at different times in our life have felt despair over finding meaning in our life. Usually this stems around work. Many find themselves in work that satisfies their pocketbook but not their soul. The struggle is balancing the energy it takes to be effective in the world of commerce with having a meaningful life. And since so much energy goes into the job or career there is not much left over. So what can we do and what shifts in attitude can we make that will make it easier for ourself?

Obviously this question can’t be fully addressed in this brief blog but perhaps an insight I have might give you greater clarity. Shift your focus from looking for the answer which in most cases is finding one’s purpose and meaning to enjoying the quest, the exploration of what that purpose is…Your purpose is to be in the question and to align yourself with others who are asking the same questions. When you align yourself with others who are exploring the same question as you, usually you find that you share the same values. And it is our values that give us meaning. Your PURPOSE is to keep asking these questions because that is when you will be fully awake.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach, inspires others to experience more fulfillment and success in their life. A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. He also publishes, Letters on Life, an inspirational ezine. Contact him for an opportunity to create the life of your dreams. http://www.inspirepossibility.com

I realize that there are many things in my life that I can’t control…like people…So while I have expectations and desires I sometimes get disappointed when my expectations aren’t met…And intellectually I know…that it isn’t about me…that everyone has their own life path independent of mine…
And even though intellectually I know this the disappointment still comes up….So the balancing act for most of us is do I let go or instead withdraw? I think that is where the real work is….to develop the ability to let go and to trust that we can learn when our expectations aren’t being met…to stay in the question and not to pout when we don’t get our own way.

That our expectations in the form of hopes and dreams are not going to be met is never going to change…But we can change how we relate to them. And it’s important for us to have them because it gives us hope for the future…And yet at the same time we have to live in the present…So again it’s balancing a vision for our future with living in the moment. And it’s being fully engaged in the moment that increases the likelihood that our hopes and dreams will be met.

So here’s something to think about. In what areas of your life do you experience disappointment? What shifts in attitude can you make that will lessen this disappointment?

Journey ON

Mark

Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach, inspires others to experience more fulfillment and success in their life. A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. He also publishes, Letters on Life, an inspirational ezine. Contact him for an opportunity to create the life of your dreams. http://www.inspirepossibility.com

Salsa tonight and lovin it…but I can’t go because of a family commitment…I’m kind of disappointed..don’t want to lose the momentum from the last class. But last night practiced a little bit at home…Kept the continuity going. Also played some music…It reminded me of how important finding left-right balance is…It takes effort and commitment.

Usually we try to figure it out…but that’s different than feeling it…So with dance it brings me back to the flow.. sensing and feeling what I need to do…Sure I trust my intution in my coaching practice but’s it still a lot of head work..The dance and music brings me back to center….

Take a look at your life…Most of us are expending a lot of energy and time trying to make it. It’s a challenge trying to balance being effective in the world with having a meaningful life. Right now you are on the computer….Are you allowing time for the rest of you …you know the physical part of you. Are you moving? Walking, running or riding a bike…

Hopefully this is a reminder for you to make time for the intuitive- feeling part of you that tends to get neglected. I bet there was something that you use to do that you really enjoyed and haven’t allowed it to be part of your life. Whatever it is what would it be like for you to find a place for it to again be in your life?

JOURNEY ON

MARK

Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach, inspires others to experience more fulfillment and success in their life. A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. He also publishes, Letters on Life, an inspirational ezine. Contact him for an opportunity to create the life of your dreams. http://www.inspirepossibility.com

Learning something new is always a challlenge. That’s the way I felt with learning Salsa. We committed for eight weeks. And then I missed a week in the series and I lost some of the continuity. Because we had committed I was back the next week.

I could feel the difference and I realized the importance of practice. In fact John our teacher commented that it was important to practice during the week. It seemed that this week that just about everyone was new and I wasn’t such a rank beginner.

During the week we bought a tape and practiced a little bit at home. I still felt stiff and tense because I still couldn’t feel or hear the rhythm. Anyway, when we went back, I felt a breakthrough in my ability and my confidence level. We were becoming the senior members of the beginners class. Each week I noticed I was getting better and it was FUN. It was something new that I was gettig excited about. And of course started getting curious about where it could go.

Again I realized the importance of commitment..That keeps you going during the hard times when you start to question whether you are wasting your time. I again was reminded of the importance of practice and patience. I was reminded of the old cliche “Practice makes Perfect.’ It might not make you perfect but it sure makes you a lot better.

JOURNEY ON

Usually I read personal growth books or political thrillers. I haven’t read a book like this in quite some time. It isn’t like I wanted the story to go on. I felt complete in its ending and feel expanded for having the experience. I felt the realness and struggle of the narrator in searching and finding his soul’s longing for redemption. I felt his pain, his sorrows and his pain. A real journey that started in Afghanistan and led to America.

Sometimes it’s that experience of pain that leads you to that next level. It’s listening to your heart..It’s being guided…It’s trusting…It’s forgiving others and most of all yourself. Sometimes we can’t make sense of it but just have to accept it. And that’s the way I felt. Many questions and experiences. Perhaps the most profound message was how important it is to forgive yourself. And that longing for redemption that you are seeking leads you to your higher truth. So that’s how I felt last night when I finished the Kite Runner. I feel expanded for having the experience and ready for more.

Journey On

Mark

Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach, inspires others to experience more fulfillment and success in their life. A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. He also publishes, Letters on Life, an inspirational ezine. Contact him for an opportunity to create the life of your dreams. http://www.inspirepossibility.com

Sometimes I feel like there are two of me…the Me the person who is doing…physically involved and the Me who is analyzing…thinking about what I am doing and what it means. And quite often the latter me the one who is thinking, observing and analyzing has the louder voice…I wonder why that is. Can’t I just turn it off sometimes… that judging mind..It is good to be observant and to be conscious of your thoughts but not be stuck in your head.

I am listening to Whisperings right now…a collection of solo piano works on ITunes. My mind feels soothed by this music. Peaceful and more at one with the moment. Do you have a strategy to turn off that active mind? Here is mine.

If it’s too active I stop drinking caffeine…that makes a huge difference. Meditation does wonders…especially on a regular basis. When you meditate on a regular basis you are letting your mind know who is in charge. I often have reasons not to meditate …like I’m too tired or I can do it later…or it isn ‘t really making a difference. Whenever you listen to that voice you are listening to the analyzing…judging voice who is constantly evaluating everything you do.

Think of your commitment to a meditation practiice as nonnegotiable!!! I have made this commitment for over thirty years and it has made an extraordinary difference.

Journey On

Mark

Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach, inspires others to experience more fulfillment and success in their life. A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. He also publishes, Letters on Life, an inspirational ezine. Contact him for an opportunity to create the life of your dreams. http://www.inspirepossibility.com

Today I was thinking about conflict and the many emotions associated with it. First there is the disagreement. Your view is not in alignment with the other persons. You don’t like it. Your body tightens and your breathing becomes shallow. Then there is the venting phase which involves making the other person wrong. You feel hurt and have a need to be vindicated. In your mind you make the other person wrong a thousand times and gather support for your viewpoint. You process it with other people until finally they don’t want to hear it anymore. And then there is the avoidance of the situation in which you stop mentioning it. Then you learn to sort it out. You become quiet and let it go. You then learn to become detached from the outcome. And as you become quieter, the conflict goes away.

Today I felt at peace with a current business conflict I was having. As I found the peace within myself, the conflict didn’t bother me any more. And then I ran into an old friend who I hadn’t seen in many years. I no longer was carrying the baggage of the prior conflict. I could be totally in the present and maintained my inner peace and enjoyed the day.

Journey On

Mark

Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach, inspires others to experience more fulfillment and success in their life. A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. He also publishes, Letters on Life, an inspirational ezine. Contact him for an opportunity to create the life of your dreams. http://www.inspirepossibility.com