Inspired Possibility
  • Home
  • About
    • Testimonials
    • Privacy Policy
  • Work with Me
    • Coming Home to Yourself Coaching
    • Serenity Now Retreats
  • Events
    • Come Home to Yourself Retreat
  • The Book!
    • Book Testimonials
  • Blog
    • Subscribe
  • Resources
  • Contact

Less is More

11/9/2021

0 Comments

 
PicturePhoto Credit Renee Veniskey
Less is more... I know it's true and I feel the relief when I can actually let this idea guide me.  And yet, I'm finding that after decades of efforting (and probably over-efforting many, many times), even when I don't think I'm doing or thinking or trying too much, I am.  It really takes a lot for me to let down, to do less, to try less hard…  
 
How have I been reminded?  My body is showing me.  It's coming through in chronic holding patterns in certain muscles that clench and grip all the time, even when they don't need to.  It's coming through in tiredness from days that are booked too fully or that I simply fill with too many things and too many hours.  It's coming through in carrying an excessive number of books and notebooks with me for short trips, thinking I'll get to way more than I do (and more than I even want to).  It's reflected in mental fatigue when I think I can do too many things, accomplish too many tasks, finish too many projects in too little time!  It lives in unrealistic expectations imposed upon myself that I would NEVER hold for another human being.  
 
How might this idea that “less is more” be supportive and nourishing if it could truly be embodied and brought to life? 
  • Well, for one, it would open up more space and time on the calendar, allowing for more breathing room, less stress, and more time to pause and relax.
  • It would come through in a body that feels less tight, less over-worked, less over-stressed, more rested, more open, more expansive.
  • It would be reflected in less clutter and more open space, fewer clothes overflowing closets and drawers, fewer books taking up every inch of shelf space and beyond (which would also lead to more breathing room and spaciousness).
  • Overall there would be a sense of trying less hard - less tension and effort in yoga and Tai Chi, and even in meditation.  There would be a remembering there's no need or way to be perfect (especially with something that's new!). 
  • It would come through in a more relaxed way of being in the world… letting go of any need to impress anyone or prove anything.  Letting go of being the doer-of-all-things and the taker-carer-of-all-people.
  • There would be a sense of sweet simplicity, taking things one moment at a time - not multi-tasking, double-booking, or over-committing.  This is a great time to year to be conscious about that!
  • There would be fewer programs paid for and never completed or feeling woefully behind in - pausing and discerning before following “bright shiny objects” everywhere would keep you cued in to what is really doable and what would truly be beneficial at this time in your life, given your current reality.
  • You'd find yourself not packing things too full - programs, PowerPoints, retreats, vacations, days… life! 
  • Life would move at a sustainable pace and in a sustainable way.  You could lower the bar on yourself - lessen unreasonable expectations. 
  • You'd experience more lightness, ease, and joy, I believe!  As there is less stress, angst, anxiety and worry, there's room for more openness, acceptance, wonder, and support. 

What does it require?
  • Mindful awareness
  • Discernment
  • A willingness to resist temptation, the ability to say “no” and to be realistic
  • Pause (that pause… it's always so, so valuable)
  • Honesty, particularly with yourself
  • Gentleness and self-compassion

Of course, I offer all of this hypothetically speaking! I have only a vague idea what it really means to live from a “less is more” place, but I can certainly imagine the possibilities!  I am willing to try it out more often!  
 
Your invitation… 
Take a few minutes to consider if “less is more” is something you'd like to experiment with in your life.  Would it benefit you in any way?  How and where might you begin to play with this idea, lightly, gently, and kindly?  (no harsh taskmaster in a “less is more” world!).  
 
Is there anything you need to give yourself permission for?  A promise you want to make to yourself?  
 
Play with these prompts, if you like:
I'd like less___________and more ___________
I will create less ________  and make room for more ______________
If less is more, what's possible? 
Where would I like to begin? 
 
This week's meditation, “Less is More," invites you to apply it to your practice - trying less hard, expecting less of yourself and of your practice.  
 

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Subscribe

    About me...

    I am a writer, coach, and teacher, and I love capturing life's many moments through writing, whether that be journalling, blogging, poetry, or essay.  I have always found the written word as a natural way for me to express what lies within.  

    This is the space where we get real.  I will write about my life experiences and things that I find my clients encounter in their daily lives.   

    What's real for you? What would you like me to write about?  Feel free to share with me topics you would like to see discussed and please join in the dialogue through the comment section. Your engagement makes the blog a much richer place to hang out!

    Thank you for joining me on this journey!!    

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    May 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014

    Categories

    All
    Addiction
    #AtoZ Challenge
    Balance
    Biopsy
    Cancer
    Career
    Challenge
    Change
    Choice
    Comfort Zone
    Commitment
    Compassion
    Connection
    Coronoavirus
    COVID 19
    COVID-19
    Discernment
    Discomfort
    Disconnect
    Dreams
    Election
    Empathy
    Empowerment
    Extraordinary
    Family Recovery
    Freedom
    Grace
    Gratitude
    Grief
    Health
    Holidays
    Hope
    Inner Work
    Inquiry
    Inspiration
    Intention
    Intuition
    Joy
    Kindness
    Letting Go
    Life
    Light
    Logic
    Loving Kindness
    Meditation
    Mental Health
    Mindfulness
    Mom
    National Recovery Month
    New Year
    Overwhelm
    Pause
    Peace
    Perfectionism
    Personal Growth
    Perspective
    Possibility
    Presence
    Procrastination
    Purpose
    Quarantine
    Recovery
    Relationships
    Responsibility
    Rest
    Retreat
    Sadness
    Self Awareness
    Self Care
    Self-care
    Self Compassion
    Self-compassion
    Self Renewal
    Self-renewal
    Slowing Down
    Solstice
    Sport
    Stillness
    Strength
    Substance Use Disorder
    Support
    Thanksgiving
    Time
    Transition
    Wellbeing

    RSS Feed

Barb Klein
Inspired Possibility
585-705-8740
barb@inspiredpossibility.com