A Bliss Full Path

 

With a baker’s dozen of bliss under the belt and a new crop of habits just around the corner, I’ve been mulling over what practices might appear on my list.

Kathy planted the seeds back in Community week and the pondering took off from there. Chel put forward her bliss habits so here’s jumping in with a starter set from my own experiences.

 

 

Observation – If asked to select a single habit to create a blissful life, this is the habit I would choose. We can all too easily find ourselves down the rabbit hole without rope. Observation is the tether that pulls us back and out, separating ourselves from present circumstances. When there is water all around and you feel close to drowning, observation allows you to see if you’re in a dunk tank, a swimming pool or in the middle of the ocean. Observation creates the room to see what really is and decide again. And how do you know if you’re blissful unless you can observe yourself?

 

Reflection – Geek moment (no, don’t leave!!) –  Observation : Objective as Reflection : Subjective. Where observation is a process of separation and looking for what is, reflection is the process of connecting and creating meaning. Meaning is how we know ourselves more deeply as who we really are.

 

Observations, however, without reflection changes nothing. Reflection without observation creates more of the same. A new superhabit would be

Obserflection – The process of seeing what really is and creating new meaning for moving more fully into the bliss of our true selves.

 

Jisness – Tolerance allows you to exist in the same room. Acceptance releases the tension while acknowledging the differences. ‘Just Is’-ness is seeing beyond appearances into the soul of another. Our sameness is sought and our diversity celebrated.

 

Service – We’re connected beings at heart and intuitively ‘get’ how much bringing out the best in another brings out the best in ourselves. We are at our best when we step into the true knowing of what “my life is not my own” really means.

Uncomfortableness – If growth is a habit for a blissful life, then one best be prepared for some uncomfortableness along the way. Sometimes growth slips in quietly through the back door. Other times growth leans in, stretches limits and breaks through boundaries. Not exactly the picture of bliss. But backing away from uncomfortableness brings change to a screeching halt. Being comfortable being uncomfortable becomes a tool to navigate through growth instead of backing away.

 

Relaxation – While Serenity is focused on peace, calm and tranquility, the habit of Relaxation is more focused on kicking back, ramping down and letting loose. Relaxation creates a space in between On and Off. No expectations. No labels. Whatever draws you in.

 

Innocence –  The more we know the less we see. Our worlds become framed by our experiences. Innocence is the opportunity to step back and explore through the eyes of not knowing all over again. The beginning where all possibility exists once more.

 

Responsibility – Responsibility probably sounds more like a wet blanket than a bliss enhancer. But being accountable for your own actions frees others from having to be accountable for you. When another is free a little piece of you is freed too.

 

Excellence – Don’t mistake excellence for perfection. Excellence is putting yourself into your work. Perfection sets a measure for results. Bringing yourself fully to whatever you do means you aren’t holding back. Being you full out is what bliss is all about. Half-hearted anything telegraphs exactly that.

 

Permission – Looking for an offset to guilt, Permission came to mind. In busy worlds full of shoulds, must-dos and ever shrinking time, something has to give. Pangs of guilt often accompany the stress of trying to make everything happen for everyone else and accomplishing close to nothing. Permission creates breathing room to put ourselves first, or at least not last. Airlines instruct us to take oxygen first before others. We can give ourselves Permission to do the same.

 

Receiving – Giving comes so easily at times, especially when propelled by an unstoppable, compelling force from within. Just as powerful is the unconditional, open acceptance of that which is given. No-strings attached. Promising reciprocity creates a bargain and keeps the game going. Receiving makes a welcoming home.

 

 

 

Living Bliss is a jump-in-with-both-feet look at where Life bumps into the everyday – whether at work, play or times in between. Bliss knows no separation in the end. From a deeper dive into the ordinary pops forward the extraordinary life we search for – and has been there waiting for us to be.

 

Not quite a crazy cat lady – yet? – Lorraine’s insatiable curiosity of life leads her to explore, question and push beyond the box. A self-professed “left-brained creative big picture idea” type, she has an intuitive knack for seeing possibility everywhere and in everyone, and is a moth-to-flame for being part of turning possibility into reality. More of Lorraine’s musings can be found on her blog.