Welcome to Practice week.
PRACTICE – to perform or do repeatedly in order to acquire skill or proficiency.
We all know that we need to practice if we want to become skilled at something. It is obvious that to play an instrument, to excel in a sport, to learn a language or to become a gourmet cook all require practice. But what is your relationship with practice? Is it something you relish or some thing you do only because you “need to” for the result you are seeking?
What if practice were a threshold of something beyond skill?
Threshhold
by January Handl
I stand in the
in- between,
motionless
quiet
still
The past at my back
noisily
reminding me
of my long journey
through dim mistakes
and patterned mishaps
plus golden edged moments
of rapturous knowing
The future at my front
snakes out
into a fogged mist
that hides possible
twists and turns
that seemingly
contain day- dreams of
ease and rest, and fear induced
shadows of unknown pain
Love tries to keep me perched
in the now
of this person,
this place,
this experience,
this choice.
greatness in gratitude
flows from my feet
to the crown of my
of my royal little self,
senses waking as I
tip back and forth
trying once again
to find center’s flow
in the circle
of no time
where my peaceful
big self
resides in wonder
So often practice becomes about something in the future. We do it to get to the next level. We do because we have to for our skills to grow. This motivation to improve gets us in the game but what if practice could be even more. What if practice was it’s own reward? What if the in between of proficiency is where we find our most fulfilled self?
This week’s bliss initiative is to play in the soul stirring bedrock of practice. To play, not only for skill but also for the wonder waking in your spirit.
How and what will you practice?
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tamara and January are here each Monday to help set the mood for the week!
Tamara Magnitsky
My mission is fulfilling a lifelong desire to be a creative professional making a positive difference in the lives of those I encounter. Photographing unique personalities in a fun and relaxed environment. To challenge myself creatively, listen deeply and take a damn good picture.
See Tamara’s photography on her Facebook Page.
January Handl
January Handl is first and always a mother, has been a preschool teacher and parent educator for 25 years. She is currently lives in Aptos California AND simply in awe of existence.
She calls her photo “hot tub bliss” 🙂
Hi Tamara and January!
So true – practice is always about the future and where is the fun in that!? (This reminds me of a joke about a fellow who stopped someone on the street in New York and asks “How do I get to Carnegie Hall?” The fellow replies, “Practice, practice, practice!”
What does it take for us to remember that most of “it” IS the practice and so little is the performance. Thanks for this reminder!
Lori
Lori, thank you for stopping by!
I remember that joke! So glad you liked our reminder!
Now I have a question… what do you like to practice?
Kathy
Ah – I LOVE this idea! Thank you for so eloquently examining it.
Thank you Lisa!
What will you practice?
Hi Kathy!
Love that poem. Practice is something we have the mindset to think it is for the future. But when we have the mindset that practice is being in the moment, it is savored and we are more focused. We understand it is part of our becoming. That is what inspires me to keep on practicing.
Thanks!
-Donna
What a lovely message, and a great way to say life is all about the journey. Lovely blog!
Thank you Marquita!
Thanks all, for me, that is the practice of my life: returning to the present moment, over and over again.
So appreciate hearing everyone’s journey!
Hi Kathy,
what a great way to look at practice!
So, if we could get into the feeling of anticipation of what that threshold may reveal as well as enjoying the process of the here and now . . . . .
I enjoyed the poem!
Thank you for the food for thought!
Love and Light,
Yorinda
Kathy, Too many people these days want a “quick fix”, the word practice puts them off. Please to see your post and the overview of what practice is really all about. Keep it up!
This sounds a lot like, “Enjoy your journey!” I am going to practise something I’ve gotten away from… writing each day from my heart about the things that are happening in my life, and how they affect me or others in my circle. It used to be easy for me, and then things happened and I woke up one day to find my heart was closed and I wasn’t able to share. The more I do it, the easier it will become, just as it used to be. Because, after all, writing is my passion! Thank you for the reminder…
Willena
Kathy,
I’ve found that those who enjoy the “process” of internet marketing are always more successful than those who see it merely as the acquisition of skillsets necessary to reach a goal.
I love the process, myself, and that’s what keeps me always exploring new things and learning different methods of application. It’s not just to reach a goal, or attain “success”, or anything else.