July 2014
Welcome --
"The sheep were the easiest thing.
They just naturally herd."
(Jake Gyllenhaal)
Do you herd? or do you lead as you move through your life? Let me explain.
Consider the
shepherd. S/he gathers the flock, keeps them safely together, brings up the stragglers, keeps them healthy. The flock is all. Personal care and time for oneself fall much lower on the list of priorities.
Is this You? -- making sure
everyone's well, accounted for and tended to at your own expense?
Is this working for You? -- if not, it's time to take a different action and begin leading.
I don't mean as in leaving others in your wake. Rather, as in stepping out of the shadows, the coverage and anonymity of the group paradigm -- not taking the easy out of being "too busy" to take care of Your Self.
This need not be a huge, immediate
shift. Taking smaller, consistent steps insures change more rapidly than taking radical measures you're not ready for.
Be the Good Shepherd to and for Your Self:
- Gather your intentions that might've fallen by the wayside.
- Be mindful and honest about what doesn't serve You.
- Make your health, care and time the priorities.
- Keep moving forward.
When you're ready, deepen the practice by really learning how leading vs. herding feels to you:
Stop.
Breathe.
Ask "Am I rushing in to serve
or 'save' others?"
"Am I tending to my Self?"
Take action when you answer that last question with a "Yes".
Keep in mind and heart that often when we herd, we're
"leading a lamb to slaughter".
Make sure the lamb is not You ~
"But far more numerous was the herd of such,
Who think too little and who talk too much."
(John Dryden)
