Designing The Next Level

May was a rough month. I felt stuck in many areas of my life. I wasn’t (yet) depressed and I damn sure wasn’t giving up, but I was beyond ready for the next level.

There were (and still are) millions of things that I cannot control, but there are a good number of things that I can. That’s what I focused on. And that’s what rescued me from drowning in the pool of ugh. I concentrated on fundamentals such as how I treated my body. I began eating breakfast and organic produce, making smoothies, drinking more water, and incorporating new exercises into my routine.

I added some dance cardio, more yoga, plenty of stretching, and a walking session after each run. With my Nike running app, I finally made it to the orange level. The feeling was phenomenal! That was my moment! Writing gives you a very similar experience.

While showering, I had a vision of what the next level looked like. It lasted for all of three seconds. Got out the shower and headed to the closet to meditate. Yeah, I wanted the stillness, but I wanted the rest of that vision more than anything. I didn’t get that, but I did get this:

The kids are watching.

In the same manner that I watched my parents during their ups and their downs. I knew when they were happy as a couple. I knew when they had a little money in the bank. I knew when they had a bad day at work. I knew when they didn’t feel like being bothered. I was very studious and was blessed to have children that are twice as keen. I don’t want to pass down the habit of allowing life to control my emotions. I noticed too how important it is to be honest with him. CJ is eight and Kobe is four, but they both value honesty and can smell bullshit from three miles back.

Don’t be afraid to try something new.

I made a smoothie with spinach, avocado, peanut butter, bananas, strawberries, almond milk, and chia seeds. Three months ago, I would’ve politely declined. But I tried it, loved it, and knew exactly how each ingredient was serving my body. I also tried a different style of meditation. I tried a new strategy with my business. The way that I was trying to teach Kobe how to read wasn’t working, so I tried a new method and it worked.

Sometimes it won’t make sense until you do it. 

That means you have to have the courage to do it–should the situation call for it. In my case, it didn’t take courage. It was knowing that I had nothing to lose. It was based on curiosity and just needed to see what would happen. One example was the suggestion of my business consultant to hire some writers/editors to help out with the workload, giving me more time to focus on my passions. Initially, it made no sense; I couldn’t afford to pay anyone else. I went for it anyway and all kinda light bulbs started showing up.

Take full responsibility for the experience you’re having.

A few months ago, I took a Radical Self-Expression course online. In it, there’s a workbook that will guide you in creating your own manifesto. During my meditation session, I was nudged back to it. I tweaked it a bit and got it right where I want it to be. It reads:

I take full responsibility for the experience that I am having. With that responsibility comes the need to embrace new knowings and to release fear-based becauses. Today I command all the resources in my power–known and unknown, old and new, brewing and fully birthed–to surround me, to envelope me, and to guide me to the experience that I now choose to have. In this new and permanent experience, my life consistently involves more meaningfulness. I spend my days in gratitude for authentic joy and optimal support. I recognize myself as Co-Creator of my reality, and as such, I take advantage of the fact that intuitive based decisions can’t go wrong. This journey of giving voice to my feelings is constantly working in my favor to move me more and more fully into my Me-ness. And I practice being present so that I may feel every moment and remember my role as Co-Creator. All of this, I understand and accept today. 

I know what the next level looks like. I know how it feels. Today I claimed it. I’m in it. It’s my reality. So I can now work on designing the next level. What’s yours looking like? A book? If so, let me know how I can help.