I have a sign that is in full vision to the right of my computer screen.  I bought it years ago in Hawaii.

It reads, “A Beginner’s Mind = Open Mind”

When I begin any of my work with students whether in a group or one on one, I ask them to act as if, they are beginner’s because our hearts and heads tend to be more open to new information without the weight of ” a know it all mentality”.

Even when we are learning practices we may have learned many times before, it is best to start with an open mind and open heart. Having a beginners mind does not discount what you already know, (it takes nothing away), it just adds to a deeper learning without arrogance and impatience.

Resistance

Resistance is the opposite of flow and flow = freedom.

When we resist, we are blocking self love and self care. Resistance also keeps away our ability to receive.

I know that anytime I show up for something minus gobs of resistance, I will always learn something new about myself. This is true for me no matter what I am doing. Anything from trying a new meal plan, to going to a workshop, to starting a yoga practice. I wish I could say that the resistance voice was gone for good. It is not. The gift is that I now have tools to be with it, honor it, accept it rather than deny it. I can be with the resistance and “do it anyway”!

• What about you? What does beginners mind mean to you?

• How do you think it would serve you to let go of resistance to learning something you may already know with an open mind?

• How do you think that would serve you more around your body?

Please take a few minutes to answer these questions on paper and notice what shows up.

I can tell you that resisting my work or any other work that will free you from negative body image is most likely not serving your being happy, joyous and free. And whenever we are in resistance to something chances are we need to go into that resistance, accept it  and find out what is really there. Perhaps it is something we do not want to feel. And what we do not feel, we cannot heal.

An Invitation

I invite you to step into your feelings a moment at a time. When I feel resistance to something coming on, I visualize myself taking one Pinky step. One small step, like the kitten is taking on the piano. And from that place, miracles show up all over the place. And I welcome miracles every day.

Aren’t you ready to be committed to your health and well being too?

]]> http://onepinky.com/abeginnersmindopenmind/feed/ 0 http://onepinky.com/biggirlcrysandalohaisheretostay/ http://onepinky.com/biggirlcrysandalohaisheretostay/#comments Sat, 03 Oct 2009 03:15:50 +0000 Laura Fenamore http://onepinky.com/?p=1158 Continue reading →]]> Leah Honey,

HOW WAS THE MOVIE?

Did you go see it? I hope you loved it. Tell Mum hello from me.

And I can picture you and Taylah building your sand castle, all the details of that….seems relaxing and rewarding and a in the moment activity. You know?  Was it fun for you?

Don’t you love what Julie had to share on her blog in the community?  I saw what you wrote to her, how great. I am so proud of you Julie! (and I hope many more Pinky’s go share in her joy and her photos of her kids who are quite the lookers, those boys are gorgeous! and so is their Mum!) I bet we could fix one up with Taylah. Me being silly who is a little beauty too.

My day was a rollercoaster Leah. This class I am taking, well to say it is bringing up stuff is the understatement of the year. I had a minor meltdown today in class over stuff that I am sure comes natural for you Leah. Numbers and graphs and charts and math….My dear teacher kept saying, “Laura, don’t cry”. I just adore her and she means well and it is not always easy for people to deal with others tears and yet I just needed to cry…

Big girls do cry sometimes…and it is all part of my letting go of my deep inadequacies of not being a math, equation, #’s person. Again, all part of my journey and I am working through it “one pinky step at a time”.

May seem I cry a lot and I think it all in balance. I am not afraid to share about my meltdowns as I am human too.

Rita Hovakimian, someone I adore and look up to sent this message in her email and I wanted to share it with you Leah (and with the world).

I love Hawaii, it is near and dear to my heart….

“Bless everyone and everything that represents what you want!

To bless something means to give recognition or emphasis to a positive quality, characteristic or condition, with the intent that what is recognized or emphasized will increase, endure or come into being. This is one of the tenets of the Aloha philosophy.

The Aloha Philosophy:

1. IKE-The World Is What You Think It Is

2. KALA-There Are No Limits

3. MAKIA- Energy Flows Where Attention Goes

4. MANAWA-Now Is The Moment Of Power

5. ALOHA-To Love Is To Be Happy With

6. MANA-All Power Comes From Within

7. PONO-Effectiveness Is The Measure Of Truth

The Aloha Philosophy immediately reminds me of the Law of Attraction principles.
A law that states that what you focus upon expands……what you appreciate, appreciates! It delights me to see that these principles are universal, yet articulated in their unique way.”

Enjoy the words. Love you a ton.

Learn, Love and Let go,

XO,

Laura