Knowledge and Self Cultivation = Reflection

Knowledge and Self Cultivation is the area that you would want to enhance if you are about to embark on learning or doing something new.  An area which would support any self-growth or self enrichment focus.  It is also the ideal area for cultivating peace.

If you have ever taken a yoga class perhaps you have come across the pose "Tadasana" or Mountain Pose.

Credit:  Living Yoga blog

I would describe the basics of the practise of Tadasana as the action of reaching through your feet into the earth, stabilizing the body; while simultaneously extending your head to the clouds, embodying the essence of a literal mountain.  

Mountains are majestic, they are wise and mysterious.  

If one were to travel up a mountain you would certainly enjoy the vantage point of looking at where you came from and be in a good position to see where you are going.

Knowledge and Self Cultivation is about Self.  What we have learnt in our lives, what we wish to learn and what we have learnt inherently about ourselves through all of our experiences.  

I feel the best representation of this area is Reflection.  I believe that we benefit from seeing where we have been in order to give us perspective on where we are going.  The good times, bad times, easy and hard times.  The whole package.

Reflecting on our lives is not about judging what we didn't do, didn't achieve, or how crap this or that situation was.  Reflection gives us the opportunity to view all those instances and observe what we were taught.  They are the ingredients of who you are in the present.

Each and every experience in your life has had value in creating who you are today.

Reflection is an opportunity to look for the value in those experiences with perspective.  

• Looking back versus going back.

Reflection can be celebratory.

• The "I" did, "I" tried, "I" learned, "I" survived, "I" overcame. Give yourself credit. 

Seeing your past as the base and building of your mountain and going upward and onward to the clouds.

The saying that "hindsight is 20/20" expresses that it is easy to see the value or the lesson of an event after the fact.  What this can also do is provide you an opportunity to see what you are holding onto from your past that may no longer serve you in the present or will serve you in the future.

The potential lies in the viewing the lingering feelings from an observer's standpoint, rather than judgement.  

Ask yourself what it would feel like if you no longer held heavy feelings about someone or something in your past?

How would it feel to move forward into your future without some of the excess emotional weight of the past?  

How would that affect your the stability of your Center or your Core?

I invite you to ponder and feel this, if you so choose let one thing or something go.

You may also like:  The Feng Shui Bagua Map

Reflection: On the Roads Already Travelled

Credit:  Beth Bacaglia's Simply Inspired

I shared this beautiful photo on my Facebook page and commented "I believe that its possible that we may only see the route as scenic, after we have travelled it".  

Have you ever white knuckled your way through a road trip?  I know I have.  

My first driving experience on the, I'll say the other side of the road, was travelling from Edinburgh to St. Andrew's golf course.  

Had to do a selfie before climbing behind the wheel!

The directions I gave my passengers were:

• NO Talking
• NO Squabbling
• NO Breathing too loud
• Definitely NO music
• Pretty much do NOTHING to distract me from the task at hand.

I needed the car to be the most tranquil environment so I could focus specifically on:  

1. Staying in the proper lane,
2. Driving the proper speed limit (meaning not too slow in this instance),
3. Negotiate the skinny roads,
4. Listen to the Sat Nav,
5. Most importantly listen to the constant mental chatter of "You can do this"!

I can tell you that the scenery was unique, from the little glances I stole and eventually I was able to converse and at one point laugh.  

Was I able to appreciate the scenic route I was on, literally.  I'd say no.

Once I finally got the car parked and was no longer behind the wheel could I appreciate it? I'd say...umm yes, and perhaps after my wine with dinner the yes had more oomph.

The literal task of driving was not the issue, it was seeing the road from a different vantage point and NOT thinking it was wrong, it was simply different.  

Credit:  Gratitude n all

Driving on the left vs the right side of the road is exactly the same, however when all of your driving has been from the left side of the vehicle on the right side of the road, making that switch is mind bending.  And for anyone who has made the switch, even temporarily you may concur that you can almost feel the new tracks in your brain being paved.

Having now driven for the past year in Australia, I can appreciate the process even more.  I celebrated when I could comfortably drive with the radio on, began to multi task by yelling at the kids or be able to take a drink of coffee in transit.

Does it feel normal? Kinda, well it feels "less new".

The journey over the past year, driving included, has been scenic in more ways than one. Whether I was able to appreciate that fact in the moment or only when looking back. 

I believe there is always something interesting to appreciate, see and learn through observation and reflection.