Calling Myself to WHICH Home? : The Irony Of Personal Development

​I’m a busy bee these days, getting everything ready for the imminent launch of my memoir, Calling Myself Home: Living Simply, Following Your Heart, and What Happens When You Jump, and associated courses and gifts.
 
This has been a long time in coming, perhaps my whole life, to arrive at this juncture of readiness and knowing. It is time to share with the world what I have learned and gained living in a traditional mountain village in Mexico these past thirteen years.

Click image to download excerpt

Fundamentally, I feel humble and strong. I also recognize this as a time of young elderhood. Yikes, am I there, already? What I’ve lived and experienced up to this point–that is my story? That is my life? This is it? 
 
But then there is the nitty gritty, the brass tacks of actually making it happen.

If we were living in future times when there was no longer internet, my decisions would be completely different: I’d be growing food and interacting much more with the local community and elements. 
 
I wouldn’t be sitting at my computer writing this! I’d be living the simple, natural way that I sought and found upon arriving here in 2006.
 
I was given my life here in the village. Soul CPR. Besides the miraculous evidence that I am not alone, that there is/are conscious entities that know, accompany, hear and love me–I have the privilege and duty now, to share what I’ve learned living simply, following my heart and what happened when I jumped. 
 
The Irony Begins Here

Seven years ago I began to feel a new calling, the next chapter. Separate from the wellness coaching which I did long-distance, I kept envisioning a place where I would hold my creativity workshops, and authentic Indian cuisine courses. I am in that place now. 
 
It is very different from the seven years of simple living situations out in the country. That is where my learning and transformation happened.

---

Me sitting in the window–literally–of my "indoor-outdoor" house

Now, I’m up in the village, close to the hub: the church dedicated to Mary Magdalene – built on top of an ancient pyramid. A sacred and powerful place where there is still Aztec dancing on the village’s “high holidays”: the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and the day of Mary Magdalene.
 
It is louder up in town. The churchbells are near, as is the loudspeaker through which announcements are broadcast. I used to see more cows, horses and dogs than people. Now I more people than animals.
 
The main difference, is that I live in a large, beautiful, finished, house. It is perfect for classes: people can find and get here with relative ease. I love the comfort and convenience of my home. 
 
But here’s the funny thing: I’m making videos for my future students, readers and retreat participants. Sometimes I film from inside my house. I feel a little uncomfortable that here I am talking about living simply from my luxurious home. Will people see me as a hypocrite? Some might.

Click image to listen to story told from the house in town

Like what you're reading? Share this to Pinterest

And that is irony number one: in order to reach and serve those who would benefit from my in-person courses, I need a place, space, convenience, and tools (furniture, equipped kitchen). So I am not physically living in the rustic conditions of the past. Yet I teach from there.
 
Irony number two is about being so busy–working so hard to get this new enterprise up and running–that I sometimes don’t take care of other aspects of my life. This is not only not okay for my well-being, it is counter to what I’m dedicated to helping others do. 
 
I can only be helpful when I’m living what I’m teaching. When I’m coming from where we’re going to. When I am a a sturdy, nourished tree instead of a wilted, depleted one.
​ 
I can do it for awhile, sometimes life asks for that. But long term, I have to back up from my workaholism and perfectionism and put me first. Just like the flight attendants say before flights: “Should the cabin lose pressure, oxygen masks will drop from the overhead area. Please place the mask over your own mouth and nose before assisting others.”
 
Adjusting my approach to work and accomplishing my mission requires trust that I can get things done, "even though." An openness to the Mystery. My mind wants to maintain authority over it’s endless to-do list. It fears if I don't get everything done, and perfectly, that I will be a failure of a person. I am stepping up to the old boss now and letting it know, “I’m the new CEO of this business, and we’ll be doing things differently now. You are important and we’ll still be implementing your attention to detail and integrity. But now, built into the schedule are my spiritual practices, exercise, time with nature and friends, eating regular meals, relaxation, play, fun and rest.”
 
So, now it's my turn to coach myself as I coach others. This is necessary and my growing edge. And I know it will make me a better coach, and a happier, healthier person.
 
How have you found challenges and irony in times of growth and manifestation? How have you handled it? What worked? What might work better? If you could receive the most helpful, made-to-order encouraging, modeling and inspiration, what would it be? 

​Calling Myself Home is written for you, for that.
​Find out how to get the book and receive a free excerpt here.
 
We’re in this together, one for all and all for one.
 
Warmly,

---