It’s Friday night at Mastery. Do you remember being excited, a little nervous (or a lot nervous), maybe a little compressed or crunchy –you know stiff, trying not to be noticed, unsure, and insecure? That space where you are both afraid of things changing in your life, and excited, in the same moment. That space is the juice of a person who is on a path of growth.
If life is always safe, no risk, no fearful moments, (the “Holy Shit What I am doing here” moments), then we are dying. Everything that is alive, in every moment, is either growing or dying –there is no standing still.
It is the people who show up at Mastery, as each of us did, in all their stuff, all their fears around change and the unknown, that I admire most. Each of us has a choice to stay in our familiar zone (which often is not comfortable), OR to venture into the unknown, with the hope that there is something wonderful for us along the way.
So what are you doing to stretch yourself? How about a Firewalk (Sept 20th-see notice), or that difficult conversation you have been putting off, or just showing up for your Mastery groups meeting.
Each of us can continue to push the envelope, to feel the fear and the excitement of a new experience, and to IMPRESS ourselves with our willingness to risk. It is through that risk that we truly build a sense of self-worth. And a higher value for ourselves creates magic in our lives. It allows us to step out even farther next time opportunity knocks (just say yes is my motto), so we grow even more. It allows us to be a role model, a beacon, to others who may become curious enough about what has changed us, to start their own journey. And I believe as we grow we become more tolerant, less judgmental of others.
Every person I meet no matter how stuck, or how crunchy they are in their lives, is just another soul sitting in their Friday night. Maybe they are waiting for you to show up as an example of what could be, in their lives. So shine your self-worth, your high opinion of yourself, your willingness to take on what is difficult to get to the goodies on the other side. Just maybe you will inspire another soul to start a journey that will move them out of their Friday night towards the radiant beauty of their lives that is Sunday night at the Mastery.
Next time you meet someone that pushes your buttons, that brings up a negative judgement, REMEMBER –that is probably how you showed up on Friday night of Mastery. In 2 and a half days they could have the same glow and joy and smiling face that you had on Sunday night.
21/2 days to change a soul. So go ahead and judge (you will anyway), AND have the compassion to see them at their Sunday night, even if they can’t.
Oh Yeah, and give them a Mastery brochure!!!!
- James Downie
