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You know those moments when something that has been rolling around in your head for months, maybe years, crystallizes and comes popping out of your mouth? Almost before you know what you’re saying? I think the technical term might be “aha moment.” (And you know, coaches love technical terms. 🙂

I had one such moment the other day, talking with my partner. What came out of my mouth was “if I could ask God one question today, it would be – how do we know when to push and when to receive? When to be disciplined and All-American go-for-it, and when do we just  let life unfold ?”

Partly I was surprised because I don’t believe in God as an entity you can interview like Barbara WaWa, glass of iced tea on the side table and mic carefully hidden under lapel. But my lovely partner reminded me that God does often answer questions if you’re looking in the right place for answers.

I know that entire ancient philosophies have been dedicated to this question. In fact, now that I think of it, the Yin Yang symbol is probably supposed to represent the balance between these two ways of being. In my own humble life, I find myself constantly wrestling with this question: should I push myself to rewrite my website now, today, or should I instead walk my dog, fold the laundry, call that friend back? What’s the right thing? And how much will my inner critic punish me later if I don’t choose “correctly?”

Later that evening I was reading Laura Fortgang’s new book Prosperity Plan, and a quote jumped out at me that, I think, was God answering in her own indirect way.

“Always leave enough time in your life to do something that makes you happy, satisfied, even joyous. That has more of an effect on economic well-being than any other single factor.” – Paul Hawken

When I’m taking Paul’s brilliant advice, there is almost always a clear answer to that big hairy question ready and waiting like a scroll from one of those old-fashioned fortune-telling machines. It comes from somewhere between my diaphragm and my collarbone, and always seems to have the just-right idea for right now. And when I listen to this voice, somehow everything gets done and everything is just fine and there was no need to worry.

I think God wants me to listen to this voice more often, and to hear it, I need to enjoy myself more often.

So, today I spent 2 hours in the garden clearing out dead stuff and noticing little green shoots and weeding. And I’m writing to you, and I had biscuits for breakfast after jumping rope at booty camp. And life is good. And my to-do list is shrinking.

Does this ring true for you? How would you answer this big question? Love to hear from you!

Barbara
January 27, 2011 at 1:40 pm  - Reply

I do believe in “God” things – this article is one of them. I’m on a kick about listening to my favorite oldies – my current favorite is “What if God was one of us”. Yesterday we did a 2 hour staff meeting about self care – Social workers are not especially good at that. Do as I say – not as I do! Here are some of my favorite quotes we used yesterday.

About Henry Thoreau- “torn by two powerful and opposing drives-the desire to enjoy the world, and the urge to set the world straight.”
~E. B. White

“When in doubt, take a bath.”
~ Mae West

Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive. And go do that. Because the world needs people who’ve come alive.
~Howard Thurman, American theologian and civil rights leader

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  Jill
  January 28, 2011 at 10:52 am  - Reply

  Sounds like there’s some synchronicity afoot Barbara! Want to hear more about how your staff meeting went – how you approached the self-care topic and what impact it had with your hard-working staff.

  Love the quotes!!! Really beautiful, and they all fit together so nicely. Like a 3-course meal, with Mae West as dessert.

Kathleen
January 28, 2011 at 12:55 am  - Reply

Great post!
My easiest answer when I feel that I need to ask that question comes from the 12-step programs and is basically summed up in the statement “Easy does it…”
IF life is easy it must mean that I am in harmony and flowing with exactly what I am supposed to be doing at that moment. IF I am struggling, then I am usually best to take a step back and see what else I could do or could be doing differently.
Life isn’t meant to be a struggle – if only I could remember that!

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  Jill
  January 28, 2011 at 10:48 am  - Reply

  Thanks Kathleen. That’s a great and easy reminder – that the universe itself lets us know when we’re out of alignment with ease and peace. It is indeed a radical notion that life is not meant to be a struggle – I have trouble remembering that too, but these kinds of conversations help it “stick” better!

Simon Allard
February 3, 2011 at 1:05 am  - Reply

Great post, Jill… and cool quote from Paul Hawkin. I had to share both on my Facebook profile!
What you’re describing in your post brings up for me the theme of TRUST. I know that I am at my best when I remember to trust that things happen FOR me rather than TO me. When I’m in that trusting place I know that I can ask ANY question and the answer will come in one form or another. Many blessings!