A very generous friend bought a river rafting trip for a group of us, four families in total. The trip started in Lotus and the raft would travel down the American River, ending up at Folsom Lake. Most of the rafting ride would be gentle with more rapids in the second half of the trip.
I didn't want to go.
There were lots of reasons for my hesitation. Mainly, my neck has been hurting lately; I did something weird to it and I haven't been able to release the tension, despite copious amounts of Arnica and several massages from friends.
Bumping down the American River sounded like a bad idea.
I felt obligated to say yes.
Bill and the boys were going. My friend had paid for the trip, which was now non-refundable. I had said yes; I was committed.
I talked with my life coach the day before the trip and she asked the question, do you want to go? Yes, I insisted. I want to spend the day with my family and friends. I want to not disappoint my friend who gave this trip to us as a gift. I want to uphold my end of the agreement.
My life coach laughed and asked again: But do you want to go?
I didn't. I was worried about my neck. I was tired after seven long weeks of not sleeping well (worse than usual). We would be camping the night before the river rafting trip and I knew it probably wouldn't be a good night's sleep then either.
By saying no, I was saying yes to me.
Navigating through your life's river means you need to know when to lean into what's coming and when to furiously paddle away from what doesn't look good for you – body, mind, and soul. Knowing the difference requires tuning into your inner voice and listening to what your wise, experienced guide has to say.
Sometimes diving in wholeheartedly - despite discomfort and fear - is what's needed.
Other times, the best course of action is simply to rest.
I had an uncomfortable, but brief, conversation with my generous friend and then said goodbye to my family and friends. While they were off on their rafting trip, I enjoyed a restful day reading my new favorite nonfiction book, A Mind of Your Own by Kelly Brogan, MD (read more details below), treating myself to a healthy lunch, and wandering through the shops in Old Town Auburn before heading back to pick up my damp, slightly sunburned, and happy family.
It was a really good day.
Would you like new ideas on how to know when to dive in and when to rest? Schedule a life coaching session with me by going here. Use coupon code NEW50 for half-off your first coaching session. Hugs, Kathleen
I didn't want to go.
There were lots of reasons for my hesitation. Mainly, my neck has been hurting lately; I did something weird to it and I haven't been able to release the tension, despite copious amounts of Arnica and several massages from friends.
Bumping down the American River sounded like a bad idea.
I felt obligated to say yes.
Bill and the boys were going. My friend had paid for the trip, which was now non-refundable. I had said yes; I was committed.
I talked with my life coach the day before the trip and she asked the question, do you want to go? Yes, I insisted. I want to spend the day with my family and friends. I want to not disappoint my friend who gave this trip to us as a gift. I want to uphold my end of the agreement.
My life coach laughed and asked again: But do you want to go?
I didn't. I was worried about my neck. I was tired after seven long weeks of not sleeping well (worse than usual). We would be camping the night before the river rafting trip and I knew it probably wouldn't be a good night's sleep then either.
By saying no, I was saying yes to me.
Navigating through your life's river means you need to know when to lean into what's coming and when to furiously paddle away from what doesn't look good for you – body, mind, and soul. Knowing the difference requires tuning into your inner voice and listening to what your wise, experienced guide has to say.
Sometimes diving in wholeheartedly - despite discomfort and fear - is what's needed.
Other times, the best course of action is simply to rest.
I had an uncomfortable, but brief, conversation with my generous friend and then said goodbye to my family and friends. While they were off on their rafting trip, I enjoyed a restful day reading my new favorite nonfiction book, A Mind of Your Own by Kelly Brogan, MD (read more details below), treating myself to a healthy lunch, and wandering through the shops in Old Town Auburn before heading back to pick up my damp, slightly sunburned, and happy family.
It was a really good day.
Would you like new ideas on how to know when to dive in and when to rest? Schedule a life coaching session with me by going here. Use coupon code NEW50 for half-off your first coaching session. Hugs, Kathleen
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