No, No, Yes (and other life rhythms)

I listen with my body and it is my body that aches in response to the passion and pathos embodied in this music. -Susan Sontag

This quote leads off Chapter 7 in the book, "Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life", by Dacher Keltner. Never has a text so quickly connected to my heart & being, nor gifted me such infinite affirmation.

I see most of my life in color and rhythm. In awe, so-to-speak.

In the facts of color, it is far too common to lose my way off to the side of the road to view the gold, pink, blue and purples of a sunrise or a sunset to then note how that same vibrance ascends and descends throughout my day.

It is even more common for me to drift outside beyond midnight to feel the intensity at which the moon hangs in the sky; in these moments, observations and insights of my own emotional weight can shine.

Physical experience threads me towards inner exploration.

So then there's rhythm.

I own 1,000s of pulses, swings, sidesteps & patterns in my daily & worldly step;

the one most particularly resounding lately is "No, no, yes".

This is my achievement-oriented rhythm ~ my "I-have-an-idea" flow.

I have lived enough years on this earth to understand the tempo of my goal-setting and creativity.

I can anticipate the elements of self-doubt and resistance that I know will show up ~

after years of practice, I know how to flow through.

The choruses sound like this...

Can I do this? NO.

Can I do this? NO.

Can I do this? YES.

Am I strong enough? NO.

Am I strong enough? NO.

Am I strong enough? YES.

Am I good enough, deserving enough? NO.

Am I good enough, deserving enough? NO.

Am I good enough, deserving enough? YES.

Do I believe I can? NO

Do I believe I can? NO

Do I believe I can? YES.

I work through the no to get to the yes (usually through time & tears).

When I finally tip the green light of acceptance & self-trust,

anything and everything is possible;

all verses come clear and pure magic arrives: full of life, love, color, light and movement.

What is your rhythm for acceptance & self-trust?

Find it,

see it,

move it,

sing it,

and be brave enough to work past the no.