Sacred Commitments

Are there commitments that you are leaving off of your calendar? I like the definition of commitment as an “interest with the highest priority.” As the months ahead begin to log jam, how many of those activities are full-on choices and how many are obligations? How many activities honor and celebrate you; your health, your passions and your goals? Even if your life is devoid of an intense work schedule and multiple social events and family responsibilities – it may be jammed with the not-so-important, denial based and soul-numbing duties. Your routine, unexamined and repetitive, may not be nourishing your life they way you need and want it to. How long has it been since you ran your life, instead of your life running you?

“Quit thinking time is “out there.” Take ownership of time – acknowledge that you are where it comes from – and it will stop owning you. Claim time as yours and it will release its claim on you.” ~ Gay Hendricks

MISSING FROM YOUR LIFE?

What do I mean by sacred commitments? I mean that which connects you to the sacred. One of the definitions of sacred is, “reverently dedicated to some person, purpose or object, regarded with reverence.” (Webster’s) Those commitments you make that connect you to purpose and demonstrate a full-on reverence for yourself is a sacred commitment and they are not frivolous, self-indulgent or selfish. Why so important, why the deep, meaningful devotion to certain commitments? Simple – you, my beloved, are worth dedicating yourself to. And the nuts and bolts of it is: the quality of your life is a product of that which you repetitively do and do not do – nothing more, nothing less. Your health, your career, your relationships, all a direct expression of what commitments you keep and what commitments you do not. How do you know what a sacred commitment is? It is the activities, choices and habits that make you feel like the best you. Sacred commitments are the moments dedicated to your well-being and when acted upon consistently, will improve and affirm your life. These commitments are those that will matter in ten years. If you are absent in your own life, it is time to reevaluate your commitments.

“The most powerful relationship you will ever have is the relationship with yourself.” ~ Steve Maraboli

I am inundated with people setting goals and wanting to make dramatic changes in their life – all good, however clients are often surprised when the first thing we do is to examine their moment to moment living. We do not begin by creating a strategy and multiple action steps, essentially adding more to the list, instead we examine where they place themselves on their list of priorities. Where are they denying their needs, their personal care and the feeding of their soul? Most often their sacred commitments are the last thing to get put on the schedule. The last thing to be done, the last thing they want to look at and ultimately the very last thing they should be avoiding. It is impossible to feel great in your life; honored, respected and nurtured when how you spend your time is in direct conflict with the goals you hope to achieve. Are you willing to rock the boat, change direction and risk disappointing others to live your life? Are you ready to embrace discomfort for the sake of investing in yourself? The payoff is worth it - you are worth it.

“In dealing with those who are undergoing great suffering, if you feel "burnout" setting in, if you feel demoralized and exhausted, it is best, for the sake of everyone, to withdraw and restore yourself. The point is to have a long-term perspective.”

~ Dalai Lama

KEYS POINTS:

 - This is not about time management – this is about knowing you are a priority and making a vow and a commitment to self – oh, and by the way if you are not your #1 priority – you need to be – non-negotiable.

 - When you know what your sacred commitments are, you have a road map to follow - knowing what you are saying yes to, will help you to say no.

 - If an activity, responsibility and item on your list are in conflict with your sacred commitments, ask yourself which one of these choices will matter in a one months, a year or ten years? Sacred commitments when avoided have the biggest impact in the long term. Baking cupcakes for the church function or staying late at work instead of exercising, seems necessary in the moment, but which one will benefit you greater in the long term?

If you would like support around keeping sacred commitments please  mailto:onpurposelifecoaching@hotmail.com