Trainer: August 16 - 22

Aug 15

2 min read

I started working with Karen, a personal trainer, a few weeks ago. In between the BOSU ball and the punching bag, we have the best conversations. Karen sees the natural athlete in me and encourages me to keep getting stronger. I love the positive talk but my inner klutz remains skeptical.

Karen receives these weekly emails just like you. She's curious about mindfulness mostly because it feels like something foreign to her ever-busy mind. I explain that mindfulness is a misleading name for learning to pay attention to the present moment. It is much more about being in the body, sensing the breath, feeling the feet on the earth, and being open to life as it is happening here and now. I tell her that she already embodies the heart of mindfulness, but I suspect it will take many more Sunday emails before she believes.

Isn't it strange how our limiting thoughts and self-criticism get in the way? Today, be grateful for the trainers in your life who helped you become your best self.

Practice

Here's a guided meditation for limiting beliefs and harsh self-talk.

Think back over the day, the week, the month to when you ran up against a limiting belief. Mine sound something like, "I'll never be able to...", "This always happens ...", "Why am I stuck again ...". Find your own version and replay the scenario a few times. Hearing the words again, how does it make you feel? Can you identify in your body where you feel the aftershocks of reliving this uncomfortable moment?

Now place your hand on your belly, your heart, or wherever you're feeling vulnerable. Imagine a wise friend, a beloved ancestor, a trusted mentor or your future self sitting next to you. Experience the gift of their presence. Allow their concern and care to surround you. Remain in silence for a minute until a sense of knowing arises. Trust your intuition as you hear kinder, wiser, truer words spoken with compassion in love. Remain here as these new words take root. Capture a snapshot of this moment, to pull out the next time you need it.

In case you found it difficult to identify a wise person, let me share with you some of my favorite trainers, teachers, and mentors. (Select their photo to link to a wealth of articles, meditations, and reflections.)