“I like to think of myself as an artist, and my life is my greatest work of art. Every moment is a moment of creation, and every moment of creation contains endless possibilities. I can do things the way I’ve always done them, or I can look at all the different alternatives and try something new and different and potentially more rewarding. Every moment presents a new opportunity and a new decision.”
–From Creative Visualization, by Shakti Gawain
The holidays are full of key moments, and Ki moments. Are you ready for them? Decisions about gifts, company parties, Christmas dinners with friends and family: they are full of opportunities, aren’t they? Will the pressure of the moment help you reach peak performance or will you look back later and wonder why you did what you did? Again!
When your brother does something that puts pressure on you, your kids are excited, your partner forgets the wine, and your associate forgets the most important action item, everything you do, say, and receive depends on what you yourself do. you choose at that time.
Give yourself and your loved ones and workers some unexpected gifts this season:
–The gift of your best self. When you feel pressure, take a breath and go back to what you really want, for this moment and this relationship.
–The gift of empathy. He gives up the fight and acknowledges the pressure you and they are under.
–The gift of perspective. Laugh, love, let yourself go and learn.
–The gift of peace. Don’t talk about peace, BE peace, in your family, your workplace, your community and your nation. As Gandhi said: “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.”
Ki (from Ai-KI-do) is Japanese for vital energy. Aikido means “the way of mixing with energy”. How will you extend your vital energy this season? How will you receive theirs? It’s your choice. Your life depends on that.