Have you ever considered the energy of Effort? What is your relationship with this energy?
Look, we certainly need effort. We use effort for many many things. We use physical effort to lift heavy bags or push heavy furniture, for instance. We use physical effort to hit a baseball or run up a hill or get into a yoga pose.
It also takes effort to practice a new skill such as playing a musical instrument or speaking a new language. Many things need the energy of effort and we’re often asked if we are willing to “put in the effort”. The rewards of putting in the effort can be rich. The effort to learn a new language, for instance, can be hugely fulfilling.
Think of some areas or activities in your own life into which you put a lot of effort. Areas in which you are really “trying”. Maybe you're preparing for a road race? Perhaps, cleaning your home? Or, caring for your family? Or, doing a good job?
Notice how going into effort feels in your body. You probably tense up your muscles or lean forward, lift your shoulders or sit up straight. Maybe you prepare for going into effort by taking a deep breath. Be aware of what effort feels like for you.
Does this effort help with what you’re wanting to accomplish?
We also go into effort over things that don’t really need such effort, don’t we? Can you think of a time when you were so tired that you couldn’t even decide what to eat? Deciding what to eat felt like too much effort and trying to make the decision was just prolonging things and delaying the meal that your body needed.
Notice how going into effort can slow things down. It can sometimes drag out a process unnecessarily.
Going into effort can make things heavier or more dense. It can weigh things down.
Have I mentioned how much effort I am capable of going into in order to AVOID doing my taxes? LOL!
Sometimes we sit down to meditate with herculean effort because we know it’s good for us and we “should” be meditating. Have you ever put a lot of effort into “trying” to relax and release? Going into effort is not always the most helpful choice.
Effort is not right or wrong. It is not good or bad. How much effort you put into something is up to you. You do have choices with this energy.
As you become more aware of Effort, you can make more conscious choices around this energy.
And with this new awareness, you can choose to release the energy of Effort.
Pro tip: Throw in some amusement!! Even fake amusement works, actually laugh out loud!
Comments