FM Walsh & Associates Inc.

A New Practice for 2009

I am spending New Year’s Eve on beautiful Saltspring Island and as I contemplate the year that is past and the year that is to come, my mind keeps being drawn back to a project launched by Deepak Chopra that I read about this week.

Called The Vow, Deepak is calling on people to take a vow of non-violence in their thoughts, speech and actions.  I think this is a very powerful tool.  It got me thinking about all the ways I see my female clients and friends practice violence on themselves with their own thoughts and speech:

•   They hold themselves to a state of perfectionism which is unrealistic and creates a ton of stress and anxiety within them.     
•   Not eating ice cream or chocolate “because it will go straight to my hips”.
•   Not acknowledging their successes  - instead they always focus on all the stuff they have not finished doing yet.  
•  Pointing out the mistakes they made, instead of taking credit for a job well done or giving all the credit to other people.
•  Not taking time out to recharge, refresh or look after yourself.

All of these things are a form of self-violence.  They stifle enjoyment of life, pride in one’ s accomplishments and send out a message that “you’re not quite good enough yet.  Keep working harder.”

So I say enough.  Go and take the vow and then loosen up on yourself in 2009.   Send me your stories throughout the year and let me know how it turns out!