“The most self-defeating thing you can do is to take action with divided intention.
If you are doing something while resisting, resenting, or complaining about it,
you are ripping yourself off, along with everyone else involved.
Nothing is more annoying than someone doing something
and kvetching and whining as they do it.
Either do something with a whole heart or don’t do it.
If you agree to do something, then really do it.
If you don’t agree to do it, then really don’t do it.
Be total.”~ Alan Cohen: Enough Already
I have been familiar with Alan’s work for years and years !! I respect his teachings, and love his humor in conveying life’s daily workings. (Hope you check out his books and YouTube vids. They ‘hit home’ for me.) This quote takes in the framework of messages most have heard since kidhood: “in or out” when standing at the screen door; “in for a penny, in for a pound” as one is preparing to jump for the first time from the diving board; “all or nothing” admonished when raking the leaves. or facing a chore / making a choice to step into some action.
For me, where Alan’s quote brings a deeper resonance, is with the words “whole heart.” Suddenly it not just the head talking and making the agreement to do or to not do some action, it’s the ‘heart’ ~ the emotional component of a true commitment. A spiritual aspect, if you will. If every choice comes from the clarity of the head, the awareness of the emotions wrapped around the ‘yes’ or ‘no’ (which is just really an opposite ‘yes’ to something else), and … a spiritual core of being-of-service (to Self or to others), then one can be cleaning up dog poop, doing a load of laundry, or helping hang sheet rock; it makes no difference. Wholeheartedly. Large or small, simple or complex ~ when making the choice to say ‘yes’ to others, or conversely say ‘yes’ to self, one is coming from a place of internal knowledge, agreement, and commitment. Totality. No game playing; no people-pleasing; no wishy-washy. Total clear choice.
As you look at this week ahead, discover the blocks to being ‘totally Total’ !! “To be or not to be; that is the question.” Find your answers!
Feel free to share your thoughts.
Lin Church, Mssw
Coach ~ Mentor ~ Writer ~ Presenter: JourneyWoman