Practice Makes Progress
Often times we have acknowledged a life lesson, we have had the awareness, we have taken action, changed our thinking, changed our behavior and we have transcended the old awareness that resided within the old pattern yet continue to attract similar experiences related to the life lesson. When we realize that we are continuing to attract similar experiences we wonder, perhaps even worry that we have not truly learned the lesson.
Through this open door of self doubt does the lower self slip in, seizes the opportunity to project a failure, lowering the vibration and placing our perspective in a space of fear and doubt and has us viewing the Universe as a punishing authority. We’ve stepped out of our power and out of our truth and have lost our footing on the foundation of progress that we have actually made.
So let us take a step back, step out of the perspective of the lower self and back into our truth and back into the knowing that the Universe is infinitely loving, supportive, wise and efficient. Let’s step back into the realization that we are continuing to attract experiences related to the life lesson, not because we have failed to learn the lesson, rather we are being given opportunities to PRACTICE. These continued experiences are simply providing platforms for us to hone our skills and to become more comfortable with the related lesson.
One of the life lessons I chose to work on in this lifetime is setting boundaries, speaking up, saying no and setting limits/perimeters for what I want to experience and engage in with others.
Setting proper boundaries was not taught or demonstrated to me growing up, having no foundation to draw upon, as a young adult my attempt at finally setting boundaries was met with very challenging responses. In most cases my boundaries being new and fragile, were completely disrespected. The boundaries I set were either totally ignored or were bulldozed through, completely obliterating the line I had set. Those who enjoyed and prospered from my lack of boundaries in the past couldn’t quite comprehend the changes I was making; couldn’t accept the limits I was presenting and thusly so rebelled against them.
Thankfully, with an extra heaping dose of perseverance, I prevailed; I continued to set boundaries, speak up and held my ground. Just because my awareness awakened to the roles I had been playing on the stage of no boundaries, doesn’t mean those I played these parts with have had their own realizations. Just because I had the awakened awareness and took action, does not mean that it was easy, in fact my experience was quite the contrary, especially since the boundaries I began to set were so fiercely fought against. Thus my early experiences in setting boundaries seem to make the situations worse, rather than better.
Truth be told I really don’t like having to set boundaries, I don’t like having to speak up and draw the line. Can you blame me with the history I’ve experienced? Yet the Universe in its infinite wisdom continues to bring me experiences that allow me to continue to practice, providing me platforms to hone my skills and to gain more comfort and confidence in the area of setting boundaries and speaking up.
The good news is, it REALLY does get EASIER with practice. As I have continued to hold my ground and maintain my boundaries with the rebels, I have begun now to attract a new level of experiences with this lesson. I have begun to attract experiences with those that actually honor and respect the boundaries I am setting.
I still don’t like having to set boundaries or having to speaking up yet I know as I continue to embrace the opportunities being presented to practice, it will continue to become easier and I will continue to gain confidence and become more comfortable with this skill.
I confess I wasn’t very eloquent or graceful in the beginning, in fact I stumbled through the process when I first started speaking up and setting boundaries. So I say to be gentle with yourself as every new skill is developed over time and with continued practice.
Even those skills that come naturally to us we still need to practice and work with to maintain our ability and to exercise and keep flexible those “muscles” used for that particular skill. So it is just as (if not more) important to practice those skills that do not come so naturally to us, for continued practice DOES make for continued progress!
I would much rather live in a loving, supportive Universe, as my Higher Self knows it to be, than a Universe that acts as a punishing authority as is the perception of the lower self. So with this preference I make a choice where to reside, to reside in an infinitely loving, supportive, wise and efficient Universe. A Universe that supports my choice to learn and grow in my awareness. A Universe that supports my need and desire to continue to evolve and expand within the infinite potential of my consciousness.
So it is with each of us to decide where we wish to reside . . .
Decide to ignore the wagging finger of the lower self, attempting to declare you have failed to learn the lesson and project the perception of punishment over opportunities that are simply being presented so that you may practice within a chosen life lesson.
Decide to live within the infinitely loving, supportive, wise and efficient Universe and embrace the opportunities to practice and to further develop the skills and comfort within the related life lesson. Remember that it is we ourselves who ultimately determine when we have mastered the lesson and are ready to move on.
We are never alone in our learning. We are always supported, guided and inspired by loving guardians and guides who cheer us on each step of the way. Ask for help when needed and remain open and receptive to the assistance as when you ask, it is given.
Lastly, recognize and celebrate your progress, let your progress be your focus, this will prove to be the elixir of your continued growth and confidence, and will prove to be the elixir of your ascended awareness.
It does get easier! Practice does make for Progress!
Copyright © 2011 R Barkemeijer de Wit
May your continued journey be bright, beautiful and blessed in all ways!
With much love and respect, Rhiannon Barkemeijer de Wit
PS ~ In writing this I utilized the example of boundaries and speaking up as one of the Life Lessons I chose to work with in this lifetime. If you related to boundaries and speaking up as a life lesson that you are working with you may wish to take a Journey with Goddess Ishtar, our Guided Meditation for Realizing and Maintaining Balanced Boundaries, available on CD & MP3 www.GoddessMeditations.com
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