Celebrating Showing up Wholeheartedly for Five Years and other things
Five years ago in May – I began this weekly blog.
And I have a lot of joy around this. For myself for showing up each week and even more, for you, dear reader, for joining me here. Thank you so very much for your interest and the encouraging words you have so generously offered over these years. Please celebrate your own markers. It is really important to acknowledge significant moments. I looked back, to see what I wrote about in those early days and saw that my second post was about my dear, sweet Mother showing up wholeheartedly. When I read it, I realized that I could use this advice myself tonight.
Take a look here:
“Woody Allan, along with others, has been quoted as saying that 80% of success is just showing up. There is a kernel of truth there but I suggest that showing up wholeheartedly may be the defining factor.
Last weekend my 98-year-old Mother, along with 39 family members, participated in the Ottawa Race Weekend. Several ran or walked the ½ marathon but it was the 5K on Saturday that was the highlight. This event was where my Mother, along with our motley crew, walked the 5k in 1 hr and 34 minutes. This is no mean feat at 98 years old and having flown 4500 KM to do so.
I was thinking about what my Mother brought to the occasion besides her walking poles. First of all, was her commitment and effort that she put into preparing for the walk. More importantly, was her heart and grit as she placed one foot in front of the other. She gave it her all, with a smile on her face, determination and a desire to complete the course along with the rest of us.
When we crossed the finish line together, she received her medal along with the cheers of the crowd. Yet, what delighted her was to have earned that medal and done her part to contribute to our team. She went to bed that night,simply happy and satisfied.
I have pondered on what it means to show up wholeheartedly. Dr. Itami, my mentor, encouraged his patients to take on all tasks with that spirit. He would remind them that not much changes if you are simply warming the seat. With a willingness to fully participate, stretch ourselves appropriately (in this case, the 5K, not the 10k) and generously contribute to whatever it is you are doing, a subtle change of spirit takes place. We rejuvenate and become more creative and alive as it influences everything we do. Best of all, we have more fun.
Living Well with Illness and ageing, for that matter, isn’t about running races; rather, it is about finding fulfillment in the present by living to the best of our ability and our interests. It is about carving out meaning, each in our own way, through active engagement in both purposeful activities and fun hobbies. It is making time for people we love and like. It is singing while there is voice left.”
David Steindl–Rast, of gratefulness.org renown, wrote about wholeheartedness as the antidote to exhaustion and stress. At that time, he was talking to the poet-to-be David Whyte and encouraging him to do what he could do wholeheartedly, which was to be a full-time poet. However, I too benefit from this advice, for different reasons.
As for me, I am doing what I wholeheartedly love, but…but…tomorrow I am going to Chicago, where I am co-hosting an event to honour the 30 years of the ToDo Institute. And I can’t help but slip into a bit of anxiousness as to how it will turn out. Still, Japanese Psychology is all about showing up wholeheartedly, making the best effort, adapting to the unexpected and finding moments of joy. So, this five-year-old post was a good reminder to do just that.
Still, we are humans. I am so excited about this weekend and I can count on myself and others to do everything that needs to be done to create a good experience for participants, and I can still feel anxious—a distinguishing feature of being human. Maybe that is one way to distinguish AI from humans. :-))
Notes
1:) Information and Registration Link for the online program that begins June 6th, hosted by the Sorrento and Naramata Centres in British Columbia.
2:) Five years of thank-yous to all of you. A deep bow to each reader of this blog.
3:) Ah, another anxious moment as a second change from AWeber for my blog distribution starts this week. Fingers crossed that it went as well as last time. What I love about Japanese psychology is we don’t need to fix ourselves. We can be anxious or shy, or afraid and still do what we need to do. And of course there are many learnable skills that can help us do that.
4:) I wish you all a good week. This weekend in Ottawa is race weekend and one that I have participated in for many years by walking—a great place to walk or runa 5k to a half or a full marathon. That is a photo of my 98-year-old Mother with the founder of The Running Room back in 2018
5:) Do you notice the seal in the photo taken by Gottfried on Gabriola? And the banner photo was taken by Rob in Vancouver. See you all next week. Warmly, Trudy
Trudy, I think having a bit of anxiety prior to “performing” in any way is not only natural, but helpful somehow. May your time in Chicago be wonderful. And imagine seeing that seal! Thanks for sharing it, Gottfried. I’m having a root canal tomorrow, so I’ll try to go into it bravely and whole-heartedly. Safe journey!
Hi Carol: thanks for your kind words. It is always lovely to hear from you. Good luck with the root canal. Gentle hugs, Trudy
Nervousness is natural Trudy but with your warmth and empathy for people you will be a shining star.
Good luck, have fun and miss your presence in FB. Love to you, Pat
Thanks dear Pat-always so generous. I plan to get back to FB again. With appreciation and warm wishes, Trudy
How exciting to go to Chicago for the celebration of Todo Institute. Greetings to Greg & Linda. Not sure but may have been 30 years ago I attended a workshop by Greg in Anchorage. Safe travels.
Nancy… how good to hear from you. I will be sure to give them your greetings. Hope our paths cross again one day. Warmly, Trudy
What a wonderful weekend it was five years ago in Ottawa with the family. Wishing you a fantastic weekend in Chicago, you are amazing at everything you do ❤️
Thank you dear Meghan even though you are biased in my favour, I appreciate your kind note. Love you lots, Mom
Good morning. What an honor to be asked to co host Trudy ! Grateful for Greg/Todo as I learned Naikan from them. Cannot see the seal but the photos are lovely.
Hi dear Kathryn: thanks for your lovely note. Always so good to hear from you. Liok again for the seal. Bottom left up against the rock. Same colour. Let me know if you find it. 😊Warm wishes, Trudy
I did find the seal, thank you Trudy. Just needed your assistance.❤
Yeah Kathryn. It is hard to see even when you know what you are looking for. Good eye.
Thanks for letting me know. A big pat on the back.as always, Trudy
Dear Trudy,
Once again, your wisdom and encouragement arrive in my life exactly when I need them most!
I wonder if showing up, and wholeheartedly, may be an antidote for despair and discouragement about environmental losses, witnessing traumas of the war in Ukraine, and a personal shift of worldview re: aging.
I’m thinking that showing up, a sometimes challenging feat for me, can be made easier with the development of an action plan of baby steps i.e. push the dog off my feet, push back the bed covers, sit on side of bed, put my feet in the floor…and etcetera…
One step at a time; one day at a time; one postive self-talk statement at a time; a new mantra ” Just show up. Be present.”
Starting today, not tomorrow.
I echo Pat’s sentiment in that I miss you in Forest Bathing online.
Love Wendy K. ❤️
Hi dear Wendy. You have explained clearly about doing what you can do. We keep showing up for what arises here, now. One step after another. As Helen Keller would say – even though we cant do everything we still want to do the one thing we can do. I appreciate your thoughtful and kind note. Currently sitting in the Toronto City airport as opposed to Pearson International and honestly a lovely way to fly to Chicago. Don’t forget to enjoy your beautiful garden. Thank you! Eventually I will be able to get to Forest Bathing again. Warmly, Trudy
You are such an inspiration dear Trudy – 5 years of writing for this blog, walking the race weekend, teaching, learning, and so much more. A wise teacher once asked if my anxiety before ‘performing’ might be excitement – I felt the difference. They’ll never make an AI like you!!:) Have a fun weekend in Chicago! much love Janice
Hi Janice. You made me chuckle. And you touched my heart too. Sitting in Toronto City airport enroute to Chicago. What a calm and pleasant place. We will debrief when I get back. Big hugs, Trudy. Calling my gate now.