Nothing to Prove

I was lucky enough to return home Monday evening from spending a long weekend at Canyon Ranch. If you aren’t familiar with Canyon Ranch, it bills itself as an upscale health resort. I think of it as an amazing zen retreat with lots to offer your mind, body and spirit; while considerably lightening your wallet.

I credit Canyon Ranch with starting me on my transformational journey eight years ago. The first time I went I had a lightbulb moment of understanding the mind body connection.

Up until then, I thought that eating well and exercising were enough to live a healthy life. It was at Canyon Ranch that I first understood that a diet of anger, bitterness, resentment, fear, worry and self doubt was perhaps a quicker ticket to the morgue than a daily habit of drinking, smoking and fried foods.

It was then that I took stock of my out of control thoughts and emotions and realized I needed a new education in what it really took to lead a healthy, balanced life.

They say that all of the cells in our bodies completely regenerate every 7-10 years. In the eight years I was away from Canyon Ranch, I have completely regenerated my every thought pattern as well.

While to the untrained eye I may seem predominantly the same, I would tell you that couldn’t be further from the truth. What on my first trip was an almost completely negative thought pattern has transformed into an almost completely positive one. Now my thoughts focus chiefly on love, trust, compassion, acceptance, personal choice and abundance.

What really struck me during this trip was how incredibly nice it is not only to have peaceful thoughts but also to have nothing to prove.

I didn’t have to prove that I was worthy of spending the money and taking four days away from my family.

I didn’t feel fake when I was around the women I travelled with.

I didn’t have to take intense work out classes to prove that I am in shape or to force my body to look different.

I didn’t have to wear certain clothes or look a certain way to impress anybody.

I wasn’t embarrassed to proclaim that West African Drumming was my favorite class.

I didn’t feel guilty that one day I skipped classes altogether, gabbed through breakfast and lunch and then popped off to soak in the hot tub.

If you are in a constant state of needing to prove yourself, it is very hard to relax and enjoy yourself. And if you don’t enjoy your “downtime” you have defeated the purpose of taking it.

So if people aren’t able to relax on vacation, then what is it like in their daily life? A lot of what I notice is a constant need to prove worthiness coupled with insecurity, worry and guilt. Not an easy way to go through life–I know, because it used to be me too.

This return trip to Canyon Ranch was very much a “You’ve come a long way, baby” moment. Thankfully I was able to appreciate and embrace how amazing it feels.

What if you are and always have been perfect simply for breathing? What if our purpose in life is joy? What if you never had to get the grades, the job, the house, the family, the cars, the look, the lifestyle to prove anything? What if none of that ever had anything to do with your worth as a human being?

If you are feeling empty inside, you already may have an inkling that achievements aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. You may already sense that feeling good about yourself and your life has nothing to do with your status.

If you would like to talk more about this and figure out how to reach your own “you’ve come a long way baby” moment, please hit the Contact button in the upper right corner of this page. First calls with me are always free.

Hugs,

Lorna

In order to change your life, you must first change your mind.