Last night, I was bouldering (still very much a newbie), staring up at the next hold with a mix of uncertainty and terror. π
Photo for attention (this was back in August with my sister, but you get the idea!)
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a fellow climber watching me struggle. β "What's up?" he asked. "It's just... so high! I bailed on my first try. Fear got the best of me." He smiled.
β
The secret is doing it scared."
π€ Mic drop. β Not all Buddhas wear pink leggings π§ββοΈ β But with his reminder (and a few helpful tips), I eventually conquered that 'problem'.
Btw, I love that they call their walls "problems"!
It's not just about muscle; a climbing problem is like a puzzle where you must find the most effective way to move your body. If you try to muscle through, you'll be exhausted after one try! If you don't fall, you're not pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and cannot grow.
It's a balancing act, really.
Every time I climb, I'm amazed by how much obvious mindset work needs to go into it, and it reminds me...
How often do we let fear hold us back in life? What if fear wasn't something to avoid but something we need to move through?
And that feeling of "doing it scared" carried me through today, where I am navigating another task that feels like risky business:
Opening the doors to my third cohort of the 4-week FREE Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation Course!
π And this time, I'm trying something new...
β
4-week Free Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation Course
This time, I'm leaning into vulnerability and injecting a bit of silliness into it.
This can be for you if..
β³ Youβre curious about mindfulness but have no idea where to start. β³ Youβve downloaded every single meditation app out there but struggle to make it a habit. β³ Your inner critic NEVER takes a day off (just rude). β π It's FREE. And we start on February 21st. β The previous 2 cohorts have been amazing, and this time, the content will be infused with all the lessons I've learned along the way. Recordings available.
β
Here's what you can expect:
Learn to surf the waves of your emotions: Even the challenging ones!
Discover how mindfulness can be your compass: Navigate life's twists and turns with more clarity and focus.
Cultivate a personal practice that sticks: No sitting like a pretzel required.
Grow together in a supportive online community: Connect with others on a similar journey.
Have some laughs along the way: because life and suffering are too important to be taken seriously (:
The details:
Starts: Friday, February 21st at 4 PM GMT
Duration: 4 weeks, with weekly live sessions on Fridays at 4 PM GMT
Recordings available: Can't make it live? No problem!
20% off the five-session standard package. We identify what 'progress' looks like for you right now, we make friends with whatever is getting in the way, and we make a plan to rock it.
8 AM GMT: 10 minutes of guided meditation + 5 minutes of silent meditation + 15 minutes of informal chat and sharing (great place to ask questions about the course!).
Judgment-free space: Show up as you're most comfortable.
P.S. You're reading this because you signed up for a free event, download, or newsletter with me, Maria Chietera, and now you're on the list for my regular letter. I know your time is valuable, and your inbox is packed (same here), so I appreciate you reading this newsletter.
β
β