Quest 2018

#wequest #bestyear

{The italicized is a writing prompt by Jeffrey Davis.}

Find a quiet, private place. Then, follow these instructions:

Imagine your best possible self at the end of a year from now. In this case, imagine you are in December 2018 looking back upon how you have shown up for 2018. See yourself in a specific place as if you were looking back upon the year: maybe a favorite chair, a deck or balcony, a mountainside. As your best self “looks back” upon the year, reflect upon and write in intimate detail your response to these questions:

• How have you shown up for your best work? What kinds of distinct activities have you been engaged in? What have you been making or creating as part of your best work?

My best work is three-fold: writing, teaching yoga and coordinating retreats. I have been engaged in daily writing, as part of my meditation each morning. Writing practice. Journaling. And also publishing. I have been posting weekly blogs, more thoughtful, longer essays that I spend more time revising and polishing. These weekly blogs, compiled, I have self-published as a book. I have been teaching yoga classes twice a week, once for kids, once for adults. I have led 3 successful, week long retreats here at Lake Atitlan. I have paid attention to all the details and double checked my work with regard to coordinating the logistics of each retreat group's arrival, stay, schedule, activities and ceremony.

• Who have you engaged and how has your work positively impacted them?

Through my blog, I have engaged my readers. Through my writing, I have inspired others to live a simpler more eco-logical life, practice yoga and meditation, and be a kind, compassionate and loving being on the planet. Through my yoga teaching, I have inspired my students to practice asana, pranayama and meditation both in a group and on their own, with a regular personal practice. Through my retreat coordination, I have helped group leaders and their students/guests enjoy their experience at the retreat center. Ultimately, our vision is to help assist the expansion of consciousness into the love light for the benefit of all beings without exception.

• What have you done differently that has stretched you?

I have taken on some commitments: to write every day, to teach yoga twice a week, to lead 3 retreats, to work 36 hours a week (instead of 25) for my "day job." I took a trip to Colombia to visit my husband's family and then travel in South America. We spent a couple months exploring Ecuador and Peru before heading home to Guatemala.

• What 1, 2, or 3 big goals have you reached?

I have written a book. I have taught regular classes and led retreats in January, April and November. I have excelled in my work as reservations manager/retreat coordinator for VS.

• In the process, what challenge has your best self met and how?

It has been a challenge to continue my meditation and writing practices on the road. On the days I practice meditation and writing first thing in the morning, the day inevitably goes smoother and I am more present and patient. However, the reality of being in Colombia with B's family and then traveling in Ecuador and Peru, is that daily practice sometimes goes by the wayside. It's also challenging to work nearly full-time and also teach yoga classes and lead retreats. I have readjusted my yoga retreat offering to give myself and participants free time during the day with our group practices before breakfast and before dinner.

• What skill set or craft did you learn or improve upon?

Writing! I've been writing for a long time, but sporadically and without enough devotion or discipline. By writing every day (or as close to daily as possible), I have improved my craft. Yoga teaching! Likewise, I've been a yoga teacher for 16 years now, but for the last several years I have taken long sabbaticals. Not so in 2018: I will be teaching weekly classes and leading three retreats. Retreat coordination! There is always room to improve and I am always learning more about the systems and how to communicate and work more effectively in a team at VS.

• What 1 habit did you add, adjust, or drop?

Added: delightful, devoted daily morning practice of meditation (purification practice/chanting followed by silence/mindfulness), yoga (asana and pranayama), writing (practice and weekly publication).

• And overall, how have you felt throughout the year when you’re engaged with your best work?

Amazing! Aligned with my heart and soul. Inspired and inspiring. Benefited and beneficial.