We should become like the steppes- empty, infinite, but at the same time, full of life – The Zahir by Paulo Coelho
As I read through The Zahir (book review here), I decided to create and take on a practice to release my old story, allowing for creativity and life to flow freely through me every day.
(You can find both versions of my practice here)
Releasing your old story means forgetting the memories causing you pain and suffering. It means forgetting the feats that make you proud, forgetting all the events that you think make you you to allow yourself to face each moment with a pure perception. When you successfully release your old story, you’re no longer dragged down by what once happened or what may happen in the future.
It sounds like a romantic idea, but it isn’t always easy, everyday life gets in the way.
After completing my practice a few times through, I was able to accomplish this feat, and the reward far surpassed the efforts. I was rewarded with a weightlessness about me as if I were walking through life as a child.
I became overcome with the same feelings of joy that I have traditionally only felt while traveling through a beautiful place.
That joyful ‘feeling’ was the main reason I set my life up to move to an island last summer. I didn’t think I had the strength to learn to feel that way while surrounded by the hustle and bustle of northern NJ.
I was scared I would fall back into the habits of who I once was if I stayed; as if staying in a familiar place would hinder me from growth. What made me decide to stay was the realization that I was more afraid of what would happen if I stayed than what would happen if I moved to an island.
I vowed to not let myself forget my main motivation to go, and I felt determined to learn to feel that joyful feeling regardless of my surroundings.
For the past seven months, I reminded myself of this desire and stayed committed to learning how to find a way to mentally bring myself to that space.
(This practice) allows me to wake up in the morning, no matter where I am, with that joyful feeling.
It allows me to go through the day with a lightness and joy about me. It brings me clarity surrounding situations that would regularly stress me out and drag me down.
That joyful feeling overcomes all of us once in a while. We call it a good mood (or good coffee).
How freakin’ awesome would our daily existence be if we found a way to PUT ourselves in that state? This is why I’ve taken on this practice, and it’s something I will continue to take seriously and grow upon. It has already quickly improved my life more than I imagined, and I hope it’s able to help you as well.
@Influencive put up a perfect post about this last night:
Imagine letting it all go and feeling freed up to take your next step forward in life?
My practice to release my old story helped me calm myself enough to think clearly and take action to move forward in my life.
When I complete my practice I’m able to fully let go. It allows me to be here, in the moment, and enjoy it as is.
Practice: How I Release The Weight of my Old Story. Check it out here. If you decide to take it on, let me know your feedback 🙂
My Review of Paulo Coelho’s ‘The Zahir’
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