I had my first acupuncture experience today.
It was pretty much awesome. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect and I was slightly nervous. I am pretty familiar with the meridian lines in one's body due to my Thai massage training and I know enough about my own energy to know when things aren't a-flowing. Despite more familiarity with eastern medicine than the average American, I was still apprehensive about it hurting for some reason. I expected to feel a little pain from the needle insertions or something. Turns out, there was no pain at all. I focused on deep breathing, relaxation, the music and meditative mantras, and found the entire experience deeply relaxing.
I'm not going to go out and sign myself up for the next acupuncture training course in the metro, though many of you who know me well would expect that. I did, however, schedule a follow-up session.
Why am I telling you about a seemingly trivial part of my day? Well, because I want to point out a few pieces of advice I read today and realized applied nicely to my experience:
1) Fear is typically what stands in the way of new experiences. If I'd let my unfamiliarity with acupuncture or my nervousness about the possible pain envelop my thoughts, I probably never would have tried it. Too often, we get absorbed in our fears, doubts, and worries to jump in and try something new - whether it be new foods, a relationship, sky diving, acupuncture, or some other experience.
2) Your time is your most precious resource. Make sure you are working in your work time and relaxing in your recreation time. Don't let the two merge together to make neither of them profitable. This rule always trumps the “Have a willingness to learn” rule. Learn as much as you need to and then focus on the application. - Jay Stockwell, from his ebook on creating an online business
I could have spent a lot of time researching acupuncture, learning more about it, reading testimonials, watching youtube videos about it, etc. or I could just schedule an appointment. Often times, we get so wrapped up in the learning piece of a topic that we never actually go out and DO ANYTHING. I am at fault for this so very often, and am constantly reminding myself of this helpful advice. I routinely coach people who talk and talk and talk about what they're going to do, but they rarely get to it until I kick them in the butt.
Also, had I spent the entirety of my acupuncture session thinking about doing my taxes, worrying about my to-do list and such, it would not have been "profitable." I would not have gotten the experience of relaxation that I did. Similarly, when I sit down to focus on work, I make that time more profitable by being in the moment and not thinking about relaxing with a good book.
3) Almost everyone I know is busy. They feel anxious and guilty when they aren’t either working or doing something to promote their work. - Tim Kreider, from his article entitled "The Busy Trap"
I have been feeling a tad guilty for the life I lead lately. On a lackadaisical Monday afternoon, I got to enjoy an acupuncture treatment (not to mention it was after a holiday weekend full of family time). How lucky am I? Tim Kreider's article was full of validating and heartwarming sentiments for the choices I've made (and for many other self-employed individuals I bet). So many people assume that I'm busy because I have a multitude of passions and projects I am pursuing, but my schedule is incredibly flexible. I almost always have time to babysit my nephew or niece, to have a cup of tea with a friend, to have a phone chat with a faraway friend, or to get acupuncture! I do, because I MAKE time. I could probably put more effort into my work, yes, into advertising, earning money, and the like, but my priorities aren't there. My priorities are in developing the relationships I cherish, taking care of my wellbeing, and enjoying life to the fullest.
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