Written by: Elizabeth Simmons, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
False Summits
You’re almost there. Just a few more steps, and you’ll reach the end of the journey, the summit, the Pinnacle Peak representing all. All the obstacles overcome, all the backslides down, all the steady ascents, all the steep inclines, and all those “rest stops” where you had contemplated giving up only to keep pushing onward.
What do you think happens when you reach “the top”? Will all your desires be fulfilled? Will you be fully satisfied and content, basking in your glory and wanting for nothing else? Perhaps you’ll be cautious about wanting anything else—wanting too much—for true happiness comes from within. Right? And wanting for more will tarnish your appreciation of what is?
In yoga, we are taught santosha, a Sanskrit word that represents the idea of true contentment, being completely full, satisfied, and whole with what is. I’ve experienced santosha many times (usually expressed in tears and giggles) when light broke through the clouds on a snowy day over the reservoir, in my backfield surrounded by the aroma of the wild roses while feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin, or even after a long day of physical activity, snuggled under the blankets with my dog Padawan happily curled into a ball behind my legs. If there is such pleasure to be found in the here and now, through awareness and appreciation of the glorious world around us, would wanting more almost seem ungrateful? What more would one possibly need, and what is behind this wanting?
“One never stops climbing, Julie, unless he wants to stop and vegetate. There’s always something just ahead.” ― Irene Hunt
Listen, if you feel guilty about wanting more, stop right now, it is in our nature to want more: more experiences, more happiness, more ways to express ourselves, JUST MORE. We are creative beings, meaning that we cannot help but think of ways to express that creativity. We are part of the universe, literally made of stardust. The universe is expanding, and that expansive energy is within us needing to be released. There is no final destination. There is no ultimate summit, for once you reach that peak, another will be seen that you weren’t aware of before.
How, then, do you marry contentment of “what is” with the universal pull of expansion? Well, if you accept the fact that there is no ultimate achievement, that whatever happiness you’ve attached to what has yet to come will only be temporary, it may then cause you to focus on the now. To find those sweet moments of pure awareness and appreciation in the small miracles of this world. Knowing also that your universal purpose is to grow, create, and express yourself, you will then embrace your position on being on the leading edge of the creative.
This concept of loving what is while also answering the call for more is what I like to call Creative Contentment. It is the act of creating, building, expanding, and expressing your true self through the work, actions, interactions, and play in the here and now where contentment is found. It is the climbing of mountains for the joy of climbing, excited about the views, knowing that even more peaks will be on the horizon.
“Feel yourself climbing the mountain.” ― A.D. Posey
Check out Elizabeth on her website.
Elizabeth Simmons, Executive Contributor, Brainz Magazine
Liz Simmons is a woman of action in the career and life coaching field. A massive injury (full rupture of Achilles tendon) in 2010 made Liz ditch her corporate job of 10 years (Environmental Scientist), and start taking responsibility for her own life. Since then, Liz has inspired hundreds to transform their lives by making changes in their health, career and mindset. Liz is the owner of Strength & Grace Life Coaching, a business mentor for EforAll (Entrepreneurship for All), an international speaker, a life coach for high schools, host of “The Pivot Posse” interview series and author of a weekly blog. She has dedicated her life to helping others move from frustrated, apathetic and insecure to focused, confident and courageous. Her mission is to help millennials with a passion develop the mindset and skills for becoming successful entrepreneurs.
