All Hail the Lizard King!

All hail the Lizard King! What the lizard wants the lizard gets.

Who is the lizard king? Why it's you of course! Each of us has a lizard brain inside of us, that primitive protective psyche housed deep in our brains. The lizard takes over whenever our fears are triggered. You can talk all you want about living your personal calling, but the lizard will do whatever it takes to nix the idea. No love, generosity or creativity exists in the lizard brain, only survival. The lizard is ancient and intractable. The lizard always wins.

I've been on a post-surgical sabbatical from work over the last six weeks. I've had time to let go of work while still having the safety net of an income. The lizard struggled for the first few weeks before quieting down. Then it happened - my creativity unfurled. I began a self-inquiry into what makes me happy. I remembered how much I like to write. I wrote a poem for a friend. I journaled. I began taking better care of my health and wellbeing.

You'd think the lizard would be into that last item, but you'd be surprised how the lizard chirps out, "we don't have time for that, we have to workworkwork!"

The struggle between good and evil might be better stated as the struggle between my higher self and the lizard. When I take time to breathe, to center myself in my heart and listen, I sooth the lizard and open a door. When I release the tightness in my body through movement, I bring my focus out of the lizard brain into my higher brain. When I allow myself time without the distraction of the lizard I can answer my calling and fulfill my purpose.

What do you do to overcome your lizard brain?

Spirit, help me to breath. Spirit, help me exhale. Spirit, with each breath bring me into my higher self that I might channel you through my mind and body. Amen.

Majeeda Rosa

P.S. If you want to learn more about the lizard brain and how to work with it, I recommend Seth Godin's Linchpin: are you Indispensible?

Viva la Résistance!

All week long I've had ideas about topics I'd like to write about. I had three ideas alone just driving over to the coffee shop this afternoon. And yet...

 

There's that pesky resistance, digging its heels in and crossing its arms.

 

I'm perplexed. I LIKE writing! Why avoid it? Well, let's see:

• I’m no expert - plenty of folks out there know more than I.
• I had an idea, then read about it on another blog.
• Why would talking about myself appeal to others? Seriously, how many people are reading this blog?

You get the idea. I'm sure I'm not alone in doing this - do you judge yourself into paralysis? The best way to tame my monster is to answer these questions.

 

There is so much to write about! And who's more knowledgeable than myself about fear and love, stumbling and learning? We all have expertise in that. I write about my journey through life as I peel away my layers of fear to expose, and live within, my authentic heart. I have to believe there’s some authority in that.

 

Oh man! Someone else just wrote about "my" idea - That's OK, I can take it and run with it anyway. I can use their material (with links and credit of course) to springboard my own thoughts on the subject. Sharing my love of learning includes connecting my readers with other experiences that help peel the fear away, help them live authentically. I remind myself that my input is about perception and not perfection.

 

This last one is always a tough one. Who cares? I care. I yearn to help others as much as myself. Sometimes helping myself IS helping others. Living by example - and failing and living some more by example - I hope to help others recognize their own sacred humanity as I recognize my own. Selfish? Maybe. I hope not. I find it scary, but good, right, and gratifying.

 

Finally, Gentle Reader, this is where I expose my soft, vulnerable, squirmy inner self: What do YOU get from my blog? I’d really like to read your comments on this.

Lord, thank you for courage. Thank you for friends. Thank you for the ability to self-reflect. Thank you for the hand that reaches out to grasp tightly during moments of vulnerability and uncertainty. Thank you for knowledge.

Majeeda Rosa