Your Side Hustle, Balance, and Wellbeing.

When You're Spread Too Thin

How often do we see, hear, or read about someone and their side hustle? Maybe you're a part of this crowd.

Having a secondary or an additional part-time job is nothing new. I've done in my past. In fact, in my twenties I had four part-time jobs as well as attending university full-time. I remember how hard it was to find balance between work, school, and time for myself. 

As I look back now I understand I was not kind to myself as a result. I was in the cycle of doing and acquiring and not really 'doing' as I would describe it today. 

My definition of 'doing' in my fifties is more like The Beatles lyrics to know without knowing, to see without seeing and to do without doing. It's about letting go to achieve more of what is truly important in life.   

But let's think about the word 'hustle'. 

Unless you're a product of the late 70s and are familiar with the disco dance of the same name you probably have conjured up an image of a game of three-card monte, a game of billiards or cards in a shady, smoked filled room. 

Either way, the word hustle doesn't imply peace, calm, or balance. In fact, it has the opposite meaning.

When we have more than one 'hustle' or 'priority' one tends to receive more attention than another. This situation may be manageable in both the short term and long term. But what about three, or four, or perhaps five hustles?

Unquestionably, your wellbeing will begin to suffer. Mindful attention will be lost. The purposeful quality you striving for in each task will be lost. The beauty of life will not be evident. The relationships you are trying to strengthen and provide for will begin to weaken. 

When asked why a relationship is over, very seldom is it said because you are a hard worker and brought in a lot of money but more often the response is you are never here. All in the name of a 'side hustle'.

In the Noble Eightfold Path we are taught about Right Mindfulness and Right Contemplation. When we find ourselves pulled in many, often competing, directions we lose both of these important qualities. We wont achieve the peace, joy, and ease of suffering without all of the steps in the Eightfold Path working harmoniously together. 

If you are working one job while trying to start your own business, that's perfectly fine. One must have an income to survive. 

But if you're working one job and have several different business ventures all the while why trying to balance a family, the quality in all will begin to diminish. 

Mindful attention in your responsibilities will be lost. You will not have the wellbeing you seek. There is also the possibility of losing all.

Instead to help return to the present moment return to the breath. 

Breathe in and say 'my happiness exists right here, right now'.

Breathe out and day 'my wellbeing is built in the now'.

Remember, it's fine to have wonderful intentions of where we'd like to be but not at the expense of today, the here, the now. 

I wish you peace and ease,

Vladimir

Blue Lotus Meditation and Mindfulness Center is a registered 501(c)(3) religious organization.

When Your Pot Is Too Small?

Knowing When You've Outgrown Your Environment

An intrigal part of our personal growth and development is recognizing when we've reached our potential in a certain environment. This environment could be a relationship, a social group, or even a career. In not holding onto a past that no longer offers warmth and development the Buddha gave a wonderful analogy that as a snake sheds its skin so too must we shed our past.

What once started off as a wonderful and loving to grow has reached its limits. It's also important to understand that this cycle of growth is normal and healthy for us. However, when we remain in these environments anxiety, unease, or perhaps even a sense of contempt may begin to manifest within. This is the unhealthy aspect of staying.

How can you recognize when your pot is becoming too small in these environments?

You may begin to develop thoughts of 'why am I still here'? 'I'm wasting my time'. Thoughts of this nature are initial signs and allowing the continued watering of these seeds of negativity perpetuates an unhappy circumstance for all parties involved.

When we are mindful of ourselves and others we know that there may be times where we have outgrown or learned all that a situation has to offer. When we come to this conclusion it's important to approach both with grace and kindness.

Like an Oak tree growing in a pot who realizes their pot is too small, there are two opportunities that we may be grateful for as we make this growth transition. The third option is least desirable as we walk along our path.

The first, being grateful to the current situation. For it is here that you learned to develop into who you are now. You have grown. This is the normal and healthy part of your growth. For example, imagine having the same mindset or views at 50 years old as you did at 20 years old. That would not be a healthy condition to exist with as one would develop conflict with peers their own age.

The second, being grateful for the new opportunity that lies ahead. You may have an idea what this is, or you may not. If this new opportunity has been thrust upon you as part of an unknown event, a layoff for example, welcome it with openness and intrigue. With the right perspective it can lead you to wonderful realizations about yourself. Both of which can lead you down a new and educational path of development.

The third option would be to remain in this limiting environment. This will not be beneficial to your personal growth and development and oftentimes is regressive or destructive towards your mental wellbeing. And just as worse you will make others suffer as your negativity will begin to show.

When the time comes to severing these ties be thankful to whomever you speak to and realize that they have learned from you as well and that this may be a challenging time for them too. We must ease suffering for all involved.

Promoting kindness in all we do, even to ourselves, is an important aspect for our own development and growth and it's a loving action to change our pot.

I wish you peace and ease,

Vladimir

Blue Lotus Meditation and Mindfulness Center is a registered 501(c)(3) religious organization.

Where to now? A Mindful Approach To A New Year.

Approaching The New Year With Mindful Intent.

With the onset of another new year here how do we know where to go? How do we mindfully set out with positivity, self-compassion, and understanding in determining what is right for our own personal growth and development.

Many people set out to make New Year's resolutions with the intent of improving themselves from last years shortcomings. 

The very essence that someone recognizes in themselves that there is an opportunity for growth is such a beautiful realization and should be celebrated. 

Some people don't have this insight while others minimize and write it off.

After many years myself of making goals and resolutions and not achieving what I had set out to do became routine until I approached these growth opportunities with mindful appreciation.

First, consider the deep meaning of the words resolution or goal.

They're both very hard, binary, cold, and unforgiving. They're words used in a business setting and not necessarily appropriate for personal growth.

Instead, I have adopted the word 'intention'. Intention is forgiving, warm, and compassionate. If I am slightly short of what I set out to do I'm allowed to say 'I did my best'.

Whereas if you didn't meet your goal or resolution, you've failed. 

That's very hard on a person and doesn't allow for life to unfold as it will. One lesson in mindfulness is to be kind to yourself.

For example, if you set out to read 10 books this year and sometime in late summer a life event happens that alters your pattern you may find out that you've read eight. 

If you've used the word goal or resolution you've failed in what you've set out to do.

If you've used the word intention you understand that something significant happened over the course of your life and you had to make a caring adjustment. You still read eight wonderful books that you might not have read at all.

Realizing right from the beginning that our very own verbiage we chose to use sets us on a positive, uplifting path or conversely along a path that is hard, cold, and unforgiving.

Secondly, allow for flexibility. No one can see the future, not even into the very next moment. Remember impermanence? 

Impermanence is knowing that all we see, feel, and is in existence will some time in the future not exist. That includes your current state and station as well.

For example, we are still experiencing the effects of COVID and all of it's variants. In 2019 we had no foresight nor understanding as to what 2020 or 2021 would bring. Yet alone what will happen in 2022.

So to gain a more compassionate understanding, here and now, I invite you to reflect on any 'goals' or 'resolutions' that were not able to be fulfilled during those years?

Do you or did you feel that you were a 'failure'? I certainly hope not. 

As challenging as it was, and still is, you were understanding and embraced a sense of openness towards what would unfold the next day.

So in walking along your path towards your own unfolding, continue to embrace this same mindful openness and compassion with your own 2022 intentions.

Happy New Year.  

I wish you peace and ease,

Vladimir

Blue Lotus Meditation and Mindfulness Center is a registered 501(c)(3) religious organization