Living in Harmony

“He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe.” ~ Marcus Aurelius

How can I live in harmony with myself today?  How can you live in harmony with yourself today?

Those are big questions to consider.  And I think these questions lead to more questions that must be asked.  Thinking about this quote makes me question and assess what I am doing and why I am doing it…the motivation behind my actions.  Looking at each decision I’ve made and seeing what led me to make that decision…whether it is a relatively minor decision about what/when to eat or a major decision about a career choice or a relationship.  I’m allowing everything to be open to questioning.

Usually, I’m finding that a combination of motives is behind each of my actions.  For example, I might choose to eat something because I’m hungry and because I like the taste of that food and because I’m with a friend who is ready for lunch.  Behind those bigger decisions in life, there is also usually a combination of motives.

I believe that in order to live in harmony with myself, I must continue to reflect on what I’m doing and why I’m doing it.  If I find out that I am motivated by honest and legitimate intentions, then it affirms that I am living in harmony when carrying out that action.  If I find that entanglements are feeding one of my decisions, then I am probably off-base and living out of harmony with myself and the universe.

As I go through this process, I’m finding some of both.  I’m finding some areas in which I’m very clear that I’m right on – in complete alignment.  These actions feel like they have come straight from my core.  In other areas, I know that I have strayed.  In those instances, I need to gently redirect myself so that I can make my way back to harmony.

This work is intense…and wonderful.  In today’s society, we’re often in such a rush to move on to the next thing that we just do, do, do and don’t stop to think about why we’re doing what we’re doing.  This new practice is slowing me down…in a good way.  I like the sound of slow and intentional harmonies.