By Nicola Albini, J.D., M.A.
I grew up in Italy with traditional Italian parents; I’m sure you can picture what that’s like!
I did all the right things - played golf in an elite league, pushed the family business into massive success, and pursued a Law Degree.
Most of what fueled my momentum came from the desire for approval, especially from my father. I wanted his love.
But we never did develop true closeness, and eventually I moved to the U.S.
I brought my “approval seeking success fuel” with me - and pushed myself to complete an Ironman but felt…
Nothing.
(If you haven’t read this story yet, you can read it here.)
I decided to follow a deeper calling and got a Masters Degree in Spiritual Psychology. My parents came from Italy to watch me graduate.
Afterwards, I took them to the airport, not knowing when we would see each other again, I fumbled through my bag, scared out of my mind for what I was going to do next.
“Here, Dad,” I said…
Handing him a book of poems I’d written called “Whispers of the Soul,” stories of my life and true self I’d written authentically and vulnerably.
I hugged him and walked away.
Later my Mom called: “Your Dad didn’t stop crying in the airport or the whole way home, I was so embarrassed!”
I smiled.
We’ve just passed the Chinese New Year, and in many communities, this is considered the real start of the year. The theme that comes up for me is moving forward. There is still so much I want to accomplish and experience in whatever time I have left here.
But I no longer want to experience it from push energy like when I was younger. I want the energy of releasing the part of me that clings, expects, demands…
Like I did when I handed my Dad that book. I released my fear, and expectation of his approval. The result? A satisfying relationship with him that I still enjoy today.
We don’t know how much time we have - but my guess is you have a lot you want to do while you’re still here too. That includes work and business, but also life and leisure… love and spirituality!
We’re not going to get any more time, so we’ve got to learn to create momentum (without force). There’s a way to do it.
I want to share a practice with you to create effortless action so you can finish what you start, receive at a much deeper level, and make space for the new to come in - and it’s a great time to do that!
A spiritual teacher recently asked me: “Would you rather want that, or would you rather have that? Because if you want it, you have to release that feeling!”
“Well, I’d rather have it than want it!”
How about you? Whatever it is that you feel called to move forward with in this new beginning - what if it could be so much easier?
I want you to try this with me - and I want to hear about your results. Here are a few easy steps to follow - try them out and be in touch, okay?
Identify what you want to create.
Release inside of yourself whatever comes up - in terms of feelings associated with that. Let go of every fear, insecurity, the attachment that it has to happen any certain way.
Create momentum by shifting instead into the necessary steps in order to bring what you desire into fruition.
You’ll start to see themes of what you are attached to… the fear of failing, having things go a certain way, feeling anxiety… you’ll see what that is for you. Welcome it all, let it all go and move into positive action.
I’d love you to try this out with me! How many days can you commit for?