Devotion

n. love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity, or cause.

This past year was a big year for me in regard to developing my relationship with Commitment. I signed up for two certification programs (Yoga Teacher Training and Health & Wellness Coaching). I experimented with interviewing and potentially going back into the corporate world and learned that there is absolutely zero part of me that desires to do that, therefore requiring me to take my businesses out of side hustle mode and into Primary Income Status. It had already been my primary income for over two years now, however, I wasn't giving it the attention and respect it deserved in that way because - COMMITMENT. I've dedicated time to my body and fitness goals in a new way and I have been enlightened to the ways I am affected by commitment in romantic relationships.

Here's what I learned: Commitment makes me cagey and critical. Commitment would make me feel like my freedom was stifled, that some external pressure was now an authority I had to answer to, and my unconscious response was to respond with judgment, becoming critical and analytical as a defense mechanism. Even though some of my analyses may have been correct, the context from which they arose did not benefit me, or other parties when involved. But commitment isn't a bad thing. It's actually quite beautiful. But for me - I needed a new definition of commitment . . .

Enter Devotion: love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity, or cause.

I've been in love with devotional energy for years now and though, I've been working through these commitment issues for the past year, it is only in the past week or so that I am recognizing what I have done to move through them and stay the course.

When the "commitment" of schoolwork or business tasks got daunting or uninspiring, I remembered that I signed up for this out of my Devotion to my body (yoga - coming into union in body, mind & soul) and to my passion & service (coaching - assisting others in navigating the journey to truly knowing themselves deeply) and then the cages of responsibility and the judgments of self & "work" turned into beautiful structure and systems that have allowed me to grow (one of my deepest core values) in incredible ways!

When the "commitment" to my body and fitness goals made me question my why, I realized that I was doing these things out of Devotion to myself, my health & my wealth. I began to feel a significant difference between when I started my day with cardio and when I missed out. I began to crave the energy, mental clarity, and sense of purpose that fueled me when beginning my days in this way.

And in the deepening of a new relationship, I am realizing that the label of a commitment is useless if the Devotion to the connection isn't the driving force. And once Devotion is flowing, the commitment IS freedom of choice.

What is your relationship with Commitment and Devotion? How do they feel in your body?

I'd love to support you on your own growth journey. Are you hearing the call to CIRCLE: a group growth experience for women?

Or have you been contemplating one-on-one coaching?

Happy Valentine's Day (tomorrow)! May you revel in the love that is all around you.

Be Well,

Kate

P.S. Don't forget - The Motivation Manifesto: 9 Declarations to Claim Your Personal Power book club starts next week as well! Even though it's free, I ask that you please register so I know who's coming.