Hindsight is 20/20
“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. Because believing that the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart even when it leads you off the well worn path; and that will make all the difference.”
A couple of years ago, I put an offering into the world and shortly took it down because it just wasn’t really resonating with anyone. Up to that point, I was seeing a lot of the connections in my life and already gaining a lot of insight. I wanted to help others find the magic in their own lives. In retrospect, I see it was really pre-mature and the idea need to grow. More like, I had to grow. In the last two years alone, I can definitely see why I had to wait as there was so much more life I had to live and document.
This is my Path of Yes. That lower half is just this year alone. You can view the bigger version on selecting the image.
To be honest creating it for myself, it’s been a challenge to remember and not censor too much. I knew for others to get it, I had to be vulnerable. How many times do I need to remind myself how many low points I had along the way? I know before (and sometimes after) many of those major moments, there were some dark moments of releasing, surrender, faith and trust in myself and something bigger. How much detail do I need to capture? It’s a dance on capturing meaningful moments.
What matters the most is my experience and what this path means to me. This chart alone took me a good 6-7 hours to create because my memory isn’t the best and I had to refer to a few resources (my calendar, journal and social media).
The other day I hit the 6-month mark of being in NYC. I was only supposed to visit for 11 days! I desired to stay and invitations to stay continued to arrive. When I look at the Path to see all of the times I said, “YES!” I’m reminded that a majority of those experiences wouldn’t have happened. When I look at this evolving path of my life, I see:
- How expansive and connected life can feel. In this year alone, I had no idea any of this would happen. When I look further back, I see a lot of it was setting me up for the life I’m living now and the one that I desire.
- Trust & surrender. I’ve really exercised flexing this trusting muscle and surrendering into what FELT right for me. In time, I would learn that I would be exactly where I needed to be. There have been so many moments where I stayed somewhere and something magical and/or healing would happen for the other or me.
- Presence. Looking at my future and trying to make plans would often just stress me out. Just too many questions to answer and variables I didn’t want to think about. The least stressful place? The moment. Being present. Breathing and asking myself what I needed or wanted. When I followed that, I got what I needed and ended up where I needed to be. I’ve learned to make and keep plans that felt good with leaving some room for the magic.
- Dark times are just like passing storms. Oh how I’ve loved to learn and often own my hate of painful times. I will dive in there head first and move through the messiness of it all - even when I resist. I get to see what I’m made of and know the only way to the other side of it is through it. I know it’s cliche, but if you want the rainbows, you’ve got to put up with the storms. There is so much pleasure inhaling the scent of fresh air after it’s passed. All feels clean and clear. The clarity and passion that come from these moments are the best!
- I’m one courageous b*tch! Taking an unpaved path takes some serious courage. It is not for the faint of heart. It often feels like I’m standing out from a crowd. I may not be the first to jump out of planes, but I will be brave in jumping into the inner work of who I am.
- You can’t do this alone. I repeat. You can’t do this alone. For a very long time, I thought a sign of success was being able to say, “Look what I did. I did this on my own. I did it. See, I didn’t need a lot of help.” If someone offered, more often than not I declined their assistance. After losing my job and refusing to settle in my life again, I’ve had to lean into receiving help. Is there shame accepting help? Not as badly as before. I’m getting better at it. Seriously, this point alone would require a separate post to do it any justice. I am so grateful for every single person who offered their assistance in any form. And there have been many.
- A stronger receiving muscle. If I want to prepare to receive my bigger desires, I better start receiving these “smaller” manifestations of my desires. My favorite analogy that I like to use is going to the gym and preparing to strengthen our bodies. We don’t go into the gym planning to lift the 100lb weight on the first or second day. We’re going to hurt ourselves! Am I a better receiver than I was years ago? YUP! And do I receive bigger things now? You bet. I’m better prepared to receive that 100lb desire.
These are just some of my initial realizations when I look back on my own Path of Yes. I’m sure there will be more insight to gain as I remember and add to it. I personally believe it’s one of the most insightful tools I’ve created because when I think I can’t stretch or expand anymore, I’m reminded that I’ve done it before. Many, many times before….and I’m wiser for it.
Always love,
Ninna Amora
P.S. The Path of Yes is a major component of Live Embodied and is included in the 6-month journey offering. For a limited time, if you would like to create one with me, you can purchase and block your time here.
P.P.S I'm looking for a couple with a great "how we met" story who wouldn't mind creating their Path of Love chart with me. The chart will be created for free in exchange for using it to market and promote this new couples service. You will be interviewed at the same time by me. I LOVE and am inspired by a good "how we met" story...it's gives the single people, like myself, something to look forward to. Please email me (ninna@ninnaamora.com) with subject "Path of Love" couple.
