Stabilize your Core

In working with my clients – and looking at my own inner workings – I have developed this theory that we all have a set of things – that make up our core – or our foundation.  These are those things or areas of our life that provide us with a sense of security, safety, stability.  When these are compromised – or aren’t there – we can’t live out our purpose, we can’t go after a life of passion.  We can’t focus on it.  Let’s face it, we’ve all seen enough sci-fi to know that its very bad to de-stabilize the core. 

It kind of reminds me of Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs – remember the triangle from sociology or psychology class?  The bottom layer is Physical Need – and when those needs aren’t met – that is where our focus resides:  food, clothing, shelter.

The concept of our core is a different way of looking at that.  My core contains: financial stability (am I making ends meet?), spiritual connection (how is my relationship with God? am I doing my daily practice?), health (am i practicing self care?), support relationships (is my support system in place? friends, family relationships)… When one of these is compromised or broken in some way – I worry, I obsess, I must DEAL with this area – restore stability to my foundation so I can resume reaching for my dreams, living out my passions.

Not everyone has the same core…I know someone who has music in her core.  I love that.  She needs music in her day, in her life.   I know someone else who must write.  If he isn’t writing – things get off-kilter. 

Once our Core is stabilized – then we can trust it to support us as we go after our passions – the things that inspire us, drive us, call to us.   What is in your core?