I noticed a nostalgic feeling as my point practice came to completion this morning. I heard my dad say, “you will always have a soft place to land, here”. Throughout my adult career, he reminds me of this often. He always speaks into existence that I will do big things in the world. Not for one second in my life, has he thought, spoken or believed otherwise. For most of my life, his belief in me would intimidate me. Yet, I believed in how much he believed in me.
As adamant as he has always been about who I would be in this world, he has always been as firm about the fact that there will always be a soft place for me to land, here. Not there, here.
And this, for me, is the point of practice - particularly point practice. This awareness is why I allow myself to live my life as a practice. I find beauty as I wander. I explore new things as I wander. I learn new languages as I wander because I experience it all as practice for the sake of practicing. There is no need for mastery. My soft place to land is always here with me. Point practice reminds me of this.
I create space for meditation quite often in this world. Point practice holds a special place in my heart. Yes, the focus is point. Deeper still, the practice is knowing that point is always available when the awareness has wandered. This practice becomes the journey. Every point practice is an experience of all that is. And the point remains as my soft place to land.
Here’s an invitation for all of us, in our own way, to loosen the grip on point as we acknowledge it as a soft place to land. A home to come to. An invitation to know that there is always a place for you.
As is always true, my dad calls himself my number one fan. So it won’t surprise me if he reads this. So dad, as you read this, know that every word you say matters. Thank you for loving me in your way. Yep, you taught me to “to get two for the takedown and 6 for the pin” AND you taught me that my best will always be the only way. Thank you always offering the hug after I get out out the 6ft circle where I have to execute leverage, balance, and positioning on my own. I’ve always paid attention. Thank you for this soft place to land.
And to you, the readers, welcome to my practice.
I am humbled by your words. I am inspired to encourage you more as I am encouraged. Life is never linear, but a path that has many off roads that we must travel to appreciate the main road. I have been derailed many times in my years, but have never given up. I reach back and hold your hand, as you trust me with your hand and heart. You will always have a soft place to land. I guarantee that 💯 percent. This is what I live and work for. Because I too have been given a soft place to land. Love you First Daughter!