big weekend

I'll be attending a "Next Step" advanced shamanism workshop this weekend.  I always look forward to these events with the anticipation of a kid going to a friends birthday party.  Don't really know what to expect, but know it will be good.  Preparation for this workshop included constructing a "spirit house" which will honor my spirit guides as well as things which signify those things I deem significant and noteworthy on my spiritual path.  I had no problem constructing the house; pretty straightforward stuff even for an amateur woodworker such as myself.  When it came time to make the decision on what the house should contain, that's when things got sticky.  Granted, there were some things that were really no brainers, and other things whose only provocative thought was which item best stated my intent.  But then, there was the "other stuff".  How to portray some things that were near and dear to my path, but not in an obvious way.  I don't want to go into specifics because these things are obviously of a highly personalized nature.  But there are so many things that have led me to where I am on my path today; so many people whose presence in my life have guided me, whether intended or not, in a positive way, or not so much, to my present state of being.  I journeyed on the question and received helpful response, but much of it was sort of open ended.  This exercise has already been of great value in making me examine those things and those people who have had such an influence on my path.  I felt like there was an immense responsibility to understand these relationships in order to reach the realization of how to best represent them in the limited space of my spirit house.  That's when I realized I was over thinking the whole thing.  I had the realization that the answer would not stem from logic or rationalization, but from my heart.  Once this was accepted, everything fell right into place.  So naturally, this led me to consider how much of my life in all its' venues was like this.  How often do I over think my life.  How often am I the proverbial wall flower, hiding in the shadows over thinking things instead of taking to the dance floor experiencing the full pleasure of my existence.  This may show up as worrying about what someone may think, or what may happen in response to my action.  Granted, I think it wise to consider how my actions will effect others, but whoa, ease up a bit!  Bottom line is I must do what I believe to be right.  There are two thoughts that come to mind with this, two statements I have heard in the past.  One I stated in a recent post; in the end, it is not what we have done that we will regret, but rather those things that went undone.  Secondly, what others think of me is none of my business.  In the end, what really matters is that I am true to my heart.  If this is the case, all will be right.