Grieving, Moving Forward

So much change is in process.  I feel like my own personal identity is dismantling and reconstructing, all at the same time.  It feels like I am right on schedule with the rest of the world, where dismantling and reconstruction are also happening on a grander scale.  It's a good thing--it's not easy.  I'm feeling the emotions of this time of letting go.  I feel sad, afraid, open, creative, happy, shaky.  This is a whirlwind time that I agreed to go through in order to become a midwife for myself and for others as we navigate this rocky path.  It's heartbreaking to let go of what is known.  It's heart lifting and invigorating to blaze a trail through the unknown.  An amazing time of change.  Every little thing is gonna be alright.

"Sometimes your heart will break.

...And it will seem an impossible task;

...To live in the midst of the inevitable breakdown

Of life as we have known it.

Be gentle with yourselves

...It is only as we make room

For that which has remained homeless

within us

That we can be a healing force for this world."

                        --goldenflower

 

"Don't worry about a thing.  Cause every little thing's gonna be alright."

                                 --Bob Marley

                                                                                                       

 

 

  

Shine

With all that is happening in our world, it's easy to feel like we need to attend to the struggle.  We are each here to offer our strengths, and that's what is most important for us to stay focused on.  So the best use of our time and energy in these days of change is to spend it on connecting with our essence.  Essence is what brings us joy, assists us in making human connections, and keeps us acting in authentic ways as we walk in the world.  When we connect with our essence others receive our true energy in ways that make us shine.  This energy exchange encourages those who are around us to shine also.  Our true work--our true selves--these are the bright lights we were brought here to express and to share with each other.  Bring your shining essence to the world!

"...stand up and show your soul.  Soul on deck shines like gold in dark times.  The light of the soul throws sparks, can send up flares, builds signal fires, causes proper matters to catch fire.  To display the lantern of the soul in shadowy times like these--to be fierce and to show mercy toward others; both are acts of immense bravery and greatest necessity." 

                                   --Clarissa Pinkola Estes     

Remaining Calm

Staying centered.  Staying calm.  This is my intention for these days.  Not the Queen's type of calm, as in "Keep calm and carry on."  This is not a time to stuff our feelings of anxiety and pretend everything is fine.  It is a time to recognize that a lot is happening in the world that is creating chaos.  There is wild energy swirling in all parts of the world.  It is important to acknowledge that we are all being bombarded daily with things that don't feel right.

In light of this it is our responsibility to stay grounded and clear and full of compassion.  A tall order, I know.  But we are here to enjoy life and to do our best.  It is possible to stay separate from the mayhem, even if that is a challenging task.  Many people are stepping forward to assist in this endeavor.  Each of us needs to explore how to connect with our best energy in ways that work for us personally.  May you be blessed with strength and clarity.

"You are the sky.  Everything else is just the weather."

                               --Pema Chodron              

Just Being

Today I am just being.  It is enough.  It's all good. It feels good and right to connect at a deep internal level with my best self.  To connect with the energy that is truly me.  It is peaceful, it is humble.  I feel refreshed and renewed with this energy and connection.  Staying in this space brings me much joy.  Nothing else is necessary today.  Springtime invites us to begin anew, and to usher in this next phase of life.  I wish you a day of peace and gentle connection.

"Believing in our hearts that who we are is enough is the key to a more satisfying and balanced life."

                                       --Ellen Sue Stern  

Building

We are in a time of creating new ways to be in the world.  With the upheaval of the past 2 years we have had the opportunity to see how our established structures have not been working well.  Especially with regard to our non-inclusive institutions and our detached relationship with the natural world.  This time gives us the opportunity to re-imagine who we are and what kind of world we want to live in.  People are connecting and gathering in new ways and for a variety of purposes.  I feel like this is the beginning of a creative reorganization of what has been into what can be.  We are forming a network and building a web-like framework that can become a new foundation of earth experience that is compassionate and mutually beneficial to all beings--plants, animals, minerals, elements and humans.  Continue on your path with an open heart and an open mind. 

"We carry a new world here, in our hearts.  That world is growing this minute."

                            --Buenaventura Durruti

 

Nature

I love being in Nature.  My stress level drops immediately when I am away from "civilized" life.  Nature vibrates with an energy that benefits humans profoundly if we open ourselves to receiving that goodness.  It is possible for us to have reciprocal conversations when we find ourselves in the midst of natural settings.  At those times we might be focused on a personal life issue. If we sit quietly within the energy of nature's presence, Nature will often speak to us through our thoughts and visions.  We provide the questions.  Nature brings us suggested answers.  It's a wonderful and amazing communication process.

"In every walk with Nature one receives far more than they seek."

                                  --John Muir

      

Structure

We are stepping into the Unknown.  We have lived through two years of something that has created large upheaval.  All parts have been flung into the air, and when they fall back into place they will land in a different configuration.  It will be some version of life that we are not accustomed to, that is begging for reform, and that will be re-formed.  So as chaos seems to continue, I feel invited to imagine what structure will be created for this new arrangement. I made a painting one time called "Searching for Structure in the New."  This has come to mind as I look at where we are, and also at what we might be moving toward.  I have no answers, just an openness.  No requirements, just a wish for positive change.  I have no plan, just a willingness to participate in the process.  I believe that what needs to happen will happen, and we will be put to work as the need arises.  A structure is forming, guided by the Universe.

"I am going into an unknown future, but I'm still all here, and still while there's life, there's hope."                    

                                                --John Lennon

"I dwell in possibility."                      

                                                --Emily Dickinson