Co-Creative Mentoring LLC Sheryl Harrell, MAA.B.S., EFT Cert.
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Spring's Eternal Optimism

3/20/2019

 
What a difference a week makes. This time last week Colorado

was experiencing "snowcopalypse”—bomb cyclone winds,

blowing snow, and road closures. We hunkered down at home

and watched as snow blew sideways and branches fell to the

ground around our house. The first day of spring is

promising to be sunny and warm with most of the evidence of

last week’s storm melted away.




In the northern hemisphere, we enter a new season as the

spring equinox welcomes new life. Whether you're in the north

or south, the change signals that the season before is dying so

a new one can be born. Although there are aspects of each

season that I enjoy, I particularly love this time of year!  Our

garden is full of snowdrops and crocus and every day new

things are popping up and surprising me. The lovely snowdrop

is one of the first flowers to appear in the spring as it warms the

snow around it and works its way through the snow to bloom.




The spring equinox is a seasonal, astronomical event caused by

the Earth's axis tilting neither toward nor away from the sun.

Twice a year, at the Vernal (spring) and Autumnal (fall)

equinoxes (equal light), the Earth's tilt is in perfect balance. Day

and night, light and dark, are nearly equal in length. Springtime

is a time of growth, renewal, new life, and balance.  We begin to

feel more energetic and open to allowing changes – both big

and small – into our lives. This is a time to examine our

lives—inner and outer and make room for the new (think “spring

cleaning”).  Across cultures and traditions people are called to

positive thinking at this time of year. How can anyone not be

inspired by the spirit of optimism that spring brings?

Picture
The darkness of winter is ending &

we’re moving into the warmth of the

light. Nature is coming alive after

months of being dormant.  The same

thing is happening to you.  Your

attention is drawn toward your

intentions for what you want to plant,

grow, and nurture within. The end of

winter can sometimes feel a little unsettling. The energy shifting

from an inward to an outward focus and the transformation it

brings may bring a feeling of being out of balance. Where do

you feel out of balance in your life? Where do you feel

balanced? What are ways to bring balance in to your life?


One way to bring balance in to life is by shifting our perspective.

Research in to the new and growing field of
Positive Psychology


shows how important emotions such as hope, joy, and

excitement are to our wellbeing.  


Positive Psychology is the scientific study of the strengths that enable individuals and communities to thrive. The field is founded on the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves, and to enhance their experiences of love, work, and play.

The founder of Positive Psychology, Dr. Martin Seligman, and

others have determined that one of the key elements that has a

major effect on wellbeing is optimism. Their research shows that

optimistic people are happier, healthier, recover from illness

more quickly, and even live longer.



Optimism is having confidence in a positive future or success of

something even when an optimist encounters a difficult

situation. She makes course corrections toward a desired

outcome because of her positive perspective.  This indicates

that an optimist accepts the situation, even the obstacles to

success and continues to work toward accomplishing her goals-

-Growth Mindset in action (see our March 14th post).




Psychologists also believe that optimism can be learned and/or

can also be genetically inherited. If an individual is taught to see

the positive aspect of each situation and cultivates the belief in a

positive outcome from childhood, this becomes a lifelong habit. I

see myself as an optimist (most of the time) and believe that I

both learned and inherited optimism.



For as far back as I can remember, I heard my mother's words

"Things always turn out for the best". I didn't always believe her

when things didn't turn out the way I wanted them to. But those

words have echoed in my mind and heart for decades, thanks to

my mother. In case you think she lived with her head in the

clouds, never seeing "reality" the way the people around her

did, allow me to tell her story.



She was the oldest of four children, born to farmers in rural

Georgia. From the stories I've been told, I learned that she was

a happy and healthy baby. When she was nine months old, she

became infected with the polio virus. Shortly afterwards, she

was sent 200 miles from her home to a hospital in Warm

Springs, Georgia where she would spend the first five years of

her life. Not only was she separated from her family (my

grandparents couldn't afford to leave the farm and travel to visit

her very often), she was isolated and underwent very painful

treatments, including time in an iron lung. She had very little

comforting, physical touch. The disease left her paralyzed on

one side. I can’t image how she felt or how she survived and

thrived.  I've come to believe that her attitude, her mindset, was

her pathway to living a long and fulfilling life. Much like Viktor

Frankl's examples in Man's Search For Meaning, she choose to

see the "glass half full" even under such devastating

circumstances. She chose to see the present and future from a

positive perspective.



The Positive Psychology approach also recommends building

optimism by habitually recognizing and challenging pessimistic

thoughts – something made much easier by the new season in

which we can throw open the windows, and let in the fresh air

and soft sunlight.



Spring is all about opportunity – a time for cultivating optimism,

for accepting ourselves, finding balance, strengthening the

belief in ourselves and our ability to overcome obstacles,

including our own fear.  This Co-Creative Mandala, "Optimism"

invites you to embrace Spring's Eternal Optimism and step into

the unknown. The spiritual journey of the spring equinox is one

of discovery.  Remember, savor,  and build on optimism

throughout  the year.

Picture
Let go of fears, old habits, and stories.

Throw open the windows and let in the fresh, vibrant

energy of new life.

Infinite possibilities are available to you.

Expect success!

Embrace the beginning of something new!

Optimism Exercise:

Spring has always been considered as a time for change and

personal evolution.
If changes need to be made in your

life, this exercise is going to set that in motion.
It’s designed to

help you honor what is and leave behind whatever doesn’t serve

you and to support allowing your goals to manifest.



Give yourself plenty of time to dive deeply into this exercise.

Meditate, journal, create your sacred space for doing this

exercise throughout the spring season. Come back to this

exercise as often as you like. Make it your own.



Find a quiet place, without interruptions. Light two candles, one

for that part of you that is holding on and one for that part of you

that is letting go.

 

Invest your time and attention. Don’t rush. Close your eyes.

Take several deep breaths. 

 

Open your eyes and focus on the mandala. Invest a

few minutes toward feeling the “Optimism” energy traveling

through your body & all your chakras. Imagine that energy

bursting through your crown chakra & extending far into the

heavens. Now, feel the “Optimism” energy entering your

body through your crown chakra. Sit with this energy for a few

minutes, feel yourself connected to the mandala energy.


 
What about the mandala captures your attention? Notice and

Wonder--Something in me is feeling...

 
I wonder what it wants me to know?




Begin asking yourself the following questions; acknowledge

whatever is holding you and holding you back. This helps train

your brain to cultivate optimism...

 


1.
What does optimism feel/look like to me? What does

optimism mean for me in me spiritual journey?



2. Where do I feel optimistic in my life?


3.
Where is there pessimism? Do I feel out of balance in any

aspect of my life?



4. What can I do to bring optimism to that part of my life? 

This is one thing I'm willing to do that brings optimism to

my life.




The cycle of life is once again starting. This is the season of

new beginnings. Right now, these energies are combining to

make this a time of growth & evolution. 
In order to make this

change a reality, first appreciate what is. Then cultivate the

power of optimism. 
Believe that anything is possible this time of

year. Celebrate spring because it reminds us that our optimism

eternal.




You may have difficulty with this process. I know when I first

started intentionally shifting my attention to being optimistic,

I thought I was "betraying" reality. That seems odd to me now,

but I was invested in the limiting beliefs that come with

pessimism. I think I was afraid to let go and allow optimism to

guide my life. I invite you to be gentle with yourself and trust the

process. You've been living with these beliefs for a lifetime;

they've protected you; pessimism has kept you safe. It's

important to acknowledge and honor this.




One energy modality that I've found to be gentle and effective

for working with limiting beliefs is EFT/Tapping. By tapping on

meridian accupoints, EFT-Tapping sends a signal to the energy

system that you are safe.  It's a very effective technique for

clearing our energy system of the disruptions that happened

when the experiences we had created the limiting beliefs.

When we feel safe, we can see our human experience through

a compassionate and optimistic lens.



I offer 30-minute complimentary EFT/Tapping Sessions. This is

a perfect way to begin exploring and releasing limiting beliefs as

you move toward a life of Eternal Optimism.


Peace and Joy to your seeking heart,

Picture

The Power of...YET

3/14/2019

 
We invite you to join us this year as we explore the magic of Co-

Creative Mandalas and the blessings that each season brings. 

Just like the seasons affect all animals, plants, trees, insects,

and flowers--all living things on Earth, we believe the seasons

also have an effect on our mind, body, and spirit. We feel

different energy at different times of the year. For instance, our

energy is much different at Summer Solstice than it is at the

Winter Solstice. Co-Creative Mandalas represent a microcosm

of the greater mandala that is seen throughout the year with

each passing season.  We are thrilled to share insights and

practices that support your journey toward increased peace and

happiness.



Even though the first day of spring is less than a week away

(WAHOO!), it’s still winter outside (as evidenced by the blizzard

that blew through Colorado yesterday leaving snow in our front

yard, sub-zero wind chill, and icicles hanging from the gutters).

The Earth is quiet throughout the winter months, sleeping and

preparing for new growth. It’s also a time to rest and invest time

toward preparing internally for changes we envision.


This runs counter to the energy on January 1st  which invited

me to commit myself to fresh beginnings and new intentions. I’m

pretty sure that many of us translated the spirit of these

beginnings into resolutions, setting goals, making plans, and

moving into action.  We begin with feeling motivated and

energized; we envision our best possible self and set intentions

and create goals to support the changes we hope for.


Every year I say to myself "This year will be different. I'm going

to finish all the projects I made resolutions for last year". For a

while I’ve been trying to figure out why I can stick to my

resolutions for a while and then slowly drift back to the habits I

had before that pesky New Year came along putting pressure

on me to clear out closets, eat healthier or join a gym all in

service of “new year, new me” . Even if I manage to stay the

course for a while, all those good intentions for mind, body, spirit

improvements often fade in the rear view mirror in a month or so

and I go back to the habits I had before I envisioned clean

closets, de-cluttered desks, and a slimmer, trimmer body.


Research shows a third of resolutions don’t make it past the first

month.  Why is that?


Picture
Some experts say we set goals

that are too lofty or not

connected to our values or are

based on outside approval.

Others say it’s because our

goals aren’t S.M.A.R.T. or

because the goal takes too long

to achieve. I can see how those


reasons may be barriers to achieving our goals.


And…I think there’s a deeper reason that we abandon our

resolutions, goals or intentions--particularly the ones we make

at the end of the year.


I hold the belief that the movement toward action at the New

Year may run counter to the seasonal energy present at that

time and throughout the weeks of winter. Have you noticed that

your energy is different in January than it is in June? More on

this later.


Sometimes when I don't achieve my goals or master a

challenge as rapidly I like, I get frustrated. I lose motivation; I

feel impatient. Full disclosure: I’m not a particularly patient

person. Many years ago I told my more patient friends (who

urged me to be patient) that “patience isn’t a virtue, it’s a waste

of time”. They laughed; I laughed. But I was (and still am)

serious about that, some of the time. Even though I strive to

change my ways and be more patient, there’s still a kernel of

truth in that statement (a story for another time).


I recently saw a FRUSTRATION HAPPENS bumper

sticker--(why didn't I think of that?). I admit I smiled when I read

it.  Each day I find plenty of good reasons to be impatient--long

lines. Telemarketers. A goal isn’t materializing “fast enough.” I

can drive myself crazy (crazier than I already am), be irritable,

feel victimized, or try to force an outcome--all self-defeating

behaviors. Or, I can learn to cultivate the power of Yet--a type of

hope that reminds us that just because we haven’t achieved our

goal yet, we’re on a learning journey and we shouldn’t give up

even when we’re faced with challenges. It’s an exciting concept.

I love the
Sesame Street song!


Dr. Carol Dweck has made it her life’s work to research how

learning happens. Although she’s primarily done her research in

education, I think her results point toward understanding how

our mindset supports achieving our goals.  As I understand it,

she identifies two mindsets: Fixed and Growth. These mindsets

are based on the stories we tell ourselves when we’re faced

with a learning curve or waiting to achieve our goals.


The fixed mindset stories are based on limiting beliefs we have

about ourselves—“you’re not good enough”, “it’s safer not to

try”. The growth mindset stories are based on realizing we have

a choice about how we approach challenges and obstacles “I

am good enough”, “I’m willing to give it a try”. At the heart of

growth mindset is patience—the practice of waiting, watching,

knowing when to act and learning along the way. Patience

attunes us to our intuition. It is self-care in action.


So, how are the power of YET and patience connected to the

seasonal energy that’s present in the winter months? So glad

you asked!


There is a special stillness in winter. Everything seems dead &

frozen, but life is quietly unfolding deep in the darkness. It’s a

time of turning inward. It’s a time of rest.  A time when anything

is possible. New possibilities are born within us at this time of

year, even if we can’t see them--yet. Winter is a time of

envisioning new beginnings. As we move from winter to spring,

we’ll begin looking forward to the projects & plans we’ll bring to

fruition over the months ahead. Patience is the energy that

winter invites us to cultivate; it's the foundation upon which our

goals and plans are built. Patience
draws us inward toward

wisdom, our Wholeness. It invites us to trust ourselves, our

intuition, and the power of...yet.


Picture
Possibilities are quietly unfolding in the darkness.

Change is happening deep within even if you can't see it.

Nurture the seeds of new ideas and intentions.

Trust in the order of all things.


Patience Exercise:

Bring your dreams to life. If changes need to be made in your

life, this exercise is going to set that in motion.
It’s designed to

help you honor what is and leave behind whatever doesn’t serve

you and to support allowing your goals to manifest.


Give yourself plenty of time to dive deeply into this exercise.

Meditate, journal, create your sacred space for doing this

exercise throughout the remaining days of winter and in to

the spring season. Come back to this exercise as often as you

like. Make it your own.


Find a quiet place, without interruptions. Light two candles, one

for that part of you that is holding on and one for that part of you

that is letting go.
 

Invest your time and attention. Don’t rush. Close your eyes.

Take several deep breaths.  
 

Open your eyes and focus on the mandala. Invest a

few minutes toward feeling the “Patience” energy traveling

through your body & all your chakras. Imagine that energy

bursting through your crown chakra & extending far into the

heavens. Now, feel the “Patience” energy entering your

body through your crown chakra. Sit with this energy for a few

minutes, feel yourself connected to the mandala energy.

 
What about the mandala captures your attention? Notice and

Wonder--Something in me is feeling...

 
I wonder what it wants me to know?
 

Begin asking yourself the following questions; acknowledge

whatever is holding you and holding you back. This helps train

your brain to cultivate a growth mindset...


1.
What has changed in my life over the past 6 months?


2. What do I need to let go of now in order to freely move

forward in my life? What beliefs or assumptions are holding 

me back?


3.
What changes am I currently experiencing in my life?


4. What is newly beginning in my life?





This is a transformative time in your life as you begin

implementing all the changes & plans you dreamt about over

the winter . Right now, these energies are combining to make

this a time of growth & evolution. 
In order to make this change

a reality, first appreciate what is. Then cultivate the power of

Yet, your gift of patience, and invite transformation to effortlessly

unfold.



Imagine re-reading your answers to these questions 12 months

from now. How will you feel? Are you going to re-read it and feel

like nothing has changed? Or are you going to look back and

say, “WOW! This last year has been filled with patience, so

much more self-love and greater abundance!”



Trust that everything is unfolding in the perfect way. Allow

yourself to open to the greatest possibilities the coming spring

holds for you. Trust that you are on your path and exactly where

you are meant to be. Open to all the blessings that you co-

create with the Universe.


Peace and joy to your seeking heart,

Picture
    Picture

    Author

    Sheryl Harrell, Gardener
    of the Soil and of the
    Soul & Co-Creator of
    Mandalas. Happy you
    found my Blog!

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