Co-Creative Mentoring LLC Sheryl Harrell, MAA.B.S., EFT Cert.
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It's Time to Shine Your Brightest!

6/20/2021

 
Summer is shining, weather is sweet, makes you wanna move your dancing feet.
                                                                                 Bob Marley
The magnificence of Summer Solstice has arrived! Depending

on where you live--this year's Summer Solstice falls on June

20th or June 21st.


The Summer Solstice is the celebration of the sun, the longest

day of the year, and the first day of summer!


Right now the sun is at the height of its power.


And so are you!!


We hope you are enjoying being a bit less restrictive and

moving your dancing feet, by seeing family and friends, feeling

more comfortable traveling, dining out or getting back to your

pre-COVID activities. All in all, it just feels better, doesn't it?


Can you find some time to be outside today or tomorrow?

Sit outside for lunch? A walk after dinner? A glass of wine

outside this evening? Or, just PAUSE for a moment outside, as

you come and go today.


Take a moment & soak in today's powerful fire energy.


Ever since the Winter Solstice, the daylight hours have been

growing; at Summer Solstice the daylight is 5 hours and 49

minutes longer than the Winter Solstice. Every day, our side of

the Earth has been tilting on its axis back toward the sun. On

the Summer Solstice, the sun has reached its peak.


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The natural forces that are driving the plants in your garden to

grow their lush flowers & vegetables are also present in your

life. They're fueling you, supporting & encouraging you, to grow

your own precious fruit, to realize the dreams you envisioned for

this year.


The arrival of summer coincides with the perfect time to expand

your awareness and your inner fire because we're moving away

from a difficult, constricted, contracted year.  When awareness

contracts, we feel less optimistic and see fewer opportunities.

Expanded awareness is open to new possibilities and flowing

toward realizing your full potential--remembering your

Wholeness.


We are ½ way through the year. The Solstice finds us bringing

things all the way through to completion and setting the stage

for the next cycle of change. So, as we complete the first half of

the Great Mandala cycle, what might you do to bring yourself all

the way through the cycle with a sense of clarity, fulfillment, and

alignment with the intentions you set in January? What happens

if you take yourself back in your awareness to the beginning of

the cycle at Winter Solstice, in the dark and deep of Silence?

What did you think you would have done by now? What might

you have envisioned for yourself then?  What plans are still on

hold? What is taking up space that needs to move? That needs

to go? As you enter summertime, ask yourself, what are am I

ready to release?


A question that has been on my mind a lot lately is, "How do I

expand my awareness, my inner fire, my light, so that I'm

realizing my vision and remembering my Wholeness as a travel

along the path toward Oneness? How can I use this incredible

influx of energy right now? Where do I want to direct the sun's

powerful fire?



This is a great time to listen to your intuition and then proceed

with the intention of manifesting your vision for this year. Make

the most of this opportunity to co-create wholeness in body,

mind and spirit! You have the power within you to do this.


In previous posts this year, we explored expanding awareness

and remembering Wholeness on the Pathway to Oneness,  in

Silence, Reflection, Awakening, Courage, and Exploration. Each

month up to this point has led to the question:


What lights you up?  What brings a smile to your face, expands

your awareness, makes you lean forward and ready to go, and

ignites your inner fire so that you shine your brightest?


What do you really need to do in order to experience a sense of

fulfillment, but more importantly: Who do you choose to be for

yourself and with yourself so that you:  



    >Feel joy as you focus on creating a healthy, happy,

      and whole life.


    >Feel empowered as you move into summer. Feel lit up

      about your life.


    >Feel strong, and fiercely rooted in your life as you move

      toward Oneness in the second half of the year.


    >Feel confident in yourself & the power of your inner fire

      so that you can shine your brightest.

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And one day she discovered that she was fierce,
and strong, and full of fire,
and that not even she could hold herself back
because her passion burned
brighter than her fears.

                                                                              Mark Anthony


Living a "lit life"


According to Micah Blacklight, the “lighting up” can come from

within or without. Internally, we may get sparked by a thought,

feeling, memory or energy state. Externally, we might connect

with a person, place, event or thing--including the natural world.


Expressing yourself joyfully, creatively, lovingly, with care and

kindness can also light you up. Whatever you most value in

yourself,  your connection to Oneness, is the source of

expanding your inner light. Give yourself permission to shine

your brightest, to be more expressive while the fiery energy of

summer is at its peak.


These are a few examples of a "lit life":


1. Finding projects, feelings, and activities that give you

energy and enthusiasm and gets you moving, ready to go

each day.


2. Feeling inspired to follow your heart so that you go in the

direction you most want to go while becoming the person

you want to be.


3. Hearing the music of your soul's passion and calling that

infuses life with wonder, magic, light and creativity.


4. Staying aware and present in the moment and giving

attention to what matters to you.



This is the perfect time to live your lit life. Give yourself

permission to be more expansive; let your ideas flow more

freely; let you light shine.


The Paradox of Fiery Energy and Being Gentle

You can’t rip the skin off a snake.
When it’s time, the snake sheds its skin.

                                                                           Baba Hari Dass
Now, here's the paradox: This Solstice is unique. We're just

emerging from a months long "cacooning". I think that if we try

to push ourselves into high gear right now, and it doesn't feel

congruent with how we feel, all of the insights, wisdom, and

energy shifts we experienced during the many, many months of

lock-down may be lost. This is clearly a time to go gently, as we

go through this "birthing", out into the world of deeper

connection and interaction with each other, into more complex

interconnectedness, and moving toward Oneness.


I've found that force almost always brings a backlash.


So how can we stay present to what is most deeply true in us,

experience the fiery energy of summer, and at the same time,

go gently?


Whenever the seasons change, particularly at the soltices,  it’s

like riding a giant wave of creative power. I’m filled with

inspiration, energy and excitement.


Then...whoosh...the energy changes.


Over the years I learned that each season is very much like a

birth and it’s essential for my emotional well-being that I create a

little time to allow the gems of wisdom to integrate around my

experience. And it’s only when I don’t give myself time to

integrate that I start to feel off.


I've noticed that it’s common for creative visionaries to be

constantly looking out toward the next horizon. It’s also very

common for healers and sensitive types to be tending to others

without giving yourself the time you need to listen deeply to your

inner voice.


When you're on a creative, spiritual journey, you’re always going

to be stretching into new creative territory...AND it’s important to

mine the wisdom and lessons of each experience.


Life seems to be flowing so fast these days. Wherever you are

today offer yourself a moment to sit quietly, acknowledge any

pains or hurts present at this time, the constriction you might be

feeling, and bathe your cells and your entire being in light to

ignite your season ahead.


Give yourself the gift of time.


Stay sensitive to that part of yourself that may not be ready to

keep up with the rush toward change that comes with Summer

Solstice energy.


Give yourself space to feel, understand and articulate what

you’ve just been through in the past few months and what

you've accomplished. Journal, meditate, rest, practice the

20-5-3 rule for reducing stress, and feeling healthier and

happier.


When you're ready, invest the time and intention to integrate the

Summer Solstice fiery energy:



1. Express gratitude for your inner fire, that part of

yourself that is fierce and powerful. What has it helped you

co-create and manifest during the first half of this year's

cycle?


2. The sun is at its peak. What have accomplished

recently that you're proud of?


3. Summer Solstice includes completion, letting go.

What has come to completion in your life?  Honor yourself

and what has been healed or transformed in you.




Co-Creative Mandala Oracle Reading


I've co-created a Summer Solstice Co-Creative Mandalas

Oracle Card spread to help you connect with your inner light, 

gain insight into your deeper thoughts & feelings, and gently

align your energy with the seasonal energy.


The mandalas, messages, and affirmations support your

understanding of where to direct your energy so you get the

most impact from summer's powerful, fiery energy.



Picture
Throat Chakra:

Self Expression


Use your power to fiercely and

fully express yourself. Now is

the time to stand up for yourself

and shine brightly.


Affirmation:

I trust myself and honor my

inner voice. I am free to lovingly

express myself in all ways and

let my light shine.


Picture
Wisdom

This is the time for sharing your

wisdom. You have so much love to

give. Take a leap of faith and have

the courage to fulfill your destiny

for bringing blessings to you and

to the world.


Affirmation:

I am open to Wisdom. I feel deep

joy and peace about myself and

my life. I am open to living my life

purpose.


Picture
Abundance

You have planted the seeds

of abundance and now the

universe is blessing you.

Open your heart, open your

arms, open your mind. You

are about to receive.


Affirmation:

Abundance blooms all around

me and radiates through me. I

see blessings everywhere

and in everything.


Contact me if you'd like to receive a PDF of the reading and

journal prompts.



Your power to shine brightly, to radiate your inner fire comes to

life beginning with Summer Solstice. This is a time to lift and

expand energy levels.  This Co-Creative Mandala, "Expansion",

from photographs of sunflower (symbol of lifting energy)  and

gailardia (symbol of joy) remind us to remember how wonderful

it feels to be happy, to be open to joy. Your work right now is to

welcome and appreciate your radiant light and remember you're

shining as brightly as the sun. Welcome this expansive season

of abundance and creativity.

Picture
Whatever you decide to do, make sure it
makes you happy.

                                                                                 Paulo Coelho

Expansion (What Lights You Up) Exercise:


In this simple, yet powerful exercise, I invite you to celebrate

"Expansion" and feel supported by your inner and outer

resources.  Honor this powerful time of completion and

preparation for the next cycle.


Intention:



This is a special opportunity to reflect on the fiery energy,

within you and as it's reflected in nature.
It may be easy to

connect and get lit up— or it may be difficult getting started. 

Maybe you are in a tough place, dealing with stress, loss, or

lack of meaning.
Or, you might already feel lit up. You still can

use this exercise to be calm and alert, focusing on what you

desire and in the moment.  As you discover or reflect on what

lights up your life, you will see more "Expansion" in your life.




Give yourself plenty of time without interruptions to dive

deeply into this exercise. Meditate, journal, create and bless   

your sacred space.


Make this exercise your own. Invest your time and attention.


Don’t rush.
 

As you sit quietly in your space, light a candle that welcomes

"Expansion" energy.



In a moment, when you are done reading through the

instructions, write everything that the Co-Creative

Mandala-"Expansion" makes you think of. Write how you feel

when you look at it. Write about what the associated chakras

represent (root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, and crown)

and how that might be applicable to your journey toward

Oneness this year.



Close your eyes. Bring your awareness to your breath; just be

with your breath. Take a deep breath in. Breathe out. Take

another deep breath in. Breathe out. Notice the sensations as

you exhale—without judgement.  Feel the body breathing. Bring

your body into stillness.


Open your eyes and bring your attention to the "Expansion"

mandala; allow the mandala energy to fill your heart; be with

whatever is there.


Invest a few minutes toward allowing the "Expansion" energy to

flow to and through your body.  Imagine that energy bursting

through your crown chakra and extending far into the heavens.


Imagine the "Expansion" energy flowing through you and down

deep into the earth. Imagine it radiating from your heart and

extending out in front of you and behind you. Imagine the

"Expansion" energy is a radiant ball that encircles you.


Now, sit with this energy for a few minutes.

 
What about the "Expansion" mandala captures your attention?


Notice and Wonder--Something in me is feeling...


I wonder what it wants me to know?
 

Relax into your body and its quietness. Be with the energy, be

present, listen.



Here's the exercise:


Enjoy this exploration as you think about whatever expands

your heart and feels joyful for you. You likely have already been

thinking of your dreams and vision for this year.  Finding and

expanding ways to embody a space that lights you up serves

yourself and others.


Thinking about what dreams you want to realize in the coming

weeks, what lights you up?
Whatever your dreams are—and

whether they’re big or small—take this one step toward bringing

them to life.



The phrase “what lights you up” contains so many wonderful

elements. Let’s explore your treasures and use them to create

an extraordinarily fulfilling life.


Get our your journal or pen and paper and write a list of

everything that lights you up--that energizes you and gets you

out of bed every morning; that brings a smile to your face, that

makes you feel happy. 


Here are some examples to get you started:


     >Being with people you like and love

     >Learning (reading, media, podcasts, researching)

     >Traveling

     >Being creative (artwork, music, writing, filming, teaching

       classes)

     >Hobbies

     >Spiritual inner work; meditation, mindfulness, retreats,

       nature walks

 
Use your list as a reference going forward.


Just like the Earth's powerful sun, we each have our own inner

fire that nourishes our visions and dreams. Without it, just like in

nature without the sun, our dreams will die.


Summer's sun reminds us to celebrate our inner fire and to let

our light shine brightly.


By honoring your light, your world lights up.Your lit-up energy

can boost and supercharge your life. It gives you energy,

inspiration, purpose and focus.



Wishing you a lit life and happy, dancing feet!
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    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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