Co-Creative Mentoring LLC Sheryl Harrell, MAA.B.S., EFT Cert.
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How Are You Protecting and Nurturing Yourself?

8/31/2021

 
Every time you make a commitment to your own self-care, self-love and self-respect and then follow through, you build trust in yourself.       
                                                                           Miranda J. Barrett

I hope you are well and thriving.


It’s a beautiful, hot, late summer day here in the foothills of Fort

Collins, CO. The gardens are overflowing with an abundance of

flowers and veggies and the bees and butterflies are daily

visitors (along with grasshoppers, but that's a whole 'nother

story). Like me, you may notice that your essential rhythm is

shifting with the seasonal changes. Despite the hot days still

ahead, the energy of the sun has shifted. The days are getting

noticeably shorter. We are beginning to see signs of the Great

Mandala turning toward autumn. The first of the leaves are

turning yellow, the skies are azure blue, and the nights are cool. 

Do you recall, "back in the day", when students usually wrote a

short essay entitled, “What I did for summer vacation.”


I feel like I've been on vacation for a few months. Sometimes,

not in a good way.


Have you noticed all the ways that the world is changing (not

only the natural world)? It's hard to miss, right? From the way

we learn (and teach)… to the way we work (and the KIND of

work we do)… to the way we connect, communicate, and

collaborate with each other… in so many ways, life is very

different from how it was just a few short months ago!


I know. Me too. Sometimes, I just need to stop and take a deep

breath.


When our minds try to comprehend (that's what minds are wired

to do) the changes, challenges and suffering in our world today

it can shut us down, or close us off from life force energy.

There's a paradox here, a contradiction: We want to stay awake

to it AND, IT, is so much to hold. And even though we try to,

we're not meant to hold it all. For a lot of reasons, sometimes

we try because we think that that is what makes us a part of the

whole, or maybe makes us a “good” person who is always

available to help and support others, who never says no.


It's important to recognize that you can be awake to the

suffering but that you don’t have to carry the weight of it on your

shoulders. For many of us that's a difficult ask: Stay open

hearted and at the same time don't get overwhelmed.


This is not about me (or you) doing it all, taking it all on; it's not

about any one individual. Damn. Here is another place where

we may experience a multitude of seemingly conflicted truths.

I'm my own being with a unique experience of our world right

now. AND I am profoundly connected to the whole, perhaps in

ways that my human understanding is unable to comprehend.

Yet.

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In the meantime, it’s never been more clear that our world

needs people with greater sensitivity, compassion, and a sense

of connection to each other and the natural world.  Yes, the

world needs us,  people who are grounded and stand firmly in

their sovereignty. And, in order to respond to that need, we

must understand ourselves on a deep level.




Are You an Empath, a Highly Sensitive Person, or a

Combination?



Have you been told (or discovered on your own) that you’re a

really good listener, have a big heart,  are passionate, caring,

creative, in touch with your emotions, see the "big picture",  and

easily see where others are coming from? You may already

know these are the gifts of an empath and/or a highly sensitive

person (HSP). Dr. Judith Orloff, author of "The Empath’s

Survival Guide", is one of the leading experts of empathetic

personality types gives an 
overview of the distinction

between empaths and HSPs
 
Check out her 20 question

Are You an Empath quiz
,
too.



Whether you're an empath or an HSP or a deeply caring

person,  many of us agree that there are both pros and cons to

being exceptionally sensitive. On one hand, we tend to be great

friends and partners,  generous, and reliable. On the other

hand, we are often described as “emotional sponges” and

people who “take on the pain of others at their own expense,”

meaning they can easily become upset or overwhelmed by their

emotions and environments.


If you've noticed that you're highly sensitive or an empath,

you've likely developed many effective strategies to deal with

the inherent challenges that come with exceptional sensitivity.

Like you, I use those strategies in daily life as well as with

clients. For me to thrive as a well-being coach, I need these

strategies to protect myself from sensory overload or burn out.


I believe pursuing self-mastery along with spiritual, physical and

emotional well-being are two of the most valuable investments

we can make in our lifetime. It’s a tremendous gift to be either

an empath or an HSP and we don't want to close ourselves off

from these gifts—but if we haven’t learned to regulate our gifts

and set strong boundaries, the energy we absorb from others

can lead to emotional and physical dis-ease. While being very

attuned to others and your environment can be beneficial in

many ways, it’s also important to protect ourselves from

overwhelm and self-criticism.


Even with the strategies you're using, do you struggle with

absorbing the stress and the suffering you see (and feel) all

over the world?


How can we ground ourselves, set boundaries, and hold space

for others in a healthy way?

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Tips For Protection and Self-Care


Here are  three self-care practices that protect you from

overwhelm, without resorting to self-numbing, overeating, or

addiction, from our friends at Lorian Education and
Dr. Orloff


1. Honor the Losses

First, we need to give ourselves time to acknowledge the losses

we're experiencing— the way the world used to be, separation,

the loss of safety and security, fears of what might happen.


While it's important to be in tune with the grief that others feel,

it's just as vital that we steady our own energy fields with our

daily practices and by seeking out support from friends and/or

health and well-being practitioners.  Check out the services that

my friend and colleague Bonnie Thompson offers.


Remember, the death of the old, contains the seeds of new

beginning. This time of year – the dying plants turn into seeds

for next year’s growth.


2. Set boundaries and stick to them--
Practice Sacred

Selfishness



For empaths and HSPs, it's hard to set boundaries. And, we

need to set boundaries. Without them you're not going to be

available and present. Sensory overload isn't good for anyone.


Remember:

You're not selfish if you want to be happy.

You're not selfish if you want time to yourself.

You're not selfish if you don’t want to give up yourself to take

care of others.



Tune into your intuition and give yourself permission to:


Be clear about your boundaries: Who are the people you

want to be around? What works best for you in a variety of

situations?

Remember, it's not necessary to always be open.


Say NO=no isn't a 4 letter word. AND, you're not selfish if you

need to say no in order to honor your needs.


Get comfortable with not solving others’ problems. It's a

process. This takes time. Give yourself some grace and be

patient with yourself.


Sacred Selfishness creates harmony, raises your frequency and gives others the dignity of their own process... (by)teaching them that they are competent and do not need to be rescued.
                                                                    Cynthia James


3. Carve out enough alone time to rest, rejuvenate,

recharge:


For better or worse, empaths and HSPs are tuned into the

people and environments around them. This is why making time

to unwind, ideally alone and in nature, is a great strategy for

restoring your energy and relaxing. When you practice self-care

techniques throughout the day you're holding sacred space

while not taking on all the stress and suffering, you're holding

the light without taking on the toxic energies.


When an environment feels hectic and overwhelming, practice

self-care and step away from it for at least a few minutes to

clear your thoughts and your energy field before returning.


The most restorative environments tend to be those with few

people and no noise, bright lights, phone calls, texts, emails,

internet, television or conversations.


The healing power of nature is a source of replenishment. "Go

into nature" whenever possible as a means of coming into and

sustaining your power as an empath/HSP.


Connectivity with nature creates a map for moving forward

toward a greater sense of community, toward a vision of what it

means to be connected energetically as a global, planetary

family. It's a way of knowing we are all connected--the Earth,

humans, plants, forests, the Universe--the great love that

nurtures, sustains, and surrounds us. These past few months

have offered a way for humanity to learn that we're all

connected, we're guardians of the Earth, we are co-creators.

We need each other!


Also, practice mindfulness, self-awareness, and self-

compassion to quieten the inner critic and clear limiting beliefs.

Practices that support making those shifts include EFT/Tapping

and HeartMath.


Each of us can make a difference.


The time is now — and our help is needed to act with love and

compassion, in calm and steadiness, in alliance with each other

and with our seen and unseen co-creative partners.  How we

stand with what is happening individually and collectively during

this turbulent time will make a difference for each of us

individually, and just as important, it will determine how

humanity’s relationship with Earth proceeds.  That is big!  This is

not just "the News," it is important work.  


We have the knowing and the tools for this job.  We are the

ones we've been waiting for. We have an exceptional capacity

to sense subtle energy, connect to and align with the natural

world and tune in to  interconnectedness--to Wholeness.



This Co-Creative Mandala "Protection" from a photo of yucca

flowers (symbols of protection)  reminds us of the importance of

self-care. During turbulent times it may be more difficult to invest

time and energy toward our needs or for protecting ourselves

from being overwhelmed by all the energy coming into our field.

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Take the space and time you need to nurture your body and spirit. Focus on self-care--
you deserve it!

Protection Exercise:

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

"Protection" and feel supported by your inner and outer

resources.  Honor this powerful time of change and uncertainty.


Intention:


We are moving into autumn. You've protected and nurtured what

you planted in the spring. You didn't just toss seeds in the dirt

and expect to come back to an abundant harvest. The seeds

you planted required loving care in order to truly blossom. When

you tend your garden well–if you protect and nurture what you

plant in your life (and in your garden)–you will experience

expansive growth and bountiful harvests.


Noticing the inner and outer effects of seasonal changes tunes

in to your inner wisdom and your "essential rhythm".


Are there times during the seasons when you experience a

deep, slow pace? Are there points in the seasons when you

move more quickly? Need more rest? Feel more energetic?

Being mindful of the changing seasons and how the changes

show up in your life cultivates self-awareness throughout the

year.


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

toward your personal growth and well-being.


Don’t rush.


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

the "Protection" vibration.


In a moment, when you are done reading through the

instructions, write everything that the Co-Creative

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

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

represent (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 "Protection"

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

whatever is there.


Invest a few minutes toward allowing the "Protection" vibration

to flow to and through your body.  Imagine that energy bursting

through your crown chakra and extending far into the heavens.


Imagine the "Protection" vibration 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

"Protection" vibration is a radiant ball that encircles you.


Now, sit with this energy for a few minutes.


What about the "Protection" mandala captures your attention?


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


I wonder what it wants me to know, to discover?


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

present, listen.


Here's the exercise:


I’m inviting you to tune in to your inner wisdom and set the

intention of connecting with your own "essential rhythm".


There might be some layers that you get to clear as you go

within - including all the times you have overridden your own

rhythm and when it hasn’t been respected or honored by others.


You get to reclaim your own rhythm in this moment.


The best protection you have is heart-centered.  




>Close your eyes, breathe, slowly, feel your body relaxing,

breathe in, exhale stress, tension anything you might have

taken on that's not yours; give yourself permission to let go,

surrender, trust yourself.


~Breathe in your wholeness, breath out what isn't you;


*Place your hand on your heart--offer yourself unconditional

love, peace, calm, and compassion.


>Come you back to your loving heart where you are safe,

protected, and fully yourself.


~Offer yourself loving kindness, warmth, connectedness, come

home within your heart.


*Allow that warmth and kindness you're offering, to expand in

your heart, without forcing or efforting.


>Allow the gifts of your loving heart to replenish yourself,

reminding you of what is most important=your loving self, your

Wholeness.



You can return to the inner refuge where you are safe and

protected anytime you like.



Now, get our your journal or pen and paper and reflect on the

following questions:


From the place of refuge and safety, the questions you might

ask yourself:


1.  "What can I do to apply these protection and self-care tips in

my daily life?"


2  "What needs to change and emerge that supports inner and

outer connections"?


3. "How can I integrate and ground the understanding that

comes from my daily practices so that I can be fully present in

the world"?


4. "How can I use these insights to bring calmness to a turbulent

world"?



The best spiritual protection comes from being fully embodied

and approaching the world with curiosity and compassion.


Safety and freedom rest in being our sovereign, true selves.


Many teachers and wise ones are saying that empaths and

HSPs are on the forefront of a new way of being for humankind.


We have exceptional attunement to the natural world and a

great capacity for spiritual awakening. Our gifts are precious,

especially at this time of human evolution. Those gifts are the

source of our purpose--to keep opening our hearts and do our

part to bring more love, light, and compassion to the world.


Our gifts are needed so much today.


Peace and joy to your loving heart,


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    Author

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