Co-Creative Mentoring LLC Sheryl Harrell, MAA.B.S., EFT Cert.
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Are You in Tune with Life's Natural Rhythms?

1/18/2022

 
Solitude isn’t loneliness. Solitude is when the entire serene universe seems to surround and hold you quietly.
                                               Victoria Erickson--"Edge of Wonder"

We've just passed Week 2, of 2022. How are you?? I hope your

New Year is off to a good start!  I trust you’re still feeling the

hope and potential a new year holds. I wish you and your loved

ones the very best in this next turn of the Great Mandala.  May

you receive all you need to navigate the times we are living -

may you find ease, joy, and grace in the midst of all of it!


During these first weeks of 2022, I can’t help but ponder the

miraculous possibilities that the future holds.


With hope and positivity in my heart, I'm inspired as I reflect on

the challenges, blessings, fears, and triumphs of the last two

years. Like many of you, my life has also taken a labyrinth of

twists and turns, but by grace, the wisdom and truth of life has

always been near. When I remembered, I noticed that the inner

and outer resources were readily accessible. Now, more than

ever, I realize what a gift remembering is! The inspirations,

wisdom, and insights, were right at my fingertips! What a

blessing to be able to make spiritual connections, so that every

day I build my capacity to remember Wholeness-individually and

collectively AND be engaged in the process of awakening!


I’m reminded again that there is nothing like the blessings of

nature that come with the cycles of the seasons to keep things

flowing.


For some of us, this is the winter season. And, for some of us,

we're experiencing a metaphorical winter. Both are marked by

contrast, by a feeling of constriction.


At this time of year, in the northern hemisphere, I'm reminded of

Victoria Erickson's words in Rhythms and Roads:

So many feel lethargic , unmotivated , or worn out in this hemisphere.
We are really not made to rocket straight  through Winter, ablaze with energy .
Look at nature .
The ground, the plants, the animals are deep at rest .
This is the natural way of things .
Spend some time with the long nights, the moon, solitude, the bare earth, stillness .
Be easier on yourself.


Nature's natural rhythms orchestrate daylight and nighttime,

when seeds lay dormant and when flowers bloom. These

energetic rhythms turn green leaves to bright red, gold, and

orange. We human beings (and all beings) are attuned to this

"universal sense of timing". Our physical, mental and behavioral

changes are guided by the
24-hour Circadian Rhythms cycle.


Because of these internal and external rhythms, we intuitively

and instinctively know when it is time to stop working, when to

rest, eat, or be active.


We can override those rhythms and use our energy and place

our attention on pursuits that are out of alignment with our own 

and nature's rhythms. Not listening to our mind, body, and spirit

and not paying attention to what's happening in nature

diminishes our ability to renew and recharge. When we're out of

alignment with life's rhythms, we feel like a weary traveler who is

experiencing jet lag.This is the time to  breathe deeply  and look

at nature moving to its own organic timing. A walk in nature can

attune to us her organic rhythm, while allowing us to re-align our

own. When we move to our natural rhythm, this
raises our

vibration so that we notice Wholeness within and in our world.


so we can achieve all we choose to do with less effort.


Our best guide is to listen to and move with our own internal

timing, while partnering with the rhythms of nature.


During 2022, we're offering you 12 gifts, opportunities to

connect with nature, the natural rhythms, and your inspired life.


Every day, each month, and at each turn of the season, we

have created a Co-Creative Mandala that represents what’s

happening in nature at that time. Each Co-Creative Mandala

offers a vibration and message that connects you to the

changes in nature that affect your life – physically, emotionally,

mentally, and spiritually.



In this monthly blog, you'll find a Co-Creative Mandala that

supports tuning into what’s happening in nature each month by

mindfully connecting to the seasons and your inner life. The

"mandalas within a mandala" offer an exploration of the changes

in nature and the way those changes affect you. Each day

throughout the year is an invitation for self-reflection, for

journaling, for noticing the ways that the energy and vibration of

the seasons affect you.  This is a sacred, thoughtful, journey

toward aligning your inner and outer resources with the vibration

of Unity.   When you gently gaze on each mandala, the

image becomes a portal for remembering and awakening to

your true nature.


We invite you to invest in yourself by connecting to the 12 gifts

found within each Co-Creative Mandala--a you explore a

pathway that allows Unity to emerge.

Picture
Solitude is the first of the 12 gifts that support the pathway of

Unity, the Co-Creative Mandala vibration for 2022. 
Being able

to sit alone with your thoughts, feelings and body sensations is

a skill that takes time to master. We often reach for our phones

to distract ourselves, or rely on external stimulation to avoid

engaging in self-reflection. Solitude is the first step toward

awakening to Unity.
Unity isn't a goal or a destination. It's the

reality of life. Nothing exists independently. No single

component is more important than another. Mindfulness, the

realization of the effect of our actions and appreciation of the

present moment, is the practice of  remembering Unity. "Unity is

complete enlightenment, the spontaneous, uncontrived ability to

look at nature and the entire creation from the perspective of

Wholeness.” Tony Nader.


During our journey around the Great Mandala in 2022, with

each passing season and in harmony with the cycles of nature,

I'll be sharing insights, resources, and sacred practices that

support the 12 gifts--one for each monthly, seasonal Co-

Creative Mandala--as we awaken to Unity.


These 12 gifts include:



1. January: Solitude (finding the stillness at the center of your

heart)

2. February: Vision (envisioning limitless possibilities)

3. March: Blossoming (discovering what is emerging)

4. April: Coherence (feeling the connection within and with

others)

5. May: Sensitivity (appreciating your divine gifts)

6. June: Oneness (letting go of feeling separate)

7. July: Goodness (suspending your inner critic)

8. August: Serendipity (seeing the wonder in everything)

9. September: Luminosity (accepting your brilliance)

10. October: Persistence (surrendering to the mystery)

11. November: Optimism (choosing your life story)

12. December: Contentment (pausing and appreciating grace-

filled completion)



This 12-month cycle is a journey through the seasons that

begins and ends with winter.  Winter is all about contrast--both

the literal winter and the metaphorical winter we experience in

our human experience. Incorporating consistent daily practices

supports renewal and gives you the opportunity to bring

awareness to the present and find the flow in your natural

rhythms more easily and gracefully.


Ebb and flow is a natural part of all life.



If the entire cycle of the Great Mandala took place in one 24-

hour period, this time of year would be ~1am.


What are you usually doing at 1am? What does your spirit crave

at 1am? That's when the mind, body, and spirit seek deep,

delicious sleep, stillness. and solitude.


This is a time in the cycles of nature for absolute non-striving.

There’s no ‘DO’ing at 1am. Can you give yourself permission to

do nothing? To do things that don’t feel ‘productive’, but instead

feel restful and nurturing? Can you be easier on yourself?


Instead of crossing off To Do’s, can you sit and read a book??

How about soaking in a bath? Or enjoying a nap?!!


This applies to your personal and spiritual ‘work’ as well. No

striving or pushing there either.


In our 24-hour metaphor, that means most of the time from the

Winter Solstice to Spring Equinox may be spent in deep sleep.

Remember, part of the night (metaphorically, too) you’ll cycle

through REM sleep and feel inspired to journal, or do some

other activity that connects you with your deeper self and your

creativity.


Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, M.D., a physician, researcher, and

author of the book Sacred Rest reframes what respite truly

means. Sleep, she says, is but one of many forms of rest. To

experience restorative sleep, we need to pay attention to all the

other forms of rest during the day.


“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”

Annie Dillard


In order to do that, consider adopting daily, consistent practices

in the following Four Containers in which you can enjoy the

benefits of Solitude as you practice Sacred Rest.




Four Containers of Sacred Rest: (adapted from a practice

by
Homaira Kabir)



1. Physical Rest: Including napping and sleeping. Turning the

volume down on sensory input. Intentionally disconnect every

few hours. Close your eyes, put on soothing sounds, and give

your senses a break. How do you rest your body?


2. Mental Rest: Quiet your chattering mind. Create lists where

you dump all your thoughts and tasks onto. What ways do you

integrate silence?


3. Emotional Rest:  Body scan meditations  are really helpful,

where you shine the light of your awareness on different parts of

your body to undo tension, and to understand what your

emotions may be asking of you. This is a really powerful time to

embrace a simple meditation practice. Can you give yourself 5

minutes a day to meditate? 2 minutes? Every other day? "In

meditation, all borders, boundaries, and separation between

ourselves and the universe begin to disappear. We begin to

realize the inherent oneness of all beings and all of creation."

H.H. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji


4. Spiritual Rest: The sources of spiritual rest vary depending

on our beliefs and what we find uplifting. For some of us, it

comes from religion and prayer. For others, it comes from song,

dance, walking in nature, or pursuing a passion. It’s anything

that makes us feel part of something larger than ourselves.

What nourishes you spiritually?



Remember,  Solitude means you have choices about when

and how you invest your time and intention toward integrating

rest into your daily life. One day, you may focus on Physical

Rest, the next day on Spiritual Rest. You decide...Create days

and design your life with joy and ease, while building resilience

along the way. Embrace a kind and loving relationship with

yourself.


I can’t guarantee that any of these strategies will give you a

quick fix. But what I can say from my personal experience that

investing time, energy, and intention toward creating moments

of Solitude and nurturing all four containers of rest is that not

only is my sleep far more restful, but I also feel transformed as a

person. I’m far more present with the people I love.  My focus

and creativity have never been better. And I feel a sense of

belonging with the world that makes me deeply grateful to be

alive.


The Co-Creative Mandala below, "Solitude" from a photo of blue

spruce (symbolizes darkness and peace) and snow (symbolizes

stillness) reminds us to tap into our inner resources, to practice

Sacred Rest.  It's the perfect mandala for beginning our annual

journey around the sun and invites us to intentionally find

solitary, quiet time to just be. Solitude is an important part of our

self-care practices as we take refuge in a space that is both

beautiful and peaceful.

Picture
Create moments of Solitude anywhere and
at any time you choose.


Solitude "non-doing" sacred practice.


Intention:

The real power of the exercise is the intention you place behind

it. This is the time of rest...for mind, body, and spirit. Our day

can include self-care as a whole while directing healing energy

where it is needed most.  Start your day by setting the intention

that you are dedicating this time to self-care, to remembering

Wholeness by awakening to Unity.  It's up to you to decide what

you need to do to cultivate self-care in your life. For some, it

may be time spent in reflection. Others will turn to calming

activities that help them remember their purpose, such as

journal writing, being in nature, or studying. Your self-care can

take a more direct form as you use the Solitude mandala to

balance and ground yourself.  


Choose what you need to create sacred space: Flowers,

candlelight, incense, and music can guide your focus toward a

more tranquil state. You may choose to listen to music through

headphones since tuning out can help you tune in to Solitude.


Before you begin the practice:


First, invest some time reflecting on the winter energy and its

invitation to rest, dream, and be. You may choose to simply

reflect or you may choose to write in your journal. How will you

allow yourself to rest in the fertile darkness and Solitude this

Winter? How will you nurture yourself? How will you practice

self-care and self-compassion?


Now,  the "non-doing" practice:



1. Take a few deep breaths to ground and center. Take your

time here. Don’t rush. Take several deep breaths and use any

grounding technique that works for you.


If you choose you can imagine a root extending from the base of

your spine and growing deep into the Earth. Invest a few

minutes feeling the Earth energy traveling up your root, through

your body and all your chakras. Imagine that energy bursting

through your crown chakra and extending far into the heavens.

Feel the Source energy entering your body through your crown

chakra and surrounding you.


Sit here for a few minutes, feel yourself connected to Source.


2.  Allow your gaze to fall on the Solitude mandala. What do

you notice about the mandala? What draws your attention? How

does its energy feel in your body? Just notice and wonder...I

wonder what the Solitude mandala wants me to know? Feel its

vibration. Allow the Solitude vibration to flow to and through

your body, bringing you calmness and peace.


There's nothing you need to do...just be. Be with the mandala

vibration. Be with your thoughts, your feelings, the sensations in

your body. There's no right way or wrong way to be. Just follow

where your heart leads you...Locate the stillness at the center of

your heart and accept the gifts that Sacred Rest brings.

Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.
                                                                                Carl Jung
I hope in your journey around the Great Mandala toward Unity

you find the happiness you deserve. And I hope you learn to

find yourself. To trust yourself. To feel and follow your heart. I

hope everything you ever dreamed of finds you--in the sweetest

and warmest way.


Peace and joy to your seeking heart,
Picture

Are You Listening to the Sounds of Silence?

1/20/2021

 
Allow nature to teach you stillness.
                                                                                    Eckhart Tolle
Here's to another year of exploring our inner beauty, the

connection we have with each other, and our connection to

nature.



Full disclosure: I started writing this blog at the end of 2020. As

sometimes happens, I just wasn't ready to finish writing even

though I had a lighthearted newsletter sketched in my mind

about welcoming 2021 with purpose and intention. Which, BTW,

I believe is a wonderful way to begin each moment, day, week,

month, or year.


But, an unseen--yet felt--force held me back. As the first days of

the New Year slipped by, the reason for my hesitation revealed

itself. January 6th happened.  I wondered how I could possibly

not address what occurred on that day in our nation’s capitol?

Maybe like you, I felt it before it happened and now I'm still

processing it – cognitively and emotionally and spiritually – and I

imagine that I will be for some time to come.


Frankly, I'm walking a tightrope. In the past, I've made best

efforts at writing about ways we can remember our wholeness

by intentionally putting our attention on our inner life (including

ALL of our feelings), cultivating love and compassion for

ourselves and others,  and appreciating the ways that the

natural cycles support our evolution of consciousness.  At the

same time, I understand that everything and everyone is

connected and collective consciousness impacts our lives in

seen and unseen ways.  I've done my best to live my intention

to be loving, tolerant, and compassionate--toward myself and

others.


Lately, I've noticed how challenging that is.  



That's when I lean into practices that are so crucial for my self

growth.  


I have both "formal" practices (meditation and chanting) that I

do twice a day. And, "informal" techniques (EFT/Tapping,


HeartMath, and Metta Meditation)  that I use when I forget

love's presence and experience the difficult emotions when "life

happens".



When I do any of these practices I notice in the midst of all that's

happening, and while I'm experiencing "those" feelings (and the

"shoulds" and "shouldn'ts"),  just how quickly the critical voice

softens.  When I accept the feelings (and myself for having

them), I feel more stable, feel less volatile, my mood improves,

and I'm more willing to accept others and to accept what is. If

there's ever been a time when loving and accepting ourselves

and others is needed, it's now.



What practices are you discovering or re-discovering for

remembering that you are safe, whole, complete, loving and

lovable?


There may be many difficult weeks and months ahead, but I can

see the light at the end of the tunnel--and it's not the train

coming toward me. I can’t help but feel the New Year is

vibrating with the potential for individual and collective change.



I recently read the following and felt comforted by the reminders
:

3 Timeless Truths For The New Year


1. Every challenge can be an opportunity for growth and self- 

    discovery. Stay curious.

2. Sometimes, it’s necessary to release what one has to make

    way for something better and brighter.  Use your creative

    force for relishing the experience of softening and letting go.

3. No matter what’s going on around us, we are always

    in charge of what’s going on inside us. Align with truth and

    re-imagine the world and yourself from a space beyond fear

    and separation. You can't move forward if you're in fear. In

    many cultures the peacock is a symbol of fearlessness,

    openness and acceptance. When threatened, a peacock

    responds by showing its most marvelous beauty. Find and

    extend your most marvelous beauty.


Picture
Are you feeling a bit at odds within yourself right now? Is

part of you excited and ready to move forward with your

intentions for 2021? Does part of you want to crawl into a

cave and hibernate? All of the above? You're not alone!


This is the thing about the winter season and the New

Year (and particularly this year): We begin the year

(some of us), in the coldest, darkest time when

everything in nature is quietly resting. And, yet, we're

pulled toward getting on with our resolutions, our goals,

our intentions for the New Year (because we're SO OVER

last year!).


Meanwhile...The feminine aspect of us is

saying….wait….sit down… close your eyes….connect

inward.  Nature is quietly preparing every living thing

(including us) for the months ahead. This is the time to

create through your heart and receive.  


This is the rhythm of the universe: Day, night. In-breath,

out-breath. Wake and sleep. Traditional cultures honor

this rhythm. They set aside time to rest, time to pray, time

to heal.


Our society tends to put a premium on action, at the

expense of rest.


This is the time to rest. To rejuvenate. To invest the time

and space that you REALLY need to be still, to listen,

and appreciate Silence. Like seeds planted in nourishing

soil, your vision gathers energy from inner and outer

Silence. This is the time to trust nature's process

working through you.


Picture
Many of you know that all Co-Creative Mandalas begin with

photographs of flowers and plants we grow or see in nature. 

Every year as we're co-creating the cover for the mandala

calendar a theme emerges. Each monthly mandala reflects the

cycle of nature, and is a pathway that culminates in the "great

mandala" for the year. The theme for each year supports the

feeling AND the intention for each month. For 2020 we were

guided toward "Luminosity"--as a pathway for honoring

our inner light and the Source of everything.  Luminosity is both

our inner Light and the source of Light that uplifts and amplifies

everyone's unique path toward more joy, well-being, and peace.


The same process is true for the 2021 theme: "Oneness". 

Before the inspiration revealed itself, we hadn't thought

specifically about Oneness. As the months since that inspiration

surfaced, I've come to realize that never before in my lifetime

has it been more important to focus attention on Oneness.


Oneness is at the heart of many spiritual traditions.  One of the

most common experiences of the evolution of consciousness is

the feeling of Oneness. This state of being can be experienced

as a feeling that everything, everyone is part of a whole, we all

come from one common source. I've experienced Oneness

when enjoying a sunset over the ocean and felt the infinite

vastness of the universe, or while tending to flowers in the

garden and "time stood still". Others experience it when they

see their newborn child for the first time. Those glimpses of

Oneness are hard to describe and sustain because we live in

duality. Oneness is both an inner experience and the source of

everything.



We are individual life forms each seeking our individual

expressions. Behind this appearance of separation is the

essential nature that exists in all beings. The concept of

tapping into Oneness is a powerful tool for transforming

ourselves and our world because we remember goodness, love

and compassion--for ourselves and each other.  This is like

each cell taking care of itself, but also working in cooperation

with others, having the health of the whole system as its goal.

It is a pathway that honors individual and collective Oneness,

our Wholeness. From this perspective--we want for each other

what we want for ourselves.


It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied together into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. We are made to live together because of the interrelated structure of reality... Before you finish eating breakfast in the morning, you’ve depended on more than half the world. This is the way our universe is structured, this is its interrelated quality. We aren’t going to have peace on Earth until we recognize the basic fact of the interrelated structure of all reality.
             
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from his last Christmas sermon       
And, Depak Chopra says, "Oneness is the potential for all

sounds but is, itself silent. In every moment of existence, the

whole of creation is constantly emerging from the silence of

Oneness...When we slip into the spaces between our thoughts,

we experience Oneness".  When you meditate you access the

Silence at the source, the experience of Oneness. This is a path

by which our awareness settles to quieter levels of thinking, into

the Silence of Oneness.


Tapping into Silence is one of the keys to sustaining the clarity

and focus necessary for realizing your dreams and goals.

During meditation, you quiet your mind. Afterwards, you take

action to realize your dreams. One of my teachers described

this process as "rest and activity"--deep rest and Silence during

meditation that relieves stress from the mind, body and spirit so

that when we emerge we live our full potential.  Of course this

takes practice.



In his blog post, "What is Oneness", Roger Gabriel offers eight

simple, practical, and profound suggestions for living life in

the Silence of Oneness.



Throughout 2021, I'll be following the pathway of coming home

to Oneness that is found in our Co-Creative Mandala calendar.

Each month offers a new mandala that expresses a quality

which supports your journey toward remembering Oneness. The

mandalas in this blog may be the same as the ones found in the

calendar. Or, like this month, I've co-created a different mandala

that expresses the quality of "Silence".   



This Co-Creative Mandala--"Silence" is from a photograph of

pine, which symbolizes focus and loving kindness, and snow,

which symbolizes peace and gentleness. It reminds us of the

importance of resting, silence, being gentle and loving toward

ourselves, and allowing our vision for the year to come into

focus. It's associated with the heart, throat, and crown chakras.

It's a reminder to pause and listen and invite Divine wisdom in. It

can help you stay in touch with your inner wisdom and check in

with your higher self.


Picture
Silence is essential.
We need silence,
just as much as we need air,
just as much as plants need light.
If our minds are crowded
with words and thoughts,
there is no space for us.
                                                                        Thich Nhat Hanh
Silence Exercise:*

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

Silence and feel supported by your inner and outer

resources.  Honor this powerful time of rest, rejuvenation, and

healing.


Intention:


This is a special opportunity to connect with the stillness, the

Silence, within you, to reflect on the year just passed and

imagine what the light of the New Year holds in store. We can

dream peacefully knowing that deep within the Earth and within

our hearts, something beautiful rests and is nurtured... waiting to

be born in the Spring.



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

Silence. 



In a moment, when you are done reading through the

instructions, write everything that the Co-Creative

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

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

represent 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 Silence

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

whatever is there.


Invest a few minutes toward allowing the Silence energy to

flow to and through your body.  Imagine that energy bursting

through your crown chakra and extending far into the heavens.


Imagine the Silence 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

Silence energy is a radiant ball that encircles you.


Now, sit with this energy for a few minutes.

 
What about the Silence 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 ritual:

1. Take out a piece of paper and write a list of everything that

    you want to let go of from 2020. These can include habits,

    behaviors,
limiting beliefs, fears, physical conditions, feelings

    of resentment, conflicts, or thoughts that don't  serve you.


2. Then thank all the items on the list for having been with

     you and for all the lessons learned and ways you grew from

     them.


3. Next make a clear statement of letting go such as: "I now let

    go of all these things and anything else that no longer serves

    me and my vision and intention and they ways I want to feel

    in 2021."


4. If you have a fireplace, wood stove, etc. throw the paper in

    to be burned. If you don't have a fireplace,  CAREFULLY burn

    the list in a large stainless steel bowl or in a sink.


5. Write down and then speak out loud everything you're

    grateful for from the past year -- the joys, celebrations,

   accomplishments, lessons learned, and "growth" experiences.


6. And now it's time to call in what you'd like to bring forward

    in 2021—First, write down how you want to FEEL throughout

    this upcoming year. It's the FEELING of it all that will take you

    far. Then acknowledge everything you welcome into your 
 
    vision of the New Year--the intentions, beliefs, behaviors,  

    relationships, and everything you will embrace. Finally, speak

    out loud what you've written down.

  



As we reflect on 2020 and continue into the New Year,

appreciate of the cycles of nature.   This is the time for a pause,

a time for rest and renewal, and then we get to start anew

wherever our paths lead us.  Please take some time now to take

care of yourself.  You deserve it. Your presence is needed to

keep transforming your life and the lives of all beings.



Thank you for being on this journey. And for continuing to give

the world the gift of your best self.


Wishing you a year of health, abundance, joy, Oneness, and

remembering the light that you truly are.


Peace and joy to your seeking heart,

Picture
* Adapted from https://www.lauripointer.com/

Happy New Year:  All Great Beginnings Start in the Dark

1/1/2020

 
Blessings for the new year and new decade ahead! Going into

2020 is particularly magical and filled with new energy and

infinite potential. The transition from one year to the next is a

powerful time for setting intentions and to begin again. This is a

great opportunity to co-create new possibilities, to jump start

your self-care and healing practices, and to really get clear

about what you need and want in the coming year.  Harnessing

the power of this time takes a leap of faith, trusting that you can

make the changes that will renew your body, mind and spirit.




Do you want to start the new decade with powerful intentions

that serve your highest good? Making lasting, positive changes

takes more than just scribbling a list of resolutions in a

notebook. Change is possible, but usually things like new year

resolutions come and go. Consider investing some time toward

visualizing what you want, imagining what it feels like to be

living the life that you want, the highest vision for yourself. But

first...



2020 Hindsight


All too often we leap into the new year without clearing up

events from the past year and don't invest the time to reflect on,

appreciate, and honor All our experiences and our feelings: The

highs and lows, the ups and downs, the triumphs and mistakes.

This is the time for reflecting on the past year with gratitude.

This isn't the time for taking a "spiritual bypass". This article,

"Spiritual Gaslighting", 
challenges us to take stock of both

what felt constricted and what felt expansive about the past year

and reap the benefits of reflecting on all experiences, people,

and events with gratitude. For me, 2019 was quite a year; a

year for surrendering and letting go.  I’ve come to realize just

how important it is to invest time and attention toward honoring

the changes and challenges that shape my current reality.

Fortunately, there are three simple steps we can take for the

Reflection, Release, and Vision necessary for creating our

preferred future.

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The following Reflection exercise

is a process; take as much time

as you need. Be gentle with

yourself. Journal. Sit with a

trusted friend who will hold

sacred space and listen.


The following questions can be

helpful for getting you started:


1. What was the past year like?

2. What mistakes did I make?

3. What/who was helpful? Not helpful?


Notice and allow your feelings to emerge without judgement.

You may feel discomfort as you recall the events from the past

year. There may be events from 2019 that you'd rather not look

at or you want to keep hidden away.  That's okay. Trust yourself

and your process.




Once you’ve revisited 2019, the following Release exercise will

address any unfinished business that needs to be resolved.  


Begin by calling forth  one event, one thing, one issue. Notice

and allow your feelings. Repeat this process for clearing all the

unfinished business.



When you feel ready, begin letting go of what no longer serves

you. Just like clouds passing by, let the thoughts and feelings

that arise float by. Come back to your breath and keep

breathing.  


Ask yourself:

1. What is one thing I would have changed in 2019?

2. What did I learn?



This is an opportunity to use a modality to clear out the

constricted energy that may still linger. I've found that Emotional

Freedom Techniques-Tapping (EFT) is very helpful for creating

the space to love and accept myself and shift my perspective

about the events and circumstances. In this video
Carol Look,

EFT Master,
created a short tapping sequence for releasing

blocks associated with unfinished business.



When you give your emotions time and attention, it's possible to

move into the new year from a place of peace.



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2020 Foresight


We are what we do, how we think,

and what we believe. If I want

something to be different, I have to

change my actions, thoughts, and

beliefs.  The beginning of 2020

brings to light how the new year is

deeply embedded in our psyche as a day to make commitments

to change.  If you are familiar with the concept of
morphogenic

fields
– the habits of nature that get stronger the more they are

repeated, then you can see that there is a powerful field around

new year’s resolutions. Unfortunately, there’s also a powerful

collective conscious energy around failing to maintain those

resolutions.




In order to sustain lasting change, your intentions have to be in

alignment with your values, with your true nature. Often people

set intentions for change, based on society’s goals – their

conditioning of what they and everyone “should” aspire to.

However, if that’s not in alignment with what you truly want and

value, then you aren’t going to make the lasting changes you're

looking for.



What's going to be new and different about 2020? For me, it's a

renewed commitment to self-care and getting clearer about

what I need and want. By putting myself at the center of my day,

every day, I set the tone for the day, the month, the year, the

decade. I'm making a commitment to myself to take small,

incremental, achievable steps every day that support shifting my

energy and releasing old beliefs. 




This mandala, “Vision”, represents the energy for setting the

intentions that support making lasting changes in life. The

following exercise provides a pathway that reminds us that

we have the power to create the life we want.


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Help us ever to be

faithful gardeners of the spirit,

who know that

without darkness

nothing comes to birth,

and without light,

nothing flowers.

May Sarton

Vision Exercise:


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

your Vision 2020 and honor your intentions. You can bring forth

your vision at any time by focusing on your feelings associated

with your intentions.


Give yourself plenty of time without interruptions to dive deeply

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

sacred space for doing this exercise throughout the year.

Come back to this exercise as often as you like. You can do it

any time you feel inspired to renew your intentions for the year.


Make it your own.


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

the feelings you want to bring in to your life during 2020 and

beyond.


Invest your time and attention. Don’t rush.


Close your eyes. Take several deep breaths. Bring your body

into stillness.


Now, place your hands over your heart for a minute or two.

Now, open your eyes and focus on the mandala. Bring your

awareness to your breath, without judgement; just be with your

breath. Now, bring your attention to your heart; allow the

mandala energy to fill your heart; be with whatever is there.


Invest a few minutes toward allowing the “Vision” energy to flow

to and through your body.  Imagine that energy bursting through

your crown chakra & extending far into the heavens. Imagine

the “Vision” 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 "Vision" energy is a

radiant ball that encircles you. Now, sit with this energy for a few

minutes.


What about the mandala captures your attention? Notice and

Wonder--Something in me is feeling...


I wonder what it wants me to know?


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

be present, listen.


Now, ask yourself:

"What do I want to feel at the end of today?"

Allow whatever comes up as you connect with feeling. What do

you notice, what feeling arises?


Now, send that feeling forward to the end of January, to the end

of June, to each month throughout 2020.


Now, ask "What am I going to be celebrating at the end of

2020?” Allow whatever comes up as you connect with feeling.



What do you notice, what feeling arises, what do you see?


Now, ask yourself:


"What tiny step can I take today that supports this feeling? What

brings that feeling alive in me? What intention do I choose that

supports this feeling?"


Allow whatever comes up as you connect with the feeling. What

do you notice? What feelings arise, what do you see? Repeat

this exercise as often as you like during this powerful, magical

time and throughout 2020.



Celebrating your vision and honoring the feeling associated with

your vision allows your intentions to come forward. This is self-

love in action. Loving yourself aligns you with your true nature

and gives you the energy and focus to keep the promises

associated with your intentions.  This is the time to make

commitments to yourself that renew your body, mind, and spirit.




Wishing you the blessings of peace and joy in 2020 and

beyond,


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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?


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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.


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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,

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    Author

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

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