Co-Creative Mentoring LLC Sheryl Harrell, MAA.B.S., EFT Cert.
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Interdependence: Are We Really All in This Together?

7/30/2020

 
 I get by with a little help from my friends. 
                                   John Lennon

Happy International Day of Friendship! The first International

Day of Friendship was proclaimed and celebrated by the UN in

2011. This special day reminds us of the importance of

connecting with people through friendship along with building

bridges among cultures, countries and ideologies, and

promoting a more peaceful world (from the UN website).


I'm always on the lookout for reminders that there is still good in

this world. The human condition is challenging, to say the least.

We live in a tough world, made all the more difficult by a global

pandemic and racial and social injustices. Between the isolation

of the quarantine, lack of trust, discrimination, and cultural

discord, prioritizing peace may seem to have less presence in

today's world.  I think that's part of the illusion of separation that

seems to be the dominate force these days.


Over the past few months, many of us are discovering that

going it alone is against our nature (even us introverts). We

thrive on the interdependence that comes from standing

together for a common purpose. Even though it's sometimes

hard to see, I believe we have more in common than we may

realize. And, I trust that any idea (like International Day of

Friendship) that minimizes the spread of hatred and disdain that

keeps us feeling separate from one another is the kind of world

we want.  I'd like to think that's something we all have in

common.   Promoting and defending a shared spirit of human

solidarity takes many forms — the simplest of which is

friendship. The word “friend” is a derivative of the verb “freon,”

which means, “To love.”



As we physically re-engage with family, friends, neighbors, and

co-workers, how can we go about tending to friendship (when

friendship is a verb)? Even if you've maintained connections all

the while, why not invest the time and energy today toward

letting your friends know they matter to you.


Today, and every day, offers the opportunity to reach out to our

friends, to remind them that they are loved and cared for.

Celebrating friendships through something as simple as a brief

note, a text, a phone call, a card or a coffee/tea hang out (with

appropriate social distancing) are all ways to foster friendship.

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We are experiencing a unique and

historic time that is calling for us to

stand steady and calm, stay grounded

in our strength and spirit, and hold up

Light and hope, courage and

friendship for others. Friendship is

synonymous with the bonding that

creates a space in which even in our

differences we can find common ground through kindness and

togetherness.


At a time in history when we may be feeling more disconnected

than ever—and missing our friends and family deeply—there is

hope to help you get through anything (yes, even this).  While

we may not be immune to fear and feeling separate,

incorporating practices that help shift our vibration (mood,

attitude, thoughts, and feelings) is a powerfully loving and

healing gesture toward ourselves and each other. Cultivating

balance in our lives, remembering our Wholeness, and

transforming energies of pain and suffering into energies of

optimal health for mind, body, spirit allows us to offer support,

healing, and friendship to a world that needs us more now than

ever.


I believe we're here to help humanity. We're on earth at this time

to be points of light, calm, and connectedness. We have been

given an urgent wake up call to live our purpose, to help

humanity prosper, and to extend love. I believe we're being

called to go beyond self-care (although that is the necessary

first step to creating the foundation for how we "be in the world")

by holding a sense of inner spaciousness and calmness from

which we can fulfill our purpose, the reason we were born

during  this time of upheaval, turmoil, and change. This is a time

of discovery--what you're good at, what you love to do, and what

makes you feel your calling (Hint: This is more than a career). 

It's also a time of finding calmness in the chaos and aligning

with your purpose. We all have a purpose. What's yours?



My purpose is to serve others in the best way I possibly can. I

do that in few ways – through coaching, teaching, co-creating

mandalas, gardening and other interactions like this blog. When

I’m serving others, I’m deeply aware of my gratitude for them.  I

also serve others by using humor and serving from a place of

love.   When I'm not living from my calm center, I notice these

qualities aren’t present and it's hard to be in alignment with my

purpose.  In other words, if I’m not attuned to my calm center,

aware of my gratitude, listening deeply, or coming from love

when I’m coaching or teaching, then my vibration isn't in

alignment with my purpose.  At those times I can choose how I

respond.  I can stay stuck in that place or I can begin again. 

And when I notice that, I have an opportunity to get back on

track.  The more I'm aware of this and use practices that clear

my energy and shift my vibration, being a friend to myself and

the world becomes a habit.


As spiritual "first responders" (thank you, Rue Hass) we need to

think clearly and creatively about the present so that we have

the capacity to co-create an emerging future that gets us out of

our habitual patterns, outdated beliefs, and limitations that we

have been trained to follow.



Here are three simple steps we can take:


1. Remember (or possibly begin) self-care basics. Drink lots of

water! Healthy eating, rest and regular exercise can give you

the resilience to evolve and adapt. Take good care of yourself

first, and you have more to give to others, if this is important to

you.


2. Nourish and strengthen your immune system. Your immune

system tells you what is you and what isn't you. It's an extension

of your identity. Strengthen your immune system by

incorporating Donna Eden's Daily Energy Routine.


3. Create and hold a space for calm.  When we notice the

discomfort that comes with disruptions in our energy system, we

can heal it by creating a space for it instead of battling it,

resisting it, or trying to get rid of it. Energy meridian work (like

EFT/Tapping) fosters calmness and creates openness for

imagining new possibilities. Clearing the energy system turns

worry and upset toward calmness and peace and expands our

capacity for extending friendship and cooperation globally.

Don't underestimate the simple act of remaining calm. Being

calm, held in light, is a needed service. The world

needs islands of calm.



The Co-Creative Mandala below—“Interdependence" reminds

us that "we're all in this together".  We are energy fields,

connected to everything and everyone. This is a time when we

really need to come together and accept our differences and

stand together in friendship and make changes individually,

collectively, and globally.  As we think and act holistically to

solve problems--each of us offers different and complimentary

visions. Guided by ideas and ideals we become problem

solvers. We are the ones we've been waiting for.


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Each friend represents a world in us,

a world possibly not born until they arrive,

and it is only by this meeting

that a new world is born.


                                                                  
Anais Nin

Interdependence Exercise:


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

"Interdependence" and  connect with the power of all aspects of

yourself. The following exercise is adapted from the Jin Shin

Jyutsu finger holding exercise. Instead of focusing on the

emotions, we will focus on five aspects of ourselves--the body,

mind, emotions, subtle body, and soul. Together, these parts are

our Wholeness. 



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

“Interdependence”. What does "Interdependence" mean to you?


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 mandala; allow

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

Invest a few minutes toward allowing the “Interdependence” 

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

bursting through your crown chakra & extending far into the

heavens.


Imagine the “Interdependence” 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 “Interdependence” 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 your body and its quietness. Be with the energy, be

present, listen.


Call to mind each aspect of yourself: you body, your mind, your

emotions, your subtle body, and your soul. Notice how each part

is interdependent in shaping your life.Give each of these parts

your love and appreciation for what each contributes to your

wholeness and life.



ACTIVATE THE ENERGY MERIDIANS


Focusing on the mandala--wrap your right hand around the

thumb or a finger of the left hand. Relax your hands and hold as

you


◆ bring calm awareness to your body— lightly hold your thumb

◆ bring calm awareness to your mind— lightly hold your index

finger

◆ bring calm awareness to your emotions— lightly hold your

middle finger

◆ bring calm awareness to your subtle body (sphere around

you, aura, energy field that is you)— lightly hold your ring finger

◆ bring calm awareness to your soul— lightly hold your pinky

finger

◆ Hold your hands together, finger tips together, as if you are

cradling a ball.


Again, thank and acknowledge each of them for being part of a

larger whole that is you.



You can do this exercise anywhere and at any time that your

hands are free. Just wrap your right hand around the thumb or a

finger of the left hand. Relax your hands and hold. For best

results, sit comfortably and close your eyes.


By holding each thumb and finger in turn every day for a few

minutes, you can calm the mind, soothe the nervous system,

and regenerate your whole being.


When your energy feels blocked or stymied, taking an action

can help unblock the flow, particularly when you take action on

behalf of someone else. An act of kindness, thoughtfulness, and

helpfulness for another can have marvelously wonderful effects

on your energy field.


Our personal energy is part of the larger, interdependent energy

fields found in our communities, the land, and the planet as a

whole.  Recognizing that we are part of a larger whole and

acting to benefit the world around us is a vital way to keep our

energy flowing, healthy, and connected.


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
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