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

8/31/2021

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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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What's the Best Thing That Happened Today?

7/31/2021

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A dynamic of consciousness, "discovery" is one of the essential driving forces of living entities.
                                                                              Jonathan Edwards

Can you feel how the energy has shifted since the Summer

Solstice? The sun is rising later and setting earlier. The Great

Mandala is turning.  This weekend, on August 1st, marks the

mid-point between Summer Solstice and the Autumnal Equinox.


And, summer's not nearly over! There's so much happening in

the garden...my sunflowers are beginning to bloom! We're

harvesting garlic and zucchini, tomatoes and lots of flowers! Our

garden is full and lush with beauty and the first bounty--the time

of year for the first harvest.


My memories of summer are often vivid because it's a season

blessed with bright colors, with fresh scents, vibrant flowers,

brilliant sunlight. And, lots of heat!  I grew up playing on my

grandparents' farms in southeast Georgia where everyday

brought a new experience, a new discovery. At my

grandmother's side, I learned (by osmosis) how to tend to

flowers and how to connect to the Earth.  I was carefree, felt

compelled to play, to relax, and experience all life's joys during

the sunlit hours.

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Summer is at its core a season of light, and by opening

ourselves and our spaces to this light, we honor all the joy

associated with the season. Opening windows and doors,

arranging bright-colored blooms in vases (my favorite), and

turning our faces toward the sun become a celebration.


Life has been pretty rough lately. This year has taken a bite out

of a lot of people’s energy, and you might well be one of them.

And, mid-summer is offering you an opportunity to get in some

much-needed nurturing and spiritual positivity.


What happens when the path has rough patches or the bind

weed gets out of control in my garden?


I've learned over the years that when I'm more connected to the

Earth, and in tune with her cycles of planting, growing and

harvesting, I'm more aware of what each season has to offer.

This part of summer is the time when the first fruits (and flowers

and veggies) of our labors are harvested. This is the time to

celebrate the harvests and to acknowledge all the hard work

that went into those accomplishments.


You may not be harvesting from a garden, but that energy is still

present. Remember the dreams you envisioned in January, the

seeds you planted at the Spring Equinox, your emerging design

at Summer Solstice? You have your own personal harvests–

your inner garden that you've planted, nurtured, grown, and

worked hard to bring to fruition in your life so far this year.


This is the time of year when we remember and appreciate our

hopes and embrace our fears about our own personal harvests.

We hope the seeds we planted in our lives last spring will

continue to grow & flourish this year. And yet, like anyone who

has ever planted a garden, you may have fears that a storm, or

a swarm of grasshoppers, or bind weed will ravage your crops

before you can harvest them. You may have fears rising up

about your ability to accomplish all you’ve worked hard for.


And, here we are...discovering what we envisioned is coming to

life in all its beauty! And, the intentions we set for the year

continue to emerge, to evolve. 



The Gifts of Mid-summer:


Mid-summer is an important time to pause and acknowledge all

the beauty you have in your life. And all the hard work it's taken

to get here. Like you, at the New Year I imagined what I hoped

for in my life this year; I set intentions. I did the same with my

gardens as I poured over seed catalogues and imagined all the

amazing colors, shapes, and scents that would fill my garden in

the summer.


What are the gifts that come with connecting to the natural

world? to the summer season?  Both growing a garden and

growing the blessings you’re co-creating in your life require

energy, attention, and intention--and curiosity. A sense of

wonder. A wondering mind, is open, curious and ready to learn,

grow and expand!


As you deepen your spiritual journey toward remembering your

Wholeness, you discover that life’s deeper meaning begins to

emerge. Soulful moments appear that touch you deeply, often

times they are hard to explain. Seeking and questioning become

familiar friends that lead to new discoveries, insight and healing.

It is powerful and transformative time.

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Quietening the Thinking Mind:


Staying curious and open sounds easier than it may be. Our

brain is used to thinking logically, interpreting rationally, and

sifting out what is not already known to be true which closes the

door to your remembering your Wholeness! When we quieten

the thinking mind and cultivate the observing mind, the worlds

discovered within are rich with metaphor, symbolism, and

wisdom. When explored with wonder and curiosity, our

consciousness expands! This leads us on a fantastic voyage

where discovery happens, problems are solved, new ideas are

inspired, and the miraculous becomes reality!


Over time, with patience and intention, you can put the ‘thinking

mind’ on the shelf for a bit and by utilizing your observing mind

you explore with wonder and curiosity ~ open to the unusual

and allow for anything to be possible! This creates an opening

where you begin to see, sense, or feel these new spaces within!



As this year's Co-Creative Mandala theme--a pathway to

Oneness--unfolds, we're reminded that focusing on each Co-

Creative Mandala helps shift our attention to the best in us, not

the worst; to our strengths, not our weaknesses; to possibility

thinking, not problem thinking. Each month offers the

opportunity for expanding our curiosity and capacity to discover

our individual and collective destiny.


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What's the Best Thing That Happened Today?


This is a wonderful time to reacquaint yourself with the joys of

summertime by immersing yourself in its pleasures. Wake up

with the sunrise, take a day trip to the beach or to the

mountains, indulge in an ice cream cone, or simply sit quietly.


Use all your senses, including focused listening to help quieten

the thinking mind. The air is filled with beautiful sounds

particular to the season. To begin, find a quiet, solitary spot. For

10 minutes, pay attention to the workings of your mind and allow

it to wander at will. Then turn your attention to observing the

sounds resonating around you and note what you hear, whether

the buzzing of bees, children's laughter, or birdsong--welcome in

all the joyful sounds that come with summer.  


In the spirit of discovery--Ask yourself this playful question:

What's the Best Thing That Happened Today? Listen for your

answer from within; see your answer all around you.



This month's Co-Creative Mandala, "Discovery" from photos of

hollyhocks (symbols of abundance) reminds us to invest the

time to reflect on and soak in the abundant light of summer that

supports remembering your connection to the natural world and

the ways that the outer world is reflected within as Wholeness.


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Discovery, like surprise, favors the
well prepared mind.
                                                          Jerome Bruner    
Discovery Exercise:


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

"Discovery" and feel supported by your inner and outer

resources.  Honor this powerful time of light and first harvest.


Intention:


We are moving into the mid-point of Summer, it's the beginning

of harvest season. The energy is HIGH at this time of year. It

can be HOT. There are places literally on fire right now from the

summer heat. It's an intense time of year. And it can make you

feel overwhelmed and tired, excited and exhilarated. You can

use the seasonal energy available to your right now to feel

deeply rooted in your life. Feel anchored & strong by investing in

the vibration of "Discovery".


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 "Discovery" vibration.


In a moment, when you are done reading through the

instructions, write everything that the Co-Creative

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

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

represent (root, 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 "Discovery"

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

whatever is there.


Invest a few minutes toward allowing the "Discovery" vibration

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

through your crown chakra and extending far into the heavens.


Imagine the "Discovery" 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

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


Now, sit with this energy for a few minutes.


What about the "Discovery" 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:

Enjoy this exploration as you think about your heart-felt desires,

what you'd like to discover about yourself as you begin to

manifest your desires. You've likely already been thinking about

your vision for this year and what's manifesting right now. 

Discover the ways that your outer world is a reflection of your

evolution of consciousness and your Wholeness.


Pause and acknowledge all the beauty you're harvesting in your

life. And all the hard work its taken to get here. Your strengths

that support realizing your dreams. The steps you can take to

make sure your dreams are realized.


Get our your journal or pen and paper and reflect on the

following questions:


1. What heart-felt desires are ready to harvest?
What have I

been  working on–dreams I've been chasing, projects I’ve

been building, inner gardens I’ve been cultivating &

growing–that are beginning to show signs of ripeness?



2. Which heart-felt desires need my attention now?


3. What are my strengths, my brilliance that support

fulfilling my desires in the weeks ahead?



4. What is one thing I can do right now to help ensure that

will happen?



All the growth in your garden (literal & metaphoric) … it needs

to be tended. It needs harvested. So make sure you take plenty

of time to rest.



Pause when you can. Indulge in summertime rest – nap in a

hammock, enjoy a cold beverage on your porch, bask in the sun

on a summer afternoon.


Take a moment to soak in the energy of summer and connect

more deeply with yourself and the natural world. This is a

transformative time. Discover all the ways your inner world is

reflected all around you.



The season is passing quickly, so while it remains, revel in the

richness of life and renew yourself in the wonder of the light. 



Wishing you all the miracles of discovery.


Peace and joy to your seeking heart,


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It's Time to Shine Your Brightest!

6/20/2021

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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.

Picture
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.



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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.


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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.

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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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Who Are You, Really?

5/31/2021

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Exploration is really the essence of human spirit.
                                                           
Frank Borman, Astronaut
Many blessings to you.  Have you noticed the changes all

around you since the first day of spring? Can you see and feel

how the Great Mandala energy has shifted? May 1st marked the

mid-point between Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice. The

sun sets much later than it did at the Spring Equinox. It’s grown

considerably warmer outside (well, for many places that's true--

we're having a particularly chilly spring). At the Spring Equinox

new life was just beginning to emerge--sprouts poking their

heads above ground. Now, the Earth is alive with new life, with

blooming flowers and trees. We're so fortunate that the

restrictions we've felt over the past year are easing a bit just in

time for more outdoor activities and for people to come together

in celebration.


It's so wonderful to celebrate new life as we ride the current of

life opening to the new possibilities that are here to be felt,

experienced, and explored! May the warmth of Spring and the

springing forth of life bless you beyond anything you can

imagine.


I invite you to celebrate the natural world today and everyday for

the rest of the year. Invest in your well-being as often as you

can by enjoying nature, even if it’s just a few minutes sitting by a

tree, feeling the warmth of the sun on your face, walking

barefoot on grass, or strolling in your neighborhood and

enjoying all the signs of spring that are bursting forth. Notice the

shifts in energy with each passing season.


Exploration and curiosity have been on my mind all month with

the energy that May brought us. May reminded me to welcome

the unknown, to nurture what's coming up in  life now, the seeds

that where planted a while ago that are bringing beauty to life.

It's so delightful to allow my  attention and energy to be drawn to

the beauty of nature all around me, to trust that there will be

more beauty to experience and explore.


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When I'm drawn to explore nature I'm reminded of my

Wholeness--the interconnectedness of all things.  My love of

and connection to the natural world started when I was in grade

school. Every summer between second and eighth grades my

brother and I were "dropped off" at summer camp. Well, it wasn't

really summer camp--we spent our summers exploring  our

grandparent's farm in southwest Georgia. Oh, those were

wonder-filled days! While my grandparents were busy with all

the work that comes with farming, I was free to explore the

fields, woods, and creeks on and around the farm. Besides my

brother, there were no other kids close by to play with. In my

solitude, I found (or they found me) three invisible (to everyone

else) playmates that I'd visit every day, spending hours

exploring with. Years later I realized that they were nature

spirits. Fortunately, my family was very supportive, if not

indulgent,  of my daily reports about Miz Saniseets, Boggy, and

Gigy who showed me all the flowers, the animals, the birds, and

secret places where I explored and  let my imagination and

curiosity run wild, where I could be fully myself--playful,

carefree, curious. Although I didn't know it at the time, they were

instrumental in opening my awareness to what the late Dr.

James Bugental called "inward searching"--the practice of

listening, in the moment, to what's going on inside of me --my

thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, memories and dreams.

This connection to the outer world started my inner journey of

self-discovery.


The exploration didn't stop there. I'm a life-long learner...



Why is exploration important?
Therefore we must ... let ourselves be led by the inner thread of silence into the unknown, beyond where all paths end, —not once but continually.
                                                                        
 Adyashanti
Having a deeper understanding of ourselves has many benefits.

It helps us understand and accept who we are and why we do

what they do, which improves self-esteem, communication and

relationships. As we travel the path of inquiry, we find that

there's an incredible amount of information that’s just waiting to

be explored, which is revealing itself all the time--if we notice. 

We just need to pause and ask. Even a simple question like

"what did I notice about myself today?" reveals a wealth of

information about ourselves and where we are as we travel

along the path to remembering our Wholeness.
 

Travel is a wonderful metaphor for the most profound form of

exploration--self-discovery. Both force us to face our fear of the

unknown, which in turn can provide opportunities for growth we

never imagined. It's exciting to awaken our inner child, sparking

our sense of curiosity. These experiences provide a living

education that far exceeds what can be learned from a textbook.

Reading about exotic places or listening to a travel agent's

description of a beautiful beach, although lovely to hear about or

see on a brochure, can't match the experience of being there.

Even though reading about enlightenment or listening to a

spiritual teacher may inspire us and enliven our imagination,

they are only road maps, guides that point us toward the real

thing. These outer resources inspire us to explore a deeper

understanding of our self. Our journey is truly an "inside job".


Many of us don’t deeply explore who we are, our thoughts,

feelings, values, and dreams. We may just skim the surface.

Over the years, I've discovered (for myself and for clients) three

main challenges that arise and create obstacles to self-

discovery.



1. We're busy--sometimes too busy for self-care. We're on the

go. Our to-do lists never seem to get done. It’s a real challenge

to pry ourselves away long enough from everything that's

grabbing our attention to take a deep look inside. If your life

depended on it (which I believe it does)--would you be willing to

invest 5 minutes a day toward just being with yourself? To listen

to what your still, small voice is saying?


2. Self-exploration takes energy. It's like working out--difficult at

first, then gets easier over time.


3. It can be difficult to heal from past stresses that keep us

stuck. Finding skilled practitioners who will help guide you

toward clearing stuck energy will smooth the path and provide a

safe space for exploration.
 

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Self-exploration takes time, effort, and focus. It can be some of

the scariest and yet rewarding personal growth work we ever

do. When we invest the time and intention toward self-discovery,

life starts to slow down and our awareness begins to expand,

time just seems to stop. These moments sweep away our

stresses and allow us to remember that just like the natural

world, we are whole, complete, and perfect.


This process of exploration and self-discovery has taught me a

lot about accepting myself and what is, enjoying what I have

and also what I don’t.  This idea has taken me some time to

understand; awareness is always emerging. It's vital that we

break free from our limiting beliefs about ourselves and take the

time to explore what inward searching has to offer.


Like me, you may feel lost sometimes. And, so the search

begins. Thinking that we have a mission to find ourselves is

flawed because we are already found. Inward searching isn't

about finding yourself but knowing yourself, remembering your

Wholeness.


Many Paths--One Destination



Are you feeling called to clear outdated beliefs that keep old

patterns and stories stored in your body and stuck in your

energy system?


Are you ready to claim your authentic power and live in

alignment with your purpose?


If you feel drawn toward self exploration , it’s because there’s a

deeper YOU that’s ready to emerge.  


Right now our deepest healing lies in our ability to peel back the

layers and make way for the new energy that allows our fullest

potential to emerge; that supports remembering our Wholeness,

our soul's calling, our purpose on the planet.


Your powerful journey of deep exploration and inner

transformation expands the light of your true, intuitive, authentic

self.


There are many paths to discovering who you really are. Here

are a few tips to help guide you:


1. Invest time in being rather than doing. Life is busy and messy,

and we often forget to take time to relax.  A good way to regain

connection with yourself is to meditate. Practice mindfulness,

inward exploration, in everyday life by noticing the present

moment, without judgment.


2. Discover what matters to you. What are you core values?

They help define who you are and who you aim to be. Use this

tool
to help you explore your core values.


3. Find your "yum" and "yuck". Listen to what you say "yes" to

and what you say "no" to. What do you enjoy? What are you

interested in? Look back to the last thing that brought you joy.

Remember how your body felt.



4. Examine the story you tell about yourself. You can

consciously change the story about who you think you are.



5. Ask for help. Make connections. Co-create your community.

Your journey is an inside job, but it isn't solo, although at times it

may feel like it is. Surround yourself with loving, light-hearted,

like-minded people who support your growth.



Who Are You, Really?


The journey toward answering that question embraces both

discovering your true self and remembering who you are. It's a

lifelong journey. It doesn’t happen in one day or one revelation,

and it's worth the pursuit. When you remember your true self,

you know who you are, and your purpose--what you’re meant to

do in this life. For inward searching to be truly effective and life

changing, we must listen to what is going on inside of ourselves

while staying curious and maintaining an expectation of inward

discovery. This goes against our tendency to identify with what

we already know about ourselves and stop the exploration

there. When we have an expectation of self-discovery, we will

surprise ourselves with what we uncover, what we remember.



This Co-Creative Mandala, "Exploration" from photograph of a

rhododendron (symbol of spiritual understanding) reminds us

that we are on a spiritual journey that helps us remember our

Wholeness. No matter where we are on our journey toward

Oneness, there is a next level calling to us, unfolding our

greatest potential. Your work now is to release any blockages

that prevent you from fully knowing yourself. Self-discovery is

about self-love, most of all.

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It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question.
                                           
Eugène Ionesco
Exploration Exercise:


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

"Exploration" and feel supported by your inner and outer

resources.  Honor this powerful time of embracing the unknown.


Intention:


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

within you and as it's reflected in nature.



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

"Exploration" energy.



In a moment, when you are done reading through the

instructions, write everything that the Co-Creative

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

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

represent (root, 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 "Exploration"

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

whatever is there.


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

flow to and through your body.  Imagine that energy bursting

through your crown chakra and extending far into the heavens.


Imagine the "Exploration" 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

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


Now, sit with this energy for a few minutes.

 
What about the "Exploration" 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:


This is a very powerful exercise to do with a trusted friend.

Often, having someone else present serving as a witness,

holding sacred space provides just what you need for deeply

exploring who you are. (If you're doing this alone, ask yourself

the questions and answer yourself out loud.)



Have a friend ask you the question, "Who are you?" (or ask

yourself "Who am I?). Then, without analyzing or thinking about

it, answer with the first thing that comes to your mind.

Remember, there are no right or wrong answers.


Your friend then asks "Who are you?" again. You again answer

with the first thing that comes to your mind.


Continue the process of asking and responding for about five

minutes.


Once you've completed the exercise, invest some time in

journaling about your responses. What surprised you? What did

you notice as you were answering the question? What did you

discover about yourself? Ask your friend what they noticed.



Thank whatever Higher Power you call on, for supporting your

journey toward remembering your Wholeness. 



What you will uncover may surprise you as you delve into

deeper levels of knowing who you are. You may start out by

answering with the roles you have assumed in your life (I’m a

dad, a husband, a therapist, a tennis player, etc.) then as the

exercise continues you may realize who you want to be but

haven’t yet become (an author, a singer, a gardener). You may

then move into thoughts and feelings you were not completely

aware of (a vulnerability or confidence you didn’t know you had).

The point is you will get in touch with the depth of who you are

as a human being.



Over the days, weeks, and months ahead, repeat this exercise

as often as you like.


Read your words daily. Ask the question again.



These self-discoveries can lead to feelings of excitement, as

you realize you can always open up to more of who you are. We

are never static human beings. The process of exploring and

learning who we are never ends. What a dynamic way to live!




Peace and joy to your exploring heart,
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Do You Have the Courage to be Vulnerable?

4/30/2021

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Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation,
 creativity, and change.
                                                                     Brene' Brown                                                    

Spring greetings from the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains! I

love celebrating Mother Earth--our sacred planet that gives,

nurtures and sustains our lives. Earth Day was celebrated on

April 22, followed by  Arbor Day (in honor of sacred trees),

which falls on the last Friday in April.


Doesn't it seem a little silly to celebrate Earth Day or sacred

trees on only one day a year? Is setting aside one day to

celebrate, appreciate, and respect the natural world enough?

I'm thinking we need more...dedicated time everyday to

disconnect from the chaos and bask in the healing that comes

when we connect with the natural world.   


If you've been following this blog for any length of time, you

know that aligning with the rhythms of nature, the

transformational energy of the seasons that nurture personal

growth and well-being, is my passion. Beginning in January with

the centering energy of Silence, we've explored Reflection and

Awakening, each month embracing inner and outer energy

shifts.  This is the time for opening to new possibilities by

creating rituals, connecting with nature,  and enjoying the

wonderful spring-time energy.


Just like the seeds in the soil, your vision, your dreams, your

intentions for this year are emerging. Right now, your energy is

rising. It's seeking to be expressed in the physical world. Just

like in nature, you have the amazing ability to bring forth new

life, new creations in beautiful and stunning ways. It's important

to honor this inner and outer force of nature that invites you to

be more visible in the world.
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So, whether you’re feeling focused, and on your path toward

Oneness - or maybe a bit off-kilter, scattered, and disconnected

- one thing’s for sure: We’re riding an evolutionary tidal wave

that feels both exhilarating and soul-inspiring... and also may

feel chaotic, confusing, and disorienting. Life-altering shifts are

happening on all levels - personally and collectively.  We may

feel energized or want to retreat...


We're all at different points in our evolution of consciousness.

Some of us feel comfortable with expressing ourselves and

allowing ourselves to shine in the world. Others of us feel ready,

but something is holding us back: Old beliefs? Fears?

Resistance? No matter where you are at this point on your

journey toward Oneness--it takes courage to allow your tender

new dreams to burst forth. It takes courage to put yourself out

there where others might judge you. I know this from

experience! But when your heart tells you that it's time to be

more visible in the world, there's little you can do besides

answer the call to show up and be seen.


This is a really meaningful time to ask yourself:


How do I want to grow in the coming weeks & months?


What do I want to harvest this year?


And...

What if the timing for putting yourself, your vision, your

intentions out there doesn't feel right? Doesn't feel safe?


Do you have the courage to allow yourself to be vulnerable?




The Paradox of Vulnerability


Vulnerability.  Do you equate it with being naive, gullible and

worst of all, weak? Who wants to get hurt?  Who wants to be

exposed to the changes and challenges that are out of our

control? The answer … very few of us!


We are all vulnerable no matter how hard we try not to be or

how much we want to be in control. But resisting vulnerability

(and the feelings that come with it) is not a helpful mindset for

growth.



Dr. Brené Brown, a well-known research professor and

consultant,  has spent the past two decades studying courage,

vulnerability, shame, and empathy.  Since her first
TEDeX talk

in 2010, The Power of Vulnerability
, she has continued her

research into vulnerability. Her insights include busting the myth

that vulnerability is weakness. Also, understanding the

connection between vulnerability and courage means healing

shame. In order to be seen in the world, we need to accept and

embrace the concept of failure as a natural part of the pathway

to progress and silence the inner critic that wants us to be small

and stay safe. She has so much wisdom to offer about

vulnerability. We're lightly touching the concept in this blog. If

you haven't explored her work, I highly recommend that you do.



Vulnerability is a very puzzling part of our human experience. 

We hide it from ourselves; we don’t want it. And, it's vital for our

evolution of consciousness. The truth is, vulnerability does

make us more susceptible to hurt, heartbreak and

disappointment – there’s no denying that!  But without allowing

ourselves to be vulnerable we can’t experience the joy of life,

we can’t be our authentic selves.



Opening to Vulnerability

Embracing vulnerability, as I've discovered, opens many doors

of opportunity.  For example, without vulnerability, I never would

have been able to listen to my intuition, to co-create mandalas

or write this blog, or learn from what it feels like to be exposed

and feel empathy towards others, or connect with so many

wonderful people.


To be vulnerable is to be courageous even in the face of fear.

When I resist or deny my vulnerability I close myself off to life

and all of its opportunities out of fear, not strength; I miss out on

deep connections with others; I'm not authentic or honest with

myself.


Being vulnerable is really scary, something I equate with  giving

a speech, naked, in front of a group with the words “laugh at

me” painted on my forehead.  In all it's different forms,  this fear,

this need to stay small and safe,  is the same for almost all of

us. 


And, it's comforting to know--we're not alone.  It takes courage

to allow ourselves to be vulnerable.


Courage, the original definition of courage, when it first came into the English language — it’s from the Latin word cor, meaning heart — and the original definition was to tell the story of who you are
with your whole heart.
                                                              Brene' Brown

In the midst of fear and uncertainty--where we feel most

vulnerable,  it may seem impossible to find our ground. Yet, the

feelings we want to avoid the most can open the way to

fearlessness, our basic goodness,  true freedom and Oneness

even in the face of our most difficult inner and outer challenges.

Vulnerability shows us the way back to our wisest and most

heartful selves, to our wholeheartedness. It takes a lot of

courage to consider that uncertainty is not a threat, that in fact

it’s creative and powerful.



Cultivating Courage: Embracing Vulnerability

Like me, you might be still learning how to embrace

vulnerability, and wondering how to align your energy with

courage so that you can be wholehearted in your life.  If you are,

you may benefit from what I have learnt so far and continue to

practice:



1. Cultivate self-love, self-compassion, and self-acceptance--

even n the face of the inner critic or limiting beliefs. When you're

willing to love and accept all parts of yourself you raise your

vibration, your confidence grows from the inside out, and you

stop relying on how others see you to make you feel good about

yourself. The confidence grows in the knowledge that you will

be there for yourself always, come what may. Trust in your own

goodness.


2. Find the stillness, silence, and space within your inner storms

so that you can act rather than react. All well-being practices,

including time in  the natural world--remind you of the stillness,

the silence within. When we meditate, when we connect with

stillness, with silence, we meet ourselves and we discover our

true self in the presence that is here and now. The more time,

energy, and intention you invest in connecting with your inner

silence the more the silence grows and the more you feel

silence all around you. Many studies show and my

experience reveals that being in nature heals.
The smell of

the earth, the sounds of birds or water, the sight of trees

swaying in the wind, the feel of grass under our feet, or waves

crashing on the shore  (if you're fortunate enough to live close to

water) make our senses come alive. This connection to the

natural world invites mindfulness and being in the moment--a

sense of experiencing something greater than our self--our

Wholeness from which courage emerges.



3. Feel all your feelings. The feelings that we want to run from

offer us the very fuel we need to grow self-acceptance, self-

love,  self-compassion, and empathy. Honoring all of our felt

experiences—positive and negative—is a direct path to

courage. Being curious about vulnerability teaches us authentic

courage. Instead of banishing fear, or making ourselves wrong

for feeling vulnerable--allowing ourselves to go into fear and

deeply feel it is the way to become courageous.

When you learn to smile at your fear, to be with your fear, you become an authentic friend to yourself, and thereby develop confidence.
                                                  
Pema Chodron
4. Make connections; ask for help; encourage others. It takes

courage to let others see us when we're at our most vulnerable.

When you need help, remember you're not alone, so take the

risk and ask for it.  When life gets turbulent, we tend to close our

eyes and collapse inward and get really quiet (old patterns that

once served to keep us safe, but are no longer useful for our

evolution of consciousness).  Look around, open up, put

yourself out there, and ask for help. Trust the goodness of

people. Healing happens when we take the risk of being honest

and authentic with ourselves and people we trust. It occurs to

me that even if it is not always easy to love ourselves, we are

good at loving others. Isn’t it usually true that we are often better

at caring for others than we are at caring for ourselves? That's a

gift we can give to ourselves, too. When we en-courage others,

we also build our own "courage muscles".



How often do you tell yourself – “I just need a little courage” or “I

wish I had more courage”, then you move whatever it is that you

were dreaming of doing to the back burner? Ever wonder how to

shift your energy when you need a boost to your courage? You

can shift and access energy that will support your dreams,

desires and give you access to resources and people who can

help you move into the unknown.


When we take good care of our energy field, we learn to restore

flow where there's  constriction. It's like being held in loving,

protective arms where it's harder to hang on to any old

habitual feelings of fear.


Here's a simple, powerful practice to bring your energy into

alignment:


Put one hand on your chest, on your sternum, and spread out

your fingers. Bring the other hand up to rest with your palm on

the top of the other hand, and lightly hold your thumb with all

five fingers. Pause and breathe. Continuing to hold this position,

let your attention wander to anything you have been worrying

about. You are not trying to fix anything. You are just creating a

spaciousness around your worries, a landing place. Stay here

for a while. Notice how you feel inside.  



The natural world is blooming & growing, and life is thriving.

Right now, we can use this powerful growth energy to allow our

intentions to emerge and grow. 
This is a time of pure potential.

Anything is possible in your life right now. This Co-Creative

Mandala, "Courage", from a photograph of Iris (symbols

of courage)
  reminds us to embrace vulnerability.  Your work

right now is to trust your goodness, trust the goodness of others,

and remember that the Universe wants you to thrive.

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Embrace the unknown; welcome the uncertainty.
Feel your deep connection to the natural world.
Realize your greatest potential.

                                                                            
Courage Exercise:

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

"Courage" and feel supported by your inner and outer

resources.  Honor this powerful time of uncertainty.


Intention:


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

within you and as it's reflected in nature.



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

'Courage'. 



In a moment, when you are done reading through the

instructions, write everything that the Co-Creative

Mandala-'Courage' 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, third eye 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 'Courage'

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

whatever is there.


Invest a few minutes toward allowing the 'Courage' energy to

flow to and through your body.  Imagine that energy bursting

through your crown chakra and extending far into the heavens.


Imagine the 'Courage' 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

'Courage' energy is a radiant ball that encircles you.


Now, sit with this energy for a few minutes.

 
What about the 'Courage' 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:

Grab your journal & spend some time in self-reflection at this

powerful seasonal time.

Here are some wonderful questions to ask yourself at this time

of year …



1. Begin by reflecting on the following questions:

  • What is bringing you great joy right now?
  • What currently lights up your spirit? What do you feel inspired to devote your spring energy toward?
  • What parts of yourself do you feel most confident about?
  • Where do you need to boost your self-confidence?


2. Read what you've written:

Read out loud what you wrote in response to the questions

above.




3. Ask for support:

In whatever words come to you, ask for support from the

Universe/God/Goddess/Guides–whatever Higher Power calls to

you in this moment.


Think of people you trust to share your wholehearted truth with.




 4. Give thanks:

Thank whatever Higher Power you call on, for bringing your

dreams to life. Say thanks as though your dream has already

come true. (Because it HAS, you’re simply calling it into your

life.)


Don’t worry about getting the words perfect, or saying the exact

right thing. Just say whatever comes to your mind & your heart.

It’s okay if it feels awkward & clunky. (Remember: Having the

Courage to be vulnerable is messy and takes practice!)


5. Reread your words often:

As often as possible, read your words. Continue to do this

ritual as often as you are called to during the spring months.

Allow your vision, your intentions evolve and change. Allow

yourself to "dare greatly".



I invite you to celebrate new life and your emerging dreams!

Enjoy riding the current of life birthing, awakening, and opening

to the new possibilities that are here to be felt and experienced!



Peace and joy to your seeking heart,

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Are You Feeling Nudged to Awaken? What Will You Do With "Your One Wild and Precious life"?

3/20/2021

0 Comments

 
Spring has come back again. The Earth is like a child who knows poems by heart.
                                                                         Rainer Maria Rilke
The Spring Equinox is a cosmic event that marks the mid-point

between the Winter and Summer Solstices. It's a time when the

darkness of winter is in balance with the light of summer,

promising longer day-light hours to come as spring blossoms

and awakens new life. Ritually, it's a day to acknowledge the

constriction from which we are emerging and to welcome the

expansion of the light into which we are awakening. It's a

moment to acknowledge and celebrate our Wholeness and

awaken to the Oneness to which all beings are called in service

to the Web of Life.



The Spring Equinox is a time of  Awakening.  Spring represents

a new day.  Life is waking up in the warm sunlight & your spirit

may feel ready to make a fresh start. We're shifting from

Winter's inward-focused time of darkness & incubation – into an

external, outward-focused world of light, activity, and rebirth.



It's a time of transformation and transition, not unlike giving

birth. Spring nurtures you, helps you grow, and guides you on

your soul's path.
 

Can you feel the energy shifting? Can you feel the fresh,

invigorating, inspiring energy of Spring beginning to blow into

your life? The winds of change are blowing, and that can make

things feel a bit unsettled (internally and externally) at this time

and throughout the month.  I've noticed that with the weather

patterns here in northern Colorado and across the US. So far

this month, we've had days when the temperatures were close

to 70, followed by a 2-day blizzard that left nearly two feet of

snow, and then sunny warm days arrived again. I feel that

tumultuous energy inside, as well. From one day to the next,

sometimes moment to moment, my energy shifts; my mood

changes.


The changing seasons always stir up intense energy, but the

transition from Winter to Spring is particularly challenging. For

the most part, I have the sense that something new and

beautiful is emerging. But in the process, I often have a feeling

of being squeezed, as what is getting ready to shift comes into

the light of awareness. I have come to recognize that the

squeeze is a good sign that something new is rising...just like

plump seeds below the soil's surface sprouting new growth.

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Maybe you're like me-- as much as I want to awaken, to

embrace new beginnings,  I also have a part that is fixed to what

I know. And that part is being challenged lately by the quantum

changes that are happening inside and all around each of us. I

feel excitement and more energy as Spring approaches--

pouring over seed and flower catalogs, dreaming about what the

garden will look like, shifting my focus from "cacooning" to

spreading my wings. And, as spring gets underway, my energy

will shift from dreaming to doing. I'm feeling moved and

energized by the possibilities for a fresh start and clarity during

spring and beyond. Not everyone feels that way.


Sometimes, I don't feel that way either. In conversations with

clients who report that this time is difficult for them, almost too

intense, I realize they're looking for ways to ease their journey

into the new season--internally and externally. This is the time to

hold space for that, too. One of our spiritual tasks during this

time is finding ways to balance this "topsy-turvy" energy and

return to or reinforce a sense of equilibrium to the places in life

that are currently feeling out of balance.



Awakening can be messy. Awakening can be chaotic,

sometimes moving forward, sometimes circling back. It's not

linear. It's like an upward, expanding spiral.  Awakening is

something that the we are, a way of being– not something that

we do. Moving to a higher frequency is not all smooth sailing.

We are all acclimating to a new way of being and this may take

some time and the process needs support. Through our daily

self-care practices and rituals, we co-create meaning for

ourselves, we open to new beginnings, to transformation. 

Awakening occurs when we make deep connections with

nature, with Oneness, and our deep down, inner self--our

Wholeness.


This is a potent time to focus on what you want your Awakening

to look like. The seasonal energy is always pushing us to grow.

It's always providing  us with the supportive, nurturing energy

necessary to transform our life.



This is the time to live in alignment with this energy, and to grow

and experience a deeper more meaningful and purposeful life.



Overall, Spring is a joyful time. Everything is coming alive.


Nature is waking up & being reborn.


The same thing is happening within you. Your spirit is coming

alive with hopeful, excited energy. Parts of you are being reborn

& coming alive in ways they never have before. You have the

power & potential to grow into WHATEVER YOU WANT this

year! Especially if you put some really focused attention and

intention into what you want that to be.


The beautiful & empowering thing about Spring is:



Just like in the outer world of gardening, this is when you get to

plant new seeds for your life & set spring intentions, when you

begin to bloom & flower in the outside world, after months of

being inwardly-focused & tucked away inside your house.

(Literally AND figuratively.) This time of year your spirit is bright

& coming alive with new ideas; hopefully you’re feeling inspired

& excited to try new things.


Your work this season is to take care of yourself, clear any

energetic blocks to Awakening, and align your energy with the

seasonal energy. These steps will help you determine which of

your winter dreams you want to focus spring’s powerful growth

energy on. Spring Equinox is the beginning; the Awakening will

continue throughout the spring season.


Spring and summer bring powerful growth energy. If you’re not

clear about where to focus that energy, it may feel chaotic and

overwhelming. Your energy gets pulled in many different

directions and could leave you feeling burned out. When you’re

really clear, calm, and relaxed about where you want to see

growth, you have the power to transform your life.


Here are three simple, powerful steps (a fourth one, an

Awakening Exercise, can be found below) for supporting your

Spring journey toward Awakening:



1. Self-care: One of the easiest ways to incorporate self-care

when you feel the intensity of the seasonal energy (or any time

you feel pulled from your center) is through connecting with your

breathing.


“Whenever your mind becomes scattered, use your breath as a 

means to take hold of your mind again.” Thich Nhat Hanh 


Try this breathing meditation every morning for the next week

(and beyond, if you choose) and anytime you want to regain

your balance:


5-Minute Breathing Meditation*:


    I. Before you begin this meditation, think of an area of your

life that feels out of balance.

  
   II. Set an intention to breathe love and gratitude into this area

of your life.

  
  III. Set a “gentle” timer, i.e., a quiet ring tone on your phone, for

5 minutes.

    
  IV. Take slow, deep breaths. As you breathe in, repeat to

yourself: “Breathe in gratitude”. “Breathe out love”. Do this for

three breaths.


  V. Then switch and repeat to yourself: “Breathe in love”.

“Breathe out gratitude.” Do this for three breaths.


 VI. Continue breathing easily and deeply for the remainder of

the 5-minutes.




2. Clearing energetic blocks: In order to move forward, it’s

necessary to take clear, inspired actions.  These clear and

inspired actions are sometimes hidden by old conflicts,

beliefs, and energetic patterns that need to be cleared

(remember: Awakening is Messy). You won’t be able to take

inspired actions and create the life you want to live without

clarity.
 

I love clarity; it’s the start of everything.


That's why I love  EFT/Tapping  so much. I know I mention this

technique often in my blogs: Because it works for clearing

limiting beliefs and inner conflicts that keep us stuck! I've seen

amazing results for myself and my clients since I found

EFT/Tapping. Of course it's taken dedication to doing the work

and lots of introspection and tapping, but since I started

incorporating EFT/ Tapping, along with meditation and other

tools, the transformation in my life and the lives of my clients

astounds me.



Check out Carol Look's coaching program: Clarity in Action.


Carol is an EFT/Tapping Master who has decades of experience

helping clients show up for themselves by teaching them to

clear behaviors and fears that get in the way of clarity.

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3.  Aligning your energy:  I've co-created a spring equinox Co-

Creative Mandalas Oracle Card spread & journal prompts to

help you connect with your own inner wisdom,  gain insight into

your deeper thoughts & feelings, and 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 of spring's powerful growth energy.

Spring Equinox 2021 Oracle Card Reading
File Size: 423 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Your power to grow & evolve, to Awaken and realize your winter

dreams–is reborn in spring. This is a time of pure potential.

Anything is possible in your life right now. This Co-Creative

Mandala, "Awakening", from photographs of daffodils
(symbols

of rebirth and hope, new life and resilience, positivity and joy

and an appreciation for being alive)
  reminds us to be open to

possibilities, to be curious, to discover what is easy, playful, and

unexpected. Your work right now is to connect deeply with your

dreams. What do you want to nurture & bring to life this season?

When you are really clear about what you want to bring to life,

you have the power to channel the potent energy of spring &

create whatever you want in your life.

Picture
Everything and everyone has in themselves a hidden wholeness, a potential for growth, a dream of themselves.
                                                                            Dr. Rachel Ramen
Awakening Exercise:

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

Awakening and feel supported by your inner and outer

resources.  Honor this powerful time of rebirth, new beginnings,

and possibilities.


Intention:


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

within you and as it's reflected in nature. The Equinoxes are a

time of the perfect balance of light and darkness on Earth. And

this powerful energy brings balance into any parts of your life &

your spirit that are feeling a bit turned upside down.



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

'Awakening'. 



In a moment, when you are done reading through the

instructions, write everything that the Co-Creative

Mandala-'Awakening' makes you think of. Write how you feel

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

represent (sacral, solar plexus, heart, 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 'Awakening'

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

whatever is there.


Invest a few minutes toward allowing the 'Awakening' energy to

flow to and through your body.  Imagine that energy bursting

through your crown chakra and extending far into the heavens.


Imagine the 'Awakening' 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

'Awakening' energy is a radiant ball that encircles you.


Now, sit with this energy for a few minutes.

 
What about the 'Awakening' 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. Begin by reflecting on the following questions:

Take out a piece of paper and answer these questions:


    What new plans & ideas did you dream about over winter?

    What new inspirations do you feel alive with?

    What do you want to start this spring?

    What great things do you want to achieve?




2. Read what you've written:

Read out loud what you wrote in response to the questions

above.




3. Ask for support:

In whatever words come to you, ask for support from the

Universe/God/Goddess/Guides–whatever Higher Power calls to

you in this moment.


Ask the spring energy to infuse your dreams with life.




 4. Give thanks:

Thank whatever Higher Power you call on, for bringing your

dreams to life. Say thanks as though your dream has already

come true. (Because it HAS, you’re simply calling it into your

life.)


Don’t worry about getting the words perfect, or saying the exact

right thing. Just say whatever comes to your mind & your heart.

It’s okay if it feels awkward & clunky. (Remember: Awakening is

messy and takes practice!)


5.
Reread your words often:

As often as possible, read your words during the first days of

spring.  Then, release your dreams to the Universe, your higher

power, and trust that vision is  being drawn into your life.


Continue to do this practice as often as you are called to during

the spring months.


May you trust your unfolding journey.
May you feel supported.
May you allow you purpose to unfold.
May the portal of your heart open.
May you Awaken to Oneness.

I'm wishing you a smooth transition from winter to spring.


Peace and joy to your awakening heart!

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*Adapted from a meditation practice by Starlight Meditation (www.starlight-meditation.com)
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The World is as You Are

2/28/2021

0 Comments

 
Identifying the cause of suffering takes stillness
and a reflective mind.
                                                      
Byron Katie
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The start of a new year often prompts us to choose a word as

an orienting force for the year ahead. Usually, that word is a

positive vibration for who you want to become, such as

“intentional,” “purposeful,” “kind,” “compassionate,” etc. At Co-

Creative Mandalas we invest our attention and our intention

toward allowing the vibration of each mandala to have a voice.

As many of you know, the mandalas we co-create arise from

intuition and as they are created, their individual vibration

emerges for each month and collectively point us toward the

vibration for the complete yearly cycle. The vibration of

‘Oneness’ chose us for the 2021 cycle of the Grand Mandala.

After all the changes and challenges to our personal,

professional, and spiritual lives that came with 2020, ‘Oneness’

seems very appropriate. What is your vibration for 2021? Why

did you choose that vibration?
In January, we welcomed the vibration of ‘Silence’; be still

and listen, quiet the mind, trust nature’s process working

through us. So, a quick check-in....how is your ‘Silence’

practice going so far?


On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being--I’m fully in my body, fully

energized, focused and firing on all cylinders--
where are you

right now? If you’re not 10 out of 10 then, where's the rest of

you?


Or maybe you notice that you have more moments of ‘Silence’

than before....and if so, can you see that as a small shift?!! Cuz

it is!!!



And if you haven't gotten into the habit yet of tapping into

‘Silence’...that's okay, too! If creating new habits was easy then

you would make a decision and – VIOLA!! - it would be done!


But we all know that doesn't happen easily!


Until that day comes be gentle with yourself, set up reminders to

be still and listen, take a breath, notice  the things that hijack

your well-being and the things that help you grow. Put a sticky

note on your bathroom mirror or set up notifications on your

phone to remind you to BREATHE. Do whatever it takes until it's

a habit.


For February, we welcomed the vibration of ‘Reflection’. I love

the multiple meanings of 'Reflection':



  1. The act of self-evaluation, the inner process of understanding yourself and your Self and becoming more conscious of who you are, your values, your hopes, your dreams, your thoughts, feelings, and results of your actions.
  2. Clearing your mind so, like a polished mirror, it reveals your true nature and the consequences of actions that both hinder and promote growth.
  3. Seeing the world as you are, your mind is the source of what you see “out there”.

Reflection is a path of self-empowerment. It’s a journey through

which we take responsibility for how we think and act, and

discover deeper insights regarding what we do and do not want

in our lives.


Spiritual reflection is any form of personal spiritual practice –

mental reflection, inner stillness -silence, and deep listening

practices. It is the recollection, the practice of, the continual

awareness of 'Oneness'.


You know if you're deeply listening in an inner-connected way

when you:



  • Love your whole self, including the layers of yourself that you see as flawed.   
  • Pay attention to your experience in a different way–without anticipation or judgment–to gain a new perspective.    
  • Understand that “love’s not a feeling, it’s an ability” (Steve Carroll from “Dan in Real Live”) and it takes practice.
  • Reflect on the love others have given you, and how it has shaped your life


You likely already incorporate ‘Reflection’ practices in your life

that support deep listening and connection to ‘Oneness’

including meditation, Yoga, breath-work, journalling, and the

many energy modalities. Michael Gross, author of The

Wingman’s Guide to Positivity
,
offers simple practices that

use our minds and inner-resources to live the life of our

choosing.These “just a minute a day” mindset changes are

easily incorporated into your daily routine:


  • Eliminate the shoulds, shouldn'ts, can'ts, don'ts
  • Celebrate others' joy, good fortune, happiness
  • Congratulate yourself, give yourself a gold star
  • If you're hanging on by a thread, love the thread
  • "A day without laughter is a wasted day." Charlie Chaplin


Bottom line, catch the negative thoughts before you go down

the rabbit hole. Allow the feelings to come up so they can

dissolve. When you're in a place of uncertainty, doubt or, fear,

here's a tool you can try for turning toward ‘Oneness’:


Come up with a mantra, an affirmation, you can say to yourself

every time you become aware that you’re traveling down the

rabbit hole. Saying the mantra will stop negative thoughts in

their tracks.


My mantra is "may I know peace". Feel free to use it too or say

something that resonates more with you. A phrase that shifts

your attention toward your desired feeling and stops the story

you're telling yourself, and reminds you of ‘Oneness’.



This is the time to reflect on the ways that the changing season

effects us, our attitudes, our energy, and our focus.  On

February 1st, we reached the mid-point between winter and

spring. At the time I thought, “only half way through winter?!”

Now, there are just twenty days until the first day of spring.  This

is an important time for treating yourself with great love and

compassion, to deeply nurture yourself, and to spend some

lovely reflection time just being in the gentle calm and stillness.

And, for connecting with nature’s “emerging design”.


Picture
Have you noticed the subtle signs of the Earth starting to wake

up? Even though it may still be quite cold (at least where I am in

Colorado), you may start to see glimmers of nature waking up.

The old maple tree out front is starting to bud and the grape

hyacinth are poking their bright green leaves out of the ground.

What shifts are you noticing? Are there any signs of new life

sprouting outside where you live?


Do you see any signs of new beginnings stirring in your own

life?


Spring is coming, and bringing new life & new beginnings. But in

order to begin something new, something has to change. To

change, you have to leave behind what is safe & comfortable.

You have to gently nudge yourself to grow in new ways.


Following nature’s lead, this is the time to allow inspiration to stir

within you; a call to allow your inner transformations to come

forth so you can grow into the highest and best version of

yourself in 2021. Danu Forest says it best here.


To call in inspiration is to begin to see our life infused with spirit, to discover a new or renewed vision for greater creativity on all levels. To call in healing is to resolve the things that hold us back or limit our potential. We all have parts of our lives and bodies that need healing, and to give this aspect of ourselves a boost at this time of the year sets us up for a more empowered and happier future.
                                                        Danu Forest, The Magical Year
It’s no accident you’re here now – awakened, ready to serve

humanity with your message and your offerings and your

presence. Are you feeling the change that has already begun for

2021? History is being made right here and right now.


There is only question to ask yourself...“What is my part in

it? ”What do I choose to do to co-create a new beginning for a

better future for myself and for the world"?


One of our individual and collective spiritual tasks over winter is

to integrate everything we learned during the past year. That's

one of the main reasons for winter's rest; to reflect on and

absorb the wisdom from all our experiences in 2020. This Co-

Creative Mandala--'Reflection' from a photo of violas (they are

just emerging) reminds us to invest the time necessary for self-

reflection on the past as we move toward the future.

Picture
Inner and outer energy are rising. Just like everything in nature, you have a unique pattern of wholeness.
Reflect on this awareness
and allow your full potential to emerge.

Reflection Exercise:

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

Reflection 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 reflect on the emerging energy,

within you and as it's reflected in nature. Spring isn't quite here,

and yet, there are signs of what is on the horizon. We have a

few days before the first day of spring, so it's important to invest

this time toward letting go of anything that is holding us back

and open ourselves to our emerging potential.



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

'Reflection'. 



In a moment, when you are done reading through the

instructions, write everything that the Co-Creative

Mandala-'Reflection' makes you think of. Write how you feel

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

represent (solar plexus, heart, 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 'Reflection'

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

whatever is there.


Invest a few minutes toward allowing the 'Reflection' energy to

flow to and through your body.  Imagine that energy bursting

through your crown chakra and extending far into the heavens.


Imagine the 'Reflection' 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

'Reflection' energy is a radiant ball that encircles you.


Now, sit with this energy for a few minutes.

 
What about the 'Reflection' 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 answer this question:

    
What challenges did I face last year?



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

     you.


3. Next, answer this question:

    What lessons did I learn from those challenges?

   
4. Next, answer this question:

    What wisdom did I gather during my inward journey this

    winter?


5. Now write down and speak out loud the word, the vibration

    you choose as you move into spring. Why did you choose this

    vibration?



As you reflect on the end of winter's rest, appreciate the

cycles of nature.   This is the time to feel the inspiration and

potential rising within. What will this emerging energy bring for

you, for all beings, for the planet?



Is this the year you decided to remember your 'Oneness'?


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

the world the gift of your best self.


Peace and joy to your seeking heart,

Picture
0 Comments

Are You Listening to the Sounds of Silence?

1/20/2021

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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/
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Are you ready to embody powerful, healing Winter Solstice Light?

12/21/2020

0 Comments

 
Luminosity...like touching the very heart
of your being, your reality, your very essence
without a shadow of doubt.
It is a radiant, shining core of Presence-
Awareness, of Existence itself.
                                                                 
Angelo Gerangelo

The holidays are upon us! This is the Season of Light: The

Season of Shining: The Season of Dreaming: The Season of

Hoping: The Season of Healing.


If ever there was a time when we're longing for Luminosity, for

peace on earth, and for goodwill toward all, it is this year. It is

right now.


Humanity has been celebrating the turning of the earth and the

shift of seasons from our earliest days. The Winter Solstice is a

point of change for us, a marker of time passing, and a

celebration of both the gifts of the darkness and the return of the

sunlight.  Since ancient times, communities across the world

have gathered to honor and celebrate the changing of the

seasons. The Winter Solstice represents the ending of one

cycle… and the beginning of another. Celebratory moments like

the Solstice play a vital role in helping revitalize community spirit

and affirm health and well-being for the coming year. Celebrated

since ancient times, across cultures worldwide, Winter Solstice

(and other festivals of light) is an auspicious time of year when

the stars (and this year, the planets, too )
align in such a way

that the Light of the cosmos shines on the Earth - and our

consciousness - in a healing pattern for transformation.  This

potent concentration of Light brings Luminosity to our mind,

body, and spirit and guides us toward awakening and

remembering our wholeness ("holy-ness") during this powerful

and sacred time. Aligning with the amazing and transformational

energies offers an opportune and miraculous moment for a

profound energetic shift from darkness to light.

Picture
What rests in this darkness? When the darkness comes, the

stars begin to shine. Embracing the darkness, even dancing in

it, is an essential part of birthing the Light.  And in so doing, we

take a monumental step forward by mindfully shifting our

consciousness toward a fresh start in 2021.  As we lean into the

rich darkness at this cold, dark time of year we are tuning into

one of the natural cycles that support the easiest, most powerful

personal growth work we can do – It's Nature. It's the way our

energy & our lives are SUPPOSED to flow. We're just

remembering what this natural rhythm is. And honoring what we

need for remembering Luminosity--the Light that is both

experienced within and manifested in the world.


Many plants, like tulips, daffodils, iris, and apple trees, would not

blossom in the springtime were it not for this period of

dormancy. This is a period of true transformation. Are you ready

to be revitalized, refreshed and renewed during this amazing

time?


For over fifty years I've been celebrating Winter Solstice. I've

always loved those celebrations, the candles, the moments of

reflection, and the hopefulness that the rituals inspire. I invite

your to celebrate this time by honoring the darkness and

embodying this pristine and sacred Light and co-creating a

Season of Light for yourself, filled with empowerment, hope, and

beautiful dreams for your future. We have an opportunity to go

inward - both individually and collectively - and embody the

Light and healing frequencies available at this time, to heal

ourselves - and the planet - with sacred Luminosity and love.


We are moving toward fulfilling the greatest experience on Earth

– that of awakening to our Wholeness. Being with the darkness,

the silence, and discovering what lies ahead takes courage.

Your reflections may reveal what's necessary for the journey

toward the future. Open your heart and consciousness to the

experience of the Light pouring into the Earth and share in

celebration of the collective Truth that we are all Whole. Even

though we may be separated physically from one another - we

are one in Spirit.


Both darkness and daylight are critical to nature, and to our

inner and outer growth. Life cannot exist without both, without

the moon and the sun! The darkness offers rest, dreams, an

exploration of our shadow side, while the sun brings warmth, a

reawakening of life, and hope for another day. Wholeness

requires that we honor both.



I love Charlie Murphy's (1953-2016) 1984 song, “Light is

Returning"
. It's a perfect reminder that even in the darkest

time, there is hope. Charlie Murphy was a folk singer/songwriter,

a pioneering musician who promoted gay rights and challenged

sexism. His song is often used during celebrations around the

winter solstice. The lyrics speak to any person or any society

facing difficult times and still remain hopeful for a better future.



Here’s a simple journaling exercise you can use to

acknowledge the darkness and the light  (Adapted from a

presentation by Collette Barron Reid):




Honoring the Darkness

1. Meditate on what the darkness means to you, and the gifts it

brings. We have the opportunity to turn within, to “hibernate” in

our cocoons of warmth as we wait for the sunlight to return.


2. Explore the concept of rest. Without some quiet deep rest, we

would have no dreams, no growth, no gestation period. Rest

might look different for all of us, but it always involves

disconnecting from the pressures to “produce.”


Journal about what rest feels like to you. Consider what you

want to leave behind at the end of 2020.  



Welcoming the Light

3. Meditate on what sunlight means to you, and the gifts it

brings. With the return of the longer daylight, we’re reminded of

the life force within every living being. I love this quote from

NASA: “The Sun warms our seas, stirs our atmosphere,

generates our weather patterns, and gives energy to the

growing green plants that provide the food and oxygen for life

on Earth.” With the growing daylight, our spirits and energy rise!


4. Explore the concept of light. The Sun is the source of all

energy. We appreciate its power more when we’ve been without

it! Light candles or turn on the holiday lights that may be in your

home this season. Let it be a reminder of the coming return of

the Sun, and the gifts it brings.


Journal about the connection of daylight and hope. How can you

keep your light lit in the darkness?  Start dreaming about what

you want to create and invite into your life in 2021. What are

ways you can renew yourself by grounding and creating sacred

space for co-creating a world you envision?



As the Great Round turns, the celebrations along the way

invite us to pay attention to the natural cycles taking place

around us- and reflect on how they deeply influence and

enhance our lives as members of the natural world. During this

Solstice season, we have an opportunity to pay close attention

to how the lowest point of the Sun draws us inward.  Winter

Solstice rituals are often associated with release and letting go,

taking time to reflect on the past year, and welcoming the new.


This Co-Creative Mandala "Luminosity" from a photograph of a

dahlia reminds us that we are both the Light and and the

recipients of the Light. We all have an amazing light within. It's

time to let that light shine brightly to bring healing, love, and

Light to the world by acknowledging your presence and

purpose.

Picture
The gift of light we thankfully take
But not shall it be alone for our sake
The more we give light
The one to the other
It shines and it spreads
and it glows still further
Until every spark by friends set aflame
Until every heart with joy to proclaim
In the depths of our souls
a shining sun glows.

                                                       Anonymous

Luminosity Exercise:

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

Luminosity and feel supported by your inner and outer

resources.  Honor this powerful time of darkness and return of

Light.


Intention:

1. Connect with and call in Luminosity as a vehicle for

transformation and letting go of all unwanted energies.


2. Infuse your body, mind, and spirit with the energies of

Luminosity for the purpose of allowing shadows to transform

into radiant light.


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

Luminosity; "the state of producing or reflecting bright light,

appearing to shine".  What does Luminosity 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 Luminosity

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

whatever is there.


Invest a few minutes toward allowing the Luminosity energy to

flow to and through your body.  Imagine that energy bursting

through your crown chakra and extending far into the heavens.


Imagine the Luminosity 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

Luminosity energy is a radiant ball that encircles you.


Now, sit with this energy for a few minutes.


What about the Luminosity 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:


1. Speak aloud a prayer or intention that releases any and all

unwanted energies, beliefs, or thoughts that no longer serve so

that they may be dissolved and changed into the radiant light of

Luminosity. Enter into stillness, accept what is, and release

the burdens of this year so you can be a light in the world. Draw

in "Luminosity" into your body by cupping your hands  and

passing them over your entire body, from crown to feet, saying:

“I am a keeper of Luminosity".


2. Sit in silence and stillness for some time with Luminosity,

and visualize its warmth and light radiating out from your heart,

encompassing the whole Earth. See yourself as a burst of light

in the darkness. Appreciate the deep desire to connect with the

sacred – within you and in all of humanity. You have the power t

to create real change in the world. And this moment is requiring

that you step into your purpose, to be a radiant, luminous sun

that brings light to the darkness.


To the outside world it doesn’t look like anything’s happening at

this time of year. Life is still and quiet; there’s no movement.

And yet … deep in the dark, a quiet transformation is

happening. This is the transformation you and all of nature, are

undergoing throughout winter. . The daylight hours are short; the

trees are bare. Everything appears dead or frozen. You don’t

see anything meaningful happening. But in the darkness, hidden

inside or deep underground, a magical transformation is

occurring.


The winter solstice is the moment when the Earth begins tilting

back toward the sun and the days begin getting longer. In the

natural world, this season is the beginning of a new cycle of

growth. That makes this moment a really hopeful, inspiring time

on the Great Round; it's a time of infinite possibilities. The new

spark that is lit on the winter solstice, this tiny flame of

inspiration, has the potential to grow into anything.


The winter solstice is nature's reminder, that even when life is a

its darkest – as dark as it can get – the tiniest spark of light, the

faintest glimmer of Luminosity, of hope remain and will blossom

and grow into something beautiful next spring.


Wishing you joy and peace during this Season of Hope and

Light.  

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Integrating Thanks and Giving: The Source of Abundance

11/30/2020

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Gratitude is immersing ourselves in the greatness of life. It is the foundation of joy and satisfaction. Julio Olalla
This is the season of gratitude, a beautiful opportunity to

express thankfulness for all the big and little things that are

good in your life at this moment. It’s no coincidence that many

cultures marked this season with rituals and feasts of

thanksgiving! This is the time to express gratitude for our inner

and outer bounty, and begin to plan what you will plant when

spring returns (more on that later at the Winter Solstice). Taking

time to cultivate a gratitude practice, whether by keeping a

gratitude journal, stopping for a moment to give thanks to

nature, or simply moving through your day with a thankful heart,

are all powerful ways to connect with the seasonal energy.  This

season has two tools for enhancing well-being -the twin pillars

of thanks and giving.  Expressing gratitude and engaging in

service to others have a way of shifting our perspective toward

remembering our goodness and the goodness of all beings.


I'm taking this opportunity to share gratitude and appreciation for

you, our Co-Creative community. Even though 2020 has been

difficult for many reasons, I'm aware that I have countless

blessings in my life. You are one of them.  Yes, even if you don’t

read this newsletter or blog regularly, even if you don’t really

know me, even if you are considering unsubscribing… you

matter to me and my universe of energy.  Thank you for

choosing to be a part of the Co-Creative Mandalas community!

Thank you for your readership, interest, and support throughout

the year. It means so much to me!

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When I reflect on this past year, I'm so grateful for you – for

showing up in 2020 and dedicating time, energy, and resources

toward bringing more light, love, compassion, and joy to the

world. Thank you for being on this journey with me, as we seek

out ways to bring more love, compassion, and healing to

ourselves, each other, and our Earth. It is your willingness to be

present that gives me hope.


My experience is that when I show up curious, and hungry for

growth, it has the power to change my life and the lives around

me. In this time of change and uncertainty (there's always been

change and uncertainty--and both are particularly magnified this

year, right?), I will continue to share my humble offerings in the

newsletters and blog. I aim to be a resource you can count on

and find comfort in during the holiday season and beyond. I'm

grateful to be able to learn from you and offer you opportunities

to wake up to new paradigms and perspectives, expand your

consciousness, and grow!


For those of us who have been doing self-development and self-

improvement work for any length of time, we know the

importance of gratitude. Like many of you, I have a daily

gratitude practice. I read somewhere recently that the

foundation of self-love and self-care is gratitude! Practicing daily

gratitude gives us a deeper connection to ourselves, to each

other, the world around us, and to the universe.


As part of my gratitude practice, I honor all my feelings. I think it

is important not to try to force an emotion OR to pretend that I'm

not feeling what I'm feeling. Yes, even THOSE feelings. You

may know the ones I'm talking about...I'm guessing you may be

like me and in addition to feeling grateful, you are also

experiencing a full range of emotions this year.


For instance, as I'm counting my blessings I'm aware that I'm full

of sorrow this year, as I know many of you are. It's the time of

year that marks upcoming anniversaries of some of my deepest

losses, so it’s already difficult. I'm also full of gratitude, as many

of you are, and aware of all the blessings in my life.  Focusing

on just the sorrow or just the gratitude doesn't work for me. I

don’t want to ignore either one. I'm trusting that they can and do

co-exist. 


How do we find our gratitude when things may not be going the

way we want them to? Or envisioned they would be? Or you

experience outside forces not in your control?  Gratitude is great

when it's all going well. But what about when you feel --(fill in

the blank
)-- or you're not where you want to be in your life?

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Full disclosure: I've been struggling a bit for the past few

months, as have many of us. Writing this newsletter and the

blog has been a huge challenge (I had planned to publish this

on Thanksgiving day).  It's not so much the writing as it is my

intention to be authentic, to be real with myself and with our

community: I'm in two minds--gratitude and sorrow. It might be

easy to focus on gratitude without mentioning the sadness. But I

know I'm experiencing both emotions. So, I've been on two

contradictory emotional tracks for a while. I've made the choice

(more than once) to hold space for and “just be” with the

sadness (and the gratitude).


During the past year, my partner's health has been deteriorating

and I'm loosing long-time friends.  I'm choosing to follow the

strictest guidelines for social distancing. So, like many of us, I'm

missing hugs and all the joys in-person contact “warms my

heart” in ways that are indescribable.


I'm also aware how much other people are suffering. Their lives

are challenged in unimaginable ways, much more so than

mine.  I was raised to be mindful of those who are less

fortunate. I think many people were taught those values. We

heard things like “You should be grateful,” or “If you can’t say

anything nice, don’t say anything at all,” or “It could be worse, so

don’t complain.” So, I'm feeling guilt, too. The upside that often

runs alongside these sentiments is compassion, empathy, and a

desire to care for others, to be of service.


I understand it's a choice to “be with” all emotions or not. 

Sometimes a particular emotion might  overwhelm  you, and

then you don’t feel as if you have a choice. But you do… you

could still run from it or pretend it’s not bothering you. There are

all sorts of options besides feeling your emotions. 



I'm choosing to honor the sadness AND also be with the

gratitude and appreciation. At times this may be a hard journey.

It's comforting to know that I'm not alone,  that we are all in this

together.  It can be mind and soul bending, but we're going to

see this through … because "the only way out of this is through

it".


Here are mindset shifts I reach for when the sadness is present

and gratitude feels elusive...(thanks to Sage Lavine for inspiring

me).



1. FEEL WHAT YOU'RE FEELING

In her March 2020 podcast--Comparative Suffering, the 50/50

myth, and Settling the ball
Brene Brown tells us that emotions

are like tunnels, you have to go all the way through - if you get

stuck in the middle, replaying stories and hanging out in

emotional hell... you can end up exhausted and depressed. She

also invites us to give ourselves permission to be with ALL our

feelings. For me that includes sadness. Just being with what

comes up, that’s truly the way to healing and peace. If you can

own where your emotions are in each moment, even if they

argue with your positive, spiritual beliefs, this time will be much

easier to navigate. Feeling your challenging emotions will not

set you back spiritually, but it will create more space within you

for the light.

Sadness is NOT a happiness deficiency.  It is how the heart adjusts to loss, and releases imagined patterns of attachment.  Every time sadness arrives, the body has an emotional garage sale.  It releases what is no longer needed for the journey ahead, and clears the space to welcome in what your entire life has prepared you to find. - true happiness.  Matt Khan
2. EXPRESS THE FEELING(S)

Cry or growl or squirm around if you need to. If it helps to have

someone with you... call a friend and ask if they have 10

minutes to hold space for you to move through your stuff. Give

someone the gift of being there for you. Don't isolate.

Remember, we're all in this together!


3. REMEMBER, BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF

In my experience, I have to turn toward it and give myself full

presence and permission to be extra gentle with myself to feel it

fully. If you have high expectations of yourself, extra love is

going to be needed. Processing grief and sadness is not

selfish.  It's self-care. Love on yourself.



4. SEE IF YOU CAN PERCEIVE THE SPACE ON THE OTHER

SIDE OF THE FEELING


The Universe is made of space. We're wired to  consistently turn

toward the "beliefs" and "heaviness" in our awareness, but the

truth is, there is space all around us - and that space provides

room for us to expand in the face of life's challenges rather than

contract.


When I focus on moving through the feelings and into

spaciousness, I feel RELIEF.
Techniques like Heart Math

and Emotional Freedom Techniques-EFT-Tapping

support shifting difficult emotions, align mind, body, and spirit,

and  allow all emotional content more space to be expressed.

When you RAISE YOUR VIBRATION and get THROUGH the

hard stuff... you are creating more space to love and accept

yourself--and to feel gratitude.

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Accept - then act. Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it.  Always work with it, not against it. This will miraculously transform your whole life. .                                                                                Eckhart Tolle
 5. NOW, START WITH GRATITUDE FOR SOMETHING

SIMPLE


Maybe you carve out  5, 10, or 15 minutes today to create

artwork, write a friend an "I'm grateful for you" letter or email (or

tell them), or create a social media post you're proud of. Maybe

you take the entire day off and give that gift to yourself. Maybe

you make yourself your favorite meal even if you're eating it all

alone!


Gratitude is one of the key positive energies of the holiday

season. Even when uncertainty and disruption surround you, a

simple thank you can help bring you back to center.  Gratitude is

not only for the benefit of other people; it’s a critical component

to our own self-acceptance, well-being, and self-care. When we

remember to express it and focus on our countless blessings we

acknowledge the goodness in our lives and in others. In the

process, we may recognize that the source of that goodness is

both inner and outer. As a result, gratitude also helps us

connect to something larger than ourselves as individuals — to

other people, nature, and to Source, the Universe--however you

name the Presence that supports all life.


It follows that expressing gratitude opens our hearts to being of

service: Thanks+Giving: Gratitude+Service are the two tools for

shifting perspective. There are so many ways of being of

service… Maybe you’re talented in your business, you could

mentor students at your local community college or university.

Perhaps you could volunteer for a troubled youth program. For

others, maybe it’s being involved in a choir or something within

their religious community. How about joining a local organic

farm or community garden and doing some work there?

Whatever way you choose to be of service, it’s about

volunteering in a way that honors you.


What does service look like during a time like we're

experiencing now, when we may be feeling isolated or

overwhelmed? Remember, when life feels hard, we tend put our

heads down and go into survival mode. It may feel too

overwhelming to take on extra commitments. That's okay. Honor

your feelings. Take care of yourself, love yourself, and do what

feels life affirming to you. 



Artist and author Lori Roberts shares wonderful prompts and

ideas for targeted giving and effecting positive change through

service in her book Choose Hope, Take Action: A Journal to

Inspire and Empower



If you'd like to be of service, remember small acts go a long way

in helping others feel better, and that includes you, too! Take a

moment each day and ask “How will I serve another today?”



This Co-Creative Mandala, "Thanks-Giving" is from photos of an

abundance of flowers and plants. It is a reminder of the

countless  blessings we have and the many ways we can be of

service.

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Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.

It turns what we have into enough, and more.

It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order,

confusion to clarity.


                                                                              Melody Beattie
Thanks-Giving Exercise

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

"Thanks-Giving" and feel supported by your inner and outer

resources.  Honor this powerful time of gratitude and service.


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

"Thanks-Giving". What does "Thanks-Giving" 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 "Thanks-Giving"

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

whatever is there.


Invest a few minutes toward allowing the “Thanks-Giving”

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

bursting through your crown chakra and extending far into the

heavens.


Imagine the “Thanks-Giving” 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

“Thanks-Giving” energy is a radiant ball that encircles you.


Now, sit with this energy for a few minutes.


What about the "Thanks-Giving" 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:


Write out the following questions and answers in your journal.


1.What are you grateful for in your life? These are things that

will be renewed, replenished, and enhanced as you move

forward. What is one concrete action you can take to express

gratitude in your life? How will you honor gratitude and hold it in

your heart each and every day?


2. Who are the people you are grateful for in your life? What

would you like to say to these people? How have they

supported your growth? What are ways that you can express

your gratitude to these people?


3. What are actions you can take that are in service to others.

How can you be of service today?



My prayer is that for those whose hearts are hurting there is

comfort and peace and gratitude. For all of those who are sick,

to recover fully, and for all of those in need of resources, that

there is relief right in the nick of time.


Let’s keep praying for each other and appreciating,  loving, and

serving each other. Not just today, but everyday.


Blessings of peace, joy, and abundance,


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