Theoretical Entirety

             What are our influences?  Who impacts our decisions?  Where do our compulsions and preferences come from?  Nature/Nurture is the forever question.

             Being spiritual people, we need to add that cosmic element as well.  We must factor in the physical alongside the esoteric.

             It’s impossible to dissect though, the debate of who we are and how we got this way.  Of course that doesn’t stop scholars, scientists, religious leaders from doing exactly that.  Do we need to?  Maybe just a peek.

             To examine this age-old issue, to gain some understanding, is precisely where the Universe has directed us.  But, by altering our perception, we are asked to focus on

the whole self.

             In other words, it may not be to anyone’s benefit to try and break this down.  Recognize and acknowledge, thank and honour?  Yes, absolutely!  But assign blame or take credit?  Nope, won’t really help.

             What will suit better, and where we can gather more insight, is to treasure our layers.  When we take notice of the combined bits and pieces of who and what brought us to this place, we appreciate the depth and the richness of our entire being.

             Blend in our past lives, add those who parented, mix with friends and greatly admired favorites.  It takes all of this, plus so very much more, to craft someone as unique and special as we are.

             There is no need to strip ourselves down, we’ll learn more and advance farther by seeing the entirety of us, the compilation of the ingredients.  It takes so much to assemble each complex individual, and every single component has value.

             We are not our list of disorganized inner compounds and outer impressions, we are a whole and complete being, made up of many parts, all of which have combined to bring us to this place, wearing this body, and experiencing these feelings.

             It’s intentional, deliberate, and full of purpose.  In our gratitude we can witness the gifts and lessons which have brought us to this point.

 

 

 

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Practical Proceedings

             As we wander this path, seeking our truth and learning our lessons, we are asked to play a balancing game.  We are required to keep going forward.  Time does not stop, so neither can we.

             Our task is to find the priorities, and honour them.  To search out the bits and pieces which have the most meaning, and learn from them.  To discover treasure, and then hold it close.

             In my own personal journey, Release is foremost, the first obstacle, the highest hurdle.  It’s physical, it’s mental, and it’s even sometimes spiritual.  I am constantly in need of letting something go.

             For me, the quest is to decode what has to be allowed its freedom.  What am I clinging to, which now must be surrendered?  And how do I move through my life without it?  Where do I find this illusive “too much” element?

             Our message right now provides an answer, it shows us where to place our focus, it helps us discern what topics and categories should be on our repair bench, as we

process our healing.

             My personal example.  I have an eating disorder (mental), now diagnosed but no longer treatable as my insurance is gone.  I also have a chronic condition (physical), which has thus far been incurable.  These two factors are often at odds with each other.  To deal with one, I always need to consider the other.  And yet, their modes of mending can clash, causing a flare-up in one or the other.

             As we navigate our world, finding the path which brings about the most curative and pleasing results, we often discover roadblocks (or moneywalls).  One option helps one thing, but it makes another worse.  The other direction might be helpful, but not for all the symptoms.

             What do we put at the top of our list?  Where do we place our precedence?  And is there anything we can choose which will help us on multiple levels?

             My personal ranking, as I crawl ever closer to 60, has to be mental health, above all else.  I am no longer going to sacrifice my sanity nor my soul.  And this Universal reminder is an excellent validation.

             Because when we allow ourselves the time/energy to sit with the healing process, no matter the method, we immediately begin to notice improvement.  We feel the strength and the joy returning.

             We just have to remember, it’s a process.  Not a result.  It’s a journey, not a conclusion.

             And no matter what the effort, we’re worth it.  When we make the choice to allow our healing process to be important, we allow ourselves to be important, too.

 

 

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Going Full Forward

             Did everyone watch the Queen’s message on BBC at the New Year?  No?  Just me, then?  That’s okay.  I’ll tell you what she said.

             It’s also our new message, first of 2020.  Here’s where the Universe would like us to focus our energy:

Small Steps

             Her Majesty spoke of how little beginnings can often bring about great results.  How small steps are often the start of a grand journey.

             How a seemingly modest effort can often become the largest achievement.  How the humblest of inceptions can often progress to a massive undertaking .

             It’s so true.  When we are facing a daunting task, the easiest way of accomplishing it is to break down the entirety into tiny, more manageable jobs.  And when we are trying to make huge changes, it’s a much more doable option to begin with one little adjustment.

             Whether this applies to the environment, the political climate, our own spiritual adventure, when we break it down, it becomes a thing we can handle.  It can even turn into a lesson we can share.

             Join me and Elizabeth, as we strive to do better, one little advancement at at time.

 

 

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In Mercy

             When I’m shown a sign numerous times, or am directed someplace over and over, I know it’s a big damn deal.  This week was no exception.

             While my desk job is soon to be going through a huge operational systems change, I have been keeping the worry in my back pocket, trying to ignore the low-key stress I feel about how much trouble this will cause.  Simultaneously, I enjoyed some fantastic days off/family moments.

             This is my reality.  And I’m getting better at the juggling, the prioritizing, the putting one aside to face the other, then… switching gears.  I’ve worked really hard to get here, and it makes me proud to say I put in the hours, the tears, the pain, to reach this point.

             (I have a long way still to go, but the progress is evident.)

             My improvement is also being measured in the way I treat myself.  I’ve granted allowances, I’ve fashioned a sort of metaphorical shawl of grace I reach for when I start to spiral in a negative direction, draping it over my shoulders in comfort and tenderness.

             I extend compassion to my younger self now too, I look at her as someone who maybe should have been given understanding instead of being assaulted.  I don’t hold her responsible as I once did.  I have relieved her of the burdens she should not have been carrying.

             Who the Universe has brought forth for this lesson is one of my true favorites.  When she kept showing up (in SUCH unexpected and random ways), I smiled, and thanked her.

“Quan Yin

The Goddess of Compassion

‘I recognize suffering in order to release it.‘ “

             To live in honesty and with genuine empathy for those around us, we must show ourselves this same care.  We must forgive our younger selves.  Forgive our past selves.

             Once we move through and beyond the sorrow, the guilt, and the blame, we can often see an innocence in our ignorance.  To show compassion is to accept that we’re all learning, we’re all growing, we’re all trying to do better.

             Would we berate a loved one for actions they couldn’t change, or origins they had no control over?  Never!  So, it only seems fair we grant the same clemency for ourselves.

             Allow lovingkindness, first for ourselves, and then, rippling out into the world.  It’s what Quan Yin suggests.  And I agree.

 

 

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Feeling and Freeing

             A little over a week ago, I had an interaction with someone who was incredibly angry.  Now, rage?  I understand it.  Been there, lived that, still trying to shake it off.

             So, his mood was a familiar one to me.  But during that moment, and it was truly just a quick flash of almost-no-time, I was made aware of how useless this type of energy expense can be.

             We do need to feel all the feelings, but what I understood in that split-second was more about what we can gain from NOT engaging to such a strenuous degree.

             Here’s what the Universe would like us to focus on.  Once we make the connection, then it’s appropriate to

Step Back

             The observing phase is next.  All of our emotions are valid.  But none of them can be sustained.   And there’s a reason for that, we’d get sick!  Actually, we often do.  We don’t always know why, could it be that we’re trying to keep up a false feeling front?

             We can draw on our inner well of peace.  We can stop, allowing ourselves to . . .  Be.  We can assist our body by utilizing our mind.  By slowing down, calming our breath, we are able to take that Step Back and make the necessary observations.

             Of course this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t experience the emotions.  It’s simply an excellent way to not be overwhelmed by them.

             Engage.  Connect.  Then, we can Let Go.  Honouring (but not retaining) how we feel will assist us, enabling us to see from a perspective of knowledge.

             It might not be easy, but like so much which we can learn from, it’s pretty damn simple.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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