Offerings During These Shifts

Here are current thoughts and offerings that are showing up for me. I share them here in no particular order of importance.

Love is a state of mind. This is a lyric from Fleetwood Mac’s Rhiannon that I heard today. I have heard this song countless times and today this is what I heard. Yes, love is a state of mind. It is a state of being. And since it is a state of being, so is fear. Fear is a state of mind, a state of being. I choose love. I choose to live in and step in love. I choose to cultivate and create love. And surround myself with those who do the same!

I am noticing my modes of protection. My go to responses that defer or deter, that are hazy and not clear. My responses that offer ease to the other rather than clarity for myself.  I caught myself early one morning last week when I realized that I had not answered a question that was asked of me. Instead, I offered a round about answer and aloof response which was clearly a form of protection so I would not get hurt, let down, or bummed. Yes, I am working, I am taking an active stance to be clear with what I want and what I do not want.

I am taking a class about supporting young humans as they transition into adulthood. While I do not want to rush this by any means, I am eager to offer guidance and assistance to them as the navigate changes in their bodies and the world around them.  I was asked to reflect on one piece of wisdom that I wish a mentor shared with me during this time when I was emerging. This is what I wrote:

The ability to be honest. It is okay to be honest. It is safe to be honest. Being true to you is what matters the most rather than being concerned about what others will say or think or how they will react or respond. I would like to guide my younger self that she can be at ease with being honest and truthful without fear of being reprimanded, shamed or punished.

*I cannot even imagine my life if I had this knowledge. It would be do different, for sure I would not be here now, for my life, the choices I have made and the steps I have taken have led me here to this very moment, sharing these words with you. Had I known this, then this would not be a new awakening for me, something that literally dawned on me the other day. (I’ll share more on this is in another piece).

I have heard Let it Grow, by the Grateful Dead two times in two days…..signaling to me to allow  time for things to grow into fruition. Growing takes time, it doesn’t happen all at once. And who is to say that it (this which I want) isn’t already here, buried beneath the leaves or hidden under last year’s growth. Maybe it doesn’t want something grand to announce its presence, it is simply emerging in the way it is meant to.

Rather than trying to read into something, or read between the lines, I am taking things at face value- for what they are. I am not coming up with a story or an excuse for someone, I am receiving them for what they are. Actions, choices, words. Whatever energy is behind them is of the individual who is making the choice and it has nothing to do with me. It is not mine and it has nothing to do with me…This one bears repeating- it is not mine and it has nothing to do with me.

This juicy awareness came to me the other day. I continue to be in awe with how and when wisdom finds its way into my mind and heart and then out of my mouth.  This may seem common place and normal for some this is a real ah ha for me:

 *The two song quotes “Life is a bundle of joy” and “Eternal Joy and Never Ending Splendor” are both Phish.

I am focusing my attention on the here and now, noticing how my mind wants to jump in and control by planning how things are going to play out. With each plan my mind creates and when I am able to catch, I bring it back to the present moment, reminding myself that this is the only moment that I have and as I have learned, life always is far greater than what I conjure up in my mind.

Which leads me to this- I got on my mat in a studio this weekend. I have not been in a studio since before I was in India. My mind created all of these stories, ideas, projections, narrative, biases and preferences and I dropped them all along with my what if’s when I felt called to get on my mat and practice with a community in person. It was beautiful. Beauty filled.  The communal OM alone sent chills throughout my body. It was there where I set this intention for this new season. This season that is upon us, this season of birth and rebirth, of awakening after dormancy, after time inwards and restoration. After a time of healing and inner gaze:

I step into this season of rebirth with ease and grace, awakening to the potential that lies within.

How do you step?

Love You,

Sara