Do you allow yourself self-compassion? We are reactive human beings. Some are better at taking a step back than others. Some just need the expression to a situation in order to create closure or healing. But more often than not, we wish we could take back what we may have said or done in a situation where we were just trying to get our voice heard. We need to forgive ourselves now for that person, those actions and walk away learning a bit about who we are and who we want to become. Life is hard. There is no how-to book. We must walk through each day doing the best we can. So come off the hill, remember you are human and try again for today.
0 Comments
RE-Setting Intentions It has been nearly two months since the year has taken off. Where are you on your intentions? I struggle every year on the first of the year; it can be the most defining day for some and damaging in ways of lofty expectations that we and our culture put on ourselves. One day is not going to change our life forever. One day isn't going to have all the answers to fix every little thing that we thought was wrong with our journey previously. This year, I was stunned how many people were hosting vision, collaging and intention workshops. I have been doing so for over 25 years; remembering it was like pulling teeth to get people interested enough to attend in those beginning years. Today, there are too many to count from that I actually decided against hosting. I was concerned in what I was seeing as an unrealistic buildup of this mystical answer to one's perceived problems. So, today, I am writing to check in with folks. I am wondering how you are doing two months into the year? Are your intentions guiding you in the direction you had hoped for? Or are they continuing to put unrealistic pressures on you? Have you found a middle ground that works for you and your path? Or are you struggling to find a balance amidst expectations? The bottom line is that you are not alone in whichever direction you are walking towards in your intentions. I don’t know a person on this path that could tell you everything is measuring out exactly how they planned for themselves in the new year. That is just not the norm. We as humans are meant to fail, to struggle, to constantly pick ourselves up and grow from the experiences we face day to day. I am not saying that it is fail proof to set a goal and create a vision. Neither am I saying to walk through life blindly with no focus. I am just saying that it is wise to understand that you can re-set at any point as many times as you need to while walking through this life. When we change our focus and mentality in this way, we are more likely to find the direction that is meant to fill our soul and guide us to our true path. We are breathing through the process, rather than rushing to a finish line. This vision collage is our family collage. We as a family make a vision for the year, and then as individuals collage a mandala for our personal path. It tells a story with each person in the family's hopes, wishes and directions for the year ahead. But here is the thing; this isn't our only one. Every week my teens must make an affirmation card on an index card with the same format for their week ahead. They make collage and vision mandalas on their birthdays, at the beginning and end of the school year and often on other holidays as well. It is a practice, not a one-time thing. They have been doing this before they could read with images and once they could read with words. Sometimes the vision is so personal to talk about that this format allows for their inner most desires to shine through. Let's get real, do they bitch and moan about it? Sure, they are teenagers. But if you were to see their private spaces in their room you would see all these collages stored in their sacred space that we each have. At times they will talk about them and even mention when they see some things coming to fruition. I am hoping that I am instilling a practice that will guide them for the journey when I am not there asking them how they are doing with what they have on their path. Consider it. Consider making intentions a practice instead of a novelty. You have the power to re-set your journey as often as you need to. You are the author of your path and only you. Who is holding your brush? I know am guilty of handing over my brush to someone else at times. It can be so easy to get caught up in others opinions of our personal journey. There is so much unsolicited advice in the world, especially since the social media explosion. At the end of the day, it is YOUR journey. It is YOUR canvas. You are your most important piece of artwork. How do you want to paint your journey with your own brush?
If you know me well, you know I love to travel. I love change. I love to go explore. This statement couldn't be truer to me. When I go out into the world, I always see something for the first time. It sparks light, energy, and story. I want to share with whomever will listen to the journey which crosses my path and most especially the stories, stories within people. Everyone is out there living life in their own culture, design and paths. No two journeys are ever the same. I have endless stories of people I have met in my 52 years from Israel to Europe to the US, and I am always in awe. I never expect for the wisdom and story to mold me in the richest ways through each encounter. When I come home, it is different in so many ways. I am able to appreciate what I have around me more and I am able to see the depth of color in the life I created that dulled before I left. It inspires me to appreciate where I stand in the present moment more and it encourages me remember the intertwined world out there that I can forget about when caught in the day to day. You don't have to travel the world, but you can travel to another town. You can go explore a street you have never walked before. You can go to a café that you have passed for years, but never walked into. Travel in the simplest of ways or the grander of ways, but travel. Be open to the story around you and the story within you waiting to be told!
I feel like every which way you turn we are encouraging people to meditate. The benefits are proven to be reflected in better health and peace of mind in what is a very intense world.
But, what about contemplate? Have you considered this word before? What does contemplate upon mean? To look at or view with continued attention; observe or study thoughtfully; think fully or deeply about. How do you contemplate? Do you pause before life movements? Do you give your life the full respect of thought it deserves before jumping into decisions? The act of contemplation allows us to incorporate our values, beliefs and behaviors overall before leaping. Often there is so much more to the story of our lives than what we think we see before us. The next time someone or life is asking of you, take a moment to contemplate before a definitive answer. You may just be surprised. |
Next Women's Beach Retreat!Follow USOur YouTube ChannelAuthorAndrea creates, builds, and offers her teachings and hands on life tools based on her journey healing her body image after a 14yr battle and life of trauma. Her vision always is to help others live a full life with the journey they are given. Featured ProductCategories
All
Donate HEREVenmo
|