This year has brought a sense of angst within me. Our family is getting ready to shift to the next stage and I have been unable to make any definite plans with respect to timing. Let me explain. Our youngest returned from 5 years at university in May which means there are now 5 adults living in our modest sized home.
We had always planned to renovate our home and transform it into our ideal vision. One that would enhance the incredible property setting we have with our spectacular view. We began to draft layouts last year and allow our minds to dream of all the wishes we have accumulated over the years.
What an incredible summer we are experiencing! Somehow as we arrive at September, our world still changes cycles. We are in the rich harvest time of our area with Farmers Markets loaded with produce and for those ambitious few who capture summer in a jar; it is a busy time. I love seeing the beautiful colours of summer filling my jars ready to provide nourishment throughout the winter months. On my to-do list are peaches, chili sauce, apple sauce and beets. Yum!
I received a reflective writing from Caroline Myss in my inbox last week that struck a strong chord with me. The article was inspired by the Orlando massacre however she brought it to the level of the collective consciousness which we can also call the collective unconscious and that had me take a personal look. If we are, at some level, one, then how am I being in my life? Are there places in my life calling for more grace?
For those of you following my posts this year, you will have noticed a theme. I embarked this year on expanding my awareness of healthy lifestyle choices that result in feeling more energized, happy and physically strong. This inner pull was motivated by new hormonal shifts taking place in my body that created a feeling of not being in control. I felt exhausted, my digestion was sensitive, I got light heart palpitations at night and my natural exuberance for life was hard to connect to. This menopausal feeling mimicked my early months of pregnancy when I felt exhausted, nauseous and overly sensitive to food and smells. What I knew was – it wasn’t a happy place!
It’s something we take completely for granted – our breath; and yet it is one of the most powerful medicines we can utilize for so many benefits. And, best of all, it’s FREE! Being conscious of how we breathe can have many health benefits while, on the other hand, not being mindful of our breathing can affect us both physically and emotionally.
We don’t see the world as it is – we see the world as we are! Therefore our perceptions create our reality. This is one of the statements I use when introducing the powerful personality system I work with called the Enneagram. The Enneagram brings ancient wisdom together with modern psychology to reveal 9 patterns of being in the world. Though we all share a bit of each of the 9 types within us, one is deeply part of our personality from womb to tomb.
She asked each of us to turn to the chorus members standing around us and tell them how Awesome they were. Well – that was effortless, it came with complete sincerity and lots of energy. Once we calmed down she said, ok, now turn to the chorus members around you and tell them how Awesome you are! Oh my goodness – that was a whole different ball game.
I am sure most of us are aware how much we reside in our heads as we embark on our day. The more I bring a conscious effort to bring my whole self into my awareness for more of my day, I realize how much I live in my head. I am getting good at bringing awareness to what I am feeling about what is happening and then I transfer it all back up to my head to try and figure out what to do with or about it! In the words of one of our Olympians it takes: “Practice, Practice, and more Practice!” After all – that’s how we got to where we are by practicing having our consciousness in our head. I may be making this all sound like effort which is the which is the last thing we need to add into our lives but really – my current experience is revealing that when I settle into my heart – my experience of life seems to be simplified, to become more clear and definitely become more peaceful.
It was the harmony that hooked me, however, there have been innumerable benefits to this wonderful hobby. The friendships, continuous learning of vocal production, stage performance, choreography and travel top the list. AND – there is a huge health benefit to singing as it increases your happy hormones and opens up the throat chakra. I found a wonderful article that I wish to share with you here on the benefits of opening your throat chakra.
I remember being asked once on a leadership course to write down 5 people in my life who have been positive influences and explain why. This was a great exercise as I could acknowledge the values and skills that I admired in them and wanted to expand into my life. As time has passed, some of these mentors have stayed in my life, some have fulfilled their influence and I have added new ones. It is said that all leaders seek out mentors in their lives. They become part of the foundation of our character and bring out more of our true light! We all play this role to someone whether we know it or not.
