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Let’s Be April Fools, Together

Well, it’s Spring! And that means new life in many forms, everywhere we look. I thought it might be fun to have each of us come in with what new life is showing up for us lately and have fun with whatever medium wants to express; a story, poems, drawing, writing or spoken word… Change is in the air and new life often starts out with stirrings from deep below.
I am posting the Tarot Card, The Fool who represents new beginnings, having faith in the future, being inexperienced, not knowing what to expect, having beginner’s luck, improvisation and believing in the universe. At this time of the Pluto transit into Aquarius (3/23/23) which has the energy of the phoenix rising, right at the beginning of Spring; it seems fitting. (I could easily have added a couple of others as well.) More on that in our gathering…
Are you experiencing any related themes from your own personal life that you’d be willing to share? Whatever calls to you – authentically from your heart center and without obligation will be PERFECT! Please don’t feel obligated to show-up in any particular way. I do ask that you invite your vulnerability and curiosity along though.
Bring your favorite or most outlandish cup with your favorite beverage for this locally remote tea party and we will cut loose in the best possible ways!!
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Fall Brings Change

November seems to be ripe energetically for quick and sharp changes for the purpose of realignment. That sure qualifies in my world! How about you? I appreciated the Lee Harris November Energy Update arriving in my email on the 1st – it was so validating! If you are interested, here is the link and you can skip through the promo bits at the end.)
On the first day of November, I encountered an issue with a person that felt like walking into a minefield. It was definitely a power shift I couldn’t have anticipated and it has no obvious “win-win” remedy. It was also at the worst logistical time, and that’s life – ever moving, shifting, and changing.

The inflammatory issue with this person for me was at the edge of overwhelming, and then progressed from there to the point where I did my best to manage my fear responses and the needed communication. I found that “floaty” place where I know there’s nothing else I can do, it’s not in my control and it’s going to be what it’s going to be. A feeling between the acknowledgement of powerlessness to control outcomes and complete tranquility, meets sadness and grief. It was a relief to be sure, from what I had been feeling. So humbling to recognize and accept my limits and allow my ego to rest.

I have been remembering my tools to center and ground and they are more essential than before, and yet to be honest; I felt flooded by so much intensity that it was like being lost in a dream. It was difficult to gain my traction. The actual experience of something is so different from the intellectual dialogue about it! I remembered my IFS (Internal Family Systems) training to maintain an awareness of the sensations, where they are in my body, and track them with compassionate curiosity; and that helped keep me from sinking into full on “flounder”.

I share this encounter with you because it may be supportive somehow; to disclose a process and dynamic that may be unfolding in your life or around your life. In my case, I recognize as I track my response patterns; that I have a tendency to take full responsibility for everything, then show up as best I can to get through it, and then realize the bigger picture value of the shift. Now, as I reflect on this situation, I am feeling it “directed” toward someone else and I am affected “by association”. I realize this is a “thing”. This will be happening to many of us as we are close to people who are part of a life changing shift or lesson and it’s imperative for us to maintain our center, our own stability and connection to Source throughout the process. Wow, this is a hard one.

This song illustrates my intense feelings. Blessed Motion by Annie Zylstra.

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Relax into the Pleasure

Here we are at the ending of the year 2021. A traditional time of counting our many blessings, time with family and friends, and of course preparing to call in the new year. I don’t know about you, but sometimes it can be challenging for me to call in the things that “I want” because I feel like, (a) I’m not certain what they are, (b) I’m not sure it’s “realistic” for me, the situation, reality, and/or (c) I don’t want to “get my hopes up”. As I tell you this I realize I have some judgments about that. Setting judgments aside, I am taking a look at this for myself.

Calling things into our field is most potent when it is clear and complete. Like asking any question, the answer you receive is dependent on how the question is conveyed. If I’m asking for less than I want or need because I believe it’s too much and I need to compromise, then what comes will be influenced by that. Sometimes, after many years of this pattern of settling for less than what is needed, we become numb to what our heart and soul long for and therefore what options there are available.

There is much courage in compromising and getting through tough situations for the greater good. However, how would one know if they got stuck there? Would that be for “the greater good” really? When you take a moment quietly to yourself and consider this question, are you willing to know the answer? I’ve just had a personal experience with this dynamic. I can see how I have been practicing this old pattern of fitting into the “allowable box” to make it easier; for myself and others – probably. But this is so ineffective. And, I wasn’t consciously choosing this practice, it had become a habit. You know a habit – the thing we learn to do without thinking…?

Thankfully, we have friends in our life who can and do distinctly inspire us to live more fully, engage more with life, take risks and find pleasure, satisfaction and personal growth. They are the ones who on occasion invite you to engage more on a level that is not “normal” for you. At that point we can choose to step out of our comfort zone, or not. And there’s no shame in either choice. Every choice is just a choice – not the “right” answer. Time to let that go…

When I am struggling with a choice, I realize it is in-part because it involves others so it’s not totally my decision; it helps to strip back any others in the equation and look at it from just my perspective of what I need and want. At that point I can at least be clear about my feelings, desires and preferences. Now comes the really important part; the meantime. And let’s remember, “The middle is messy. But it’s also where the magic happens.” -Brene Brown

I heard a voice the other morning as I woke up in bed; “Relax into the pleasure of it.”. This really caused me to think. First of all, to think about pleasure, what pleasure was it that I had, to relax into. That was different. Secondly, the use of the word “it” seemed to apply to many things, perhaps everything! What a concept! And you know what? At that moment there was pleasure; my warm cozy covers in the early morning light, looking out my window feeling the still and calm of it inside and out. I would have totally missed that otherwise thinking about the to-do list of what comes next!

All of life is in process of becoming something else; we call it transformation, evolution, or “the only constant is change”. That being said, there is a whole lot of “meantime” going on. I realize making peace with the “in-between” time and actually looking for the pleasure points in it – I find joy in many ways. And I also see how this is a new shift in my awareness. It feels more truly authentic, unapologetic, whole, and centered. It feels more supportive to Life and to my life; more honoring to those who came before me who made countless sacrifices for my life to be healthy and happy.

I hope your “Wish Lists” are big this year. I hope you pull out all of the stops and put it out to the Universe without editing, without compromise, trusting divine timing and knowing you are massively supported in your successes!