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SPACE: (S)pirit (P)resent (A)s (C)o-creative (E)nergy

Again I play with acronyms. Why? They help us remember ideas that nourish or empower us. Take SPACE:

(S)pirit
(P)resent
(A)s
(C)o-creative
(E)nergy

This could be outer space, or a space in time, or space between activities, thoughts, breaths. It could be dedicated, intentional space – time set aside for meditation or rest. It could be the sacred moments of space that continually present themselves yet are often missed as we move about in our busyness. When you notice the SPACE:

What magic is present?
What ideas magically appear?
What opens in you?

(*) For a musical invitation to the space, check out: In The Space (Lyrics) (Recording)

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Do you listen to yourself?

No one will listen to us until we listen to ourselves. Marianne Williamson

Today is the last of 7 days without anyone else in my home. My husband has been away and I have chosen many hours of sacred quiet without people, phone calls, television. I’ve reminded myself of the concept of Sabbath, of stopping work and letting it be.

And I’ve been listening to my emotions, the energy flowing in my body when I rise, when I finish an activity, during time with people and in the sacred quiet afterwards. I am learning – learning about Jeanne and what really delights her soul, empowers and energizes her, what makes her tick.

What I most notice is this: when I pause long enough to hear the message in my body, emotion, spirit and soul, I find acceptance, understanding, and appreciation for this woman who goes by the name, Jeanne. I discover very little need to be heard, to tell my story, because I am listening.

What will you find when you stop and listen?
What if you never stop?
What will be possible once you do?

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I Get To!

I have written on this topic before yet it is so powerful that I feel compelled to share again in this moment. A few days ago, if found that I was resisting the “task” of my year-end/year-ahead review and visioning. I was dreading it! Yet, I committed to you that I would complete the process and that today, March 2, 2014, would be the day.

The day is here. And my attitude is, I GET TO! What a difference attitude makes! What changed for me? For one thing, I talked about my resistance with my support team. They pointed me toward what might feel really good about the process. Definitely helped! Talking about it also made me aware of an old block in me: taking time for this very personal experience – something “just for me” – felt selfish, like something I didn’t have time for. Yes – you heard me! And I would be the first person to suggest that YOU take time for YOU, right?

So today, I get to. And I choose to cherish every moment. I know that, if I were to complete this task from an attitude and energy space filled with selfish, or I have to, it wouldn’t serve me at all. Yet from I get to, anything is possible!

What are you facing from I HAVE TO?
What is on your list that fills you with resistance?
What shift in you would help?

 

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Growth Spurt

I shared with a friend that I am going through a growth spurt. In a physical growth spurt, favorite jeans become flood pants and long sleeves reveal the forearm. The outer covering gets tight and uncomfortable and must be shed. Sometimes we replace it with a lookalike! Other times, this growth is an opportunity to try a new style.

Now, I am 54 years old and done growing taller. And, no, I am not growing wider by the day! But I am growing inside, reconfiguring thoughts, emotions, and the ideas that give meaning to my life. And I am saying “Yes!” to new and different activities, challenges, opportunities. In the process, I find myself letting go of long practiced habits (even the healthy self-care practices that have supported my journey) and activities and trying new ones. And it is SO exciting! Who will I be when I grow up? (NOTE: I actually don’t plan to ever stop growing!)

What about you?

When was the last time you allowed yourself a growth spurt?
What is too tight?
What is too short?
What is calling your name?

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One last thought …

Since many of us have a habit of over committing, of saying Yes when we want to say No, of responding from “should” rather than “truth” … I ask you to think about those “Yes” responses that are accompanied energetically by “No”. What happens when you participate, help, serve, give of your time and all the while you think:

“I don’t want to be here.
I don’t have time for this.
Can’t this be over already?
I can’t wait for this to end!”

Yes, we’ve all done it. And, we’ve all been on the receiving end of someone else being physically present with us but emotionally absent. It doesn’t feel good. Take some time to scan your life’s activities, the ways you invest your energy. Where are you a Yes physically, but a No energetically?

What is this costing you?
What is your impact on the “other”?
What options do you have?
Which are you willing to take?