Happy Solstice to you, your Spirit and your loved ones. May blessings of love, light and deep joy be yours and may wondrous and magical adventures await you in each new doorway.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Radical Kindness, Now Please
For years, Thanksgiving was my favorite holiday. I love the fullness of energy with many of us sitting in gratitude at the same time. I practice gratitude so often it's save my life, so I've a certain obvious reverence for it. Gratitude is a requirement in my daily intake - like air and water.
I realized a few days ago I love the Christmas/holiday season for the same energetic based reasons - lots o' people practicing love with a little more intention and focus. As I looked at this, I thought again, this is how I try to live my life every single day.
This year, I made a deal to not put pressure on myself during the Holiday season as part of my trek towards being kinder to myself at all times. Many amazing reasons exist - like I moved recently; I'm learning more balance in general, including finding a productive writing/creating structure, financial, emotional and otherwise; the bulk of my peeps do not live in even the same state as I, and so on.
Yet, while sipping my coffee this morning, I looked around the room at all the things I felt would be good to get done/mailed/finished/made/created/wrapped/blessed/baked/etc. before Christmas and I found myself wanting a nap at 7:38 AM.
So, here is what I've decided:
While I shall absolutely enjoy the warm, love-filled feeling of all Christmas Holiday type activities/etc., to the fullest extent, I am declaring it Christmas-giving all year long. I forgive myself in advance and totally allow myself to go with with feels right and wonderful whenever that might be.
I'm not insinuating my alter ego Elf Rowan needs to die, or that I am refusing to celebrate this beautiful season at all, or that some surprises aren't under the tree or in stockings already. I love the scents, the foods, the sights - the glow - the ritual of it all.
What I am suggesting, insisting even, is that I love and cherish my family, my friends,myself and Spirit every day, period.
Instead of rushing about trying to cram all that love into a few dinners where people aren't present with their ever monstrous running to do list in their minds - or trying to snap together some serious "quality time" to share holiday cheer - nope. No more. I'm going to stretch the warmth of the season out to the entire year.
I'm going to go stark raving mad and send more real mail - a note here, a crochet trinket there, those kinds of, sweet, silly surprises.
When I think of someone - I'm going to get radical and stop for just a second and use Facebook or email to the power of good and send a note, or a quote or a silly picture, and I'm going to tell them I'm thinking of them and that I love them.
I'm ever grateful for the grace-filled gift of kindness and I'm excited about my new Christmas-giving everyday plan.
Blessings, love and light to you and yours.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Ode to Sit/Stay
I try, at least once a week to have an entire day that is only about me - anything goes. In fact, the only rules are whatever it is, I must gain pleasure and that I must not catch a glimpse of guilt.
One of my angel sisters taught me that downtime (AKA sit/stay for all you dog training speak people out there) is a vital way of keeping balance in my world, and that rest is likely one of the most healing zones in the universe for the core spirit. It is self care - not selfISH. This has been one of the most lovely and productive lessons of my entire life. Feel free to insert ironic giggle here - downtime equals productivity? YES.
Sometimes I eat soup (and yes, crackers) in bed watching movies for the entire day in my PJ's. Other times it's crocheting my heart out - or writing - or cooking - or reading - or doing 12 crossword puzzles - or going for a hike - or learning something about a topic that has been burning me with curiosity - or I build a mental a fort of blankets to block the energy of others. For quite a while, it meant two, that's right gentle reader, TWO naps in one day. I proudly call that my sloth period. I went wild one Sunday and took three baths. I may stay away from all communication technology - or not. My choice.
One of the magical parts of this concept, is that often, I will do one of the things on my to-do list that has been giving me pressure. Or (as my friend M calls it) J(z)enn day - pressure suddenly turns into pleasure.
This morning when I woke, I realized I needed to have a day to myself, STAT. It's not holiday stress - that's not my style, as I dearly love this season that is all about love - it feels as though everyone has joined me on my daily take on life.
So, what's up, Jenn? - that's what I had to ask myself. (It's always a good idea to actually get in touch with yourself, I've noticed here lately)
What I realized is that during this transition time from my recent move, is I've been putting subconscious pressure on myself. The garden needs my attention. I owe countless responses to emails. I offered to help a friend with her resume and didn't realize she had a deadline. I washed my sheets yesterday but they never quite made it on the bed. (Well, they are on the bed, but in a pile at the foot of it - unfolded I might add- I just pretended I was at a slumber party last night) I've got a list of gifts to make for people. I've had some incredibly deep, life-changing conversations recently that I've not fully processed.
Ring, ring. It's for you, Jenn - it's the universe phoning to tell you to slow down.
Doing, doing, doing is not necessarily being.
Sometimes I feel as though I need to justify J(z)enn days. Then I stop and ask - to who? Why? The more I treasure and take care of myself, the better off everything is. I even posted on FB that I was officially declaring this day as all mine. The responses were beautifully stunning - everyone told me to enjoy myself - that I was worth it. I assumed it may appear that I was isolating or even (GASP) being lazy. The real question in those assumptions is whose life is this?
Sometimes the answer is simply this: It IS all about me.
It is my greatest wish that we all begin to realize self care, especially when under pressure is the only choice - the only answer. Sit/stay.
Must dash - The Sloth Era discussion reminded me I need a nap and my soup is ready.
One of my angel sisters taught me that downtime (AKA sit/stay for all you dog training speak people out there) is a vital way of keeping balance in my world, and that rest is likely one of the most healing zones in the universe for the core spirit. It is self care - not selfISH. This has been one of the most lovely and productive lessons of my entire life. Feel free to insert ironic giggle here - downtime equals productivity? YES.
Sometimes I eat soup (and yes, crackers) in bed watching movies for the entire day in my PJ's. Other times it's crocheting my heart out - or writing - or cooking - or reading - or doing 12 crossword puzzles - or going for a hike - or learning something about a topic that has been burning me with curiosity - or I build a mental a fort of blankets to block the energy of others. For quite a while, it meant two, that's right gentle reader, TWO naps in one day. I proudly call that my sloth period. I went wild one Sunday and took three baths. I may stay away from all communication technology - or not. My choice.
One of the magical parts of this concept, is that often, I will do one of the things on my to-do list that has been giving me pressure. Or (as my friend M calls it) J(z)enn day - pressure suddenly turns into pleasure.
This morning when I woke, I realized I needed to have a day to myself, STAT. It's not holiday stress - that's not my style, as I dearly love this season that is all about love - it feels as though everyone has joined me on my daily take on life.
So, what's up, Jenn? - that's what I had to ask myself. (It's always a good idea to actually get in touch with yourself, I've noticed here lately)
What I realized is that during this transition time from my recent move, is I've been putting subconscious pressure on myself. The garden needs my attention. I owe countless responses to emails. I offered to help a friend with her resume and didn't realize she had a deadline. I washed my sheets yesterday but they never quite made it on the bed. (Well, they are on the bed, but in a pile at the foot of it - unfolded I might add- I just pretended I was at a slumber party last night) I've got a list of gifts to make for people. I've had some incredibly deep, life-changing conversations recently that I've not fully processed.
Ring, ring. It's for you, Jenn - it's the universe phoning to tell you to slow down.
Doing, doing, doing is not necessarily being.
Sometimes I feel as though I need to justify J(z)enn days. Then I stop and ask - to who? Why? The more I treasure and take care of myself, the better off everything is. I even posted on FB that I was officially declaring this day as all mine. The responses were beautifully stunning - everyone told me to enjoy myself - that I was worth it. I assumed it may appear that I was isolating or even (GASP) being lazy. The real question in those assumptions is whose life is this?
Sometimes the answer is simply this: It IS all about me.
It is my greatest wish that we all begin to realize self care, especially when under pressure is the only choice - the only answer. Sit/stay.
Must dash - The Sloth Era discussion reminded me I need a nap and my soup is ready.
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