Shuffling Forward

Imagine yourself sitting on a park bench. You see many people biking, walking, running, or playing. You take a deep breath, completely relaxed with the sun shining down and  the temperature is perfect for the day.  Your eyes fall upon an older gentleman shuffling by. There is a pace to his shuffle, and a relaxed acceptance to his shuffle too - no hurriedness and a hint of determination too.  He wears an expression of contentment peppered with periodic smiles and chuckles as he observes the people, experiences, and nature around him. You notice he allows his heart to be touched by the joy of all he sees - a jogger's intensity, a couple strolling with their baby, kids playing catch, or folks feeding pigeons. He knows his distance may be far, yet as he is shuffling along, he has decided to make the most of his journey.We can apply this same mindset to our small and large, internal and external journeys too. Whether we are cooking a meal, rushing to an appointment, or in the midst of an ongoing self-improvement project, each will take the time they take - why not enjoy the journey in the meantime?  Often we measure our progress by what we see on the outside and forget to weigh in on the internal factors that contribute to our days.  I invite you to take seven minutes today to slow your roll down a bit, take in the scenery around you, and connect with your own delightful self. Know you are taking steps towards your desired end result, even if it is invisible to your conscious mind and sight at this moment.  Know that you are supported every step...or shuffle... of the way

Beyond the Doorway: Unleashing Your Potential in January

The month of January was named after Janus, the Roman god of doorways, beginnings, and the rising and setting of the sun.  In the first month of the year, there is great creativity available, independence to harness, and reflection to guide you. Which doorways will you be stepping through this month? What new beginnings are you planning? The energy of this month is one of action, deliberation, and forward movement, even if as a mindset. Use the energy of this month well - setting aside excuses, setting aside malaise, self-deprecation, self-criticism, and doubt.  Are you ready to take charge of your life without being swayed by external influences?   Are you willing to alter behaviors that hinder your growth?  Realize who you can be - who you ARE - without self-imposed limitations.  Have the courage to take a step or two this month in the direction of Grace, Harmony, Confidence, Balance, and Alignment with your Purpose.

Presence Through Change

 

Even though we know change is constant and inevitable, we aren't always as equipped as we'd like to be, to deal with everything that comes our way. From small changes like the mug we drink out of or the road we use driving home, to larger changes like shifting jobs or adding a pet to our household, change affects us on all levels, whether we acknowledge that or not.  It's important to know that we are ALL naturally adept to change. With support,  perspective, acceptance and detachment, we can breeze through our subtle and drastic life shifts with greater ease.

Additionally, we can ask a few questions throughout change to help us gain perspective, momentum, and ease in the process:

What opening is this change creating in our lives? 

What are we holding onto so tightly? 

What awesomeness awaits us after this change is in place? 

What chance is available to us? 



For more support on creating or living through change, you may be interesting in reading Nurturing Healthy Change.

Fostering Wholeness

When it comes to embracing our flaws and strengths unconditionally, many of us confront stumbling blocks. Not only can we be harsh in our own self-perceptions, we also can allow other people's judgments to negatively and unrealistically impact our self-image.  When we accumulate too many of these judgments over time, our self-esteem, self-worth, and self-love tend to falter.  While some societal pressures are helpful to maintain order and establish necessary boundaries, other standards around subjective topics like beauty and success often lead us towards unhealthy consumerism and low self-esteem.

 Yet, if we introduce practices like self-compassion, knowing our strengths, celebrating our successes - no matter how small - and learning how to speak lovingly to ourselves, we can embark on a journey towards embracing the wholeness of who we are.  Consistent self-acceptance involves kindness and a willingness to grow. The results bring about better relationships (especially with ourselves), reduced stress, increased confidence, and overall happier, more fulfilling lives.  We are enough, just as we are.

Finding Freedom

 

Freedom may be different for each of us. For one, freedom may mean being able to walk down a street at night without a care in the world...for another freedom may mean flexible hours at their employment.  Our idea of freedom can also change as we grow. As a country we have been built on various freedoms like the freedom of speech and the freedom to bear arms. Yet some of us have difficulty breaking free of our very own mental and emotional casings that we have wrapped ourselves in.  When we acquiesce to the prisons of our anxiety, negative patterns, and resentment, that behavior keeps us from enjoying some of the freedoms we do have - like the freedom to cry, the freedom to share our thoughts without judgment, the freedom to feel our feelings, the freedom to forgive, and the freedom to not be ok.  All these freedoms can remain bottled up inside, where we never give them their time of release, and therefore, we remain bound. Do we realize how pushing down our thoughts and feelings, confining our responses, and more binds us to our own ideals?

 

 

We all have the freedom to create space and time in appropriate settings so we can freely let these aspects of ourselves flow.  Which freedoms do you enjoy regularly that you didn't have five or ten years ago? Which freedoms are you working towards at this moment? Perhaps have a conversation with someone this week about freedom. Discuss freedoms you see them having that you may or may not have.  See if they perceive them as freedoms too.

Healing Through Writing: Nurturing Your Inner Resilience

 As we navigate life's challenges, sometimes the most profound healing can come from within by acknowledging our emotions, reflecting on our journey, and envisioning our future. In this post, we explore how writing can be a transformative process, allowing you to tap into your inner wisdom, encourage personal growth, let go of burdens, and cultivate a sense of healing.

Embrace the Self-Healing Journey

Writing has long been recognized as a therapeutic outlet for processing emotions and experiences. Doing so offers a safe space to unravel thought spirals, address unresolved feelings, and celebrate moments of triumph. By putting pen to paper, you embark on a journey of self-discovery, gaining insights that may have eluded you in the busyness of daily life.

Unleash Your Inner Strength

Through writing, you have the opportunity to discover your own resiliency. Documenting your challenges and victories can serve as a testament to your strength and determination and help you see and embrace your vulnerabilities with compassion.

Share Your Story

While the process of writing can be deeply personal, sharing your story, reflections, and epiphanies with others can be incredibly rewarding. Your story has the power to inspire and comfort those who may be on a similar journey or experiencing similar challenges. By sharing your narrative, you further acknowledge your experiences and offer inspiration to those who see themselves in your story.

Welcome the Next Chapter

As you delve into the depths of your emotions and experiences, take the time to envision the path ahead. What lessons have you learned that will guide you forward? How do you want to step forward from here? By engaging in inner reflection, you set the stage for a future imbued with intention, purpose, and authenticity.

Find Supportive Writing Groups

Search the internet for safe spaces like blossomingeveryday.com that offer individual and group workshops that facilitate healing through writing. Blossom Consulting's Write Your Story in a Day and Wisdom Writing workshops offer online and in person sessions where you are held and supported throughout the writing process.

Take your first steps towards a better relationship with you! Open up to the happiness, empowerment, and confidence that comes with inner exploration. These positive experiences will help fuel you to march towards new heights, brimming with possibility and purpose.

Promise

The dewy grass promotes promise.

The morning dew or just after a summer / spring shower. 

What is the world like as an insect on the earthly floor. 

Do ants, insects, and worms find the same inspiration we do? 

Or are they oblivious to the magic, promise, and life a bblade and sea of grass hold? 

This soothing color, the lovely feel of grass beneath the bare feet. 

Kissing Mother Earth and she kissing us. 

Promise - the warmth of the sun, the growth of the grass. 

What is promise - the expectation of great potential. The ability for things to shine and be upward.

What Promise to you Hold Within?