Finding Unicorns

 

I have spent times in my life looking for the elusive 'Unicorn', the rare and sacred thing that would make my life better.  

There have been times when I was sure I had found it, but I would eventually be disappointed.  In my disappointment I would search again and the cycle would repeat itself. I eventually quit looking and settled for the mundane.

Recently my youngest granddaughter wanted to visit my horses.  We went out and spent time with all ten of them.  When we headed home she asked where my Unicorn was.  I told her I didn't have one.  She insisted I did and that I had to find it.

I bought a Unicorn horn, bond and determined not to disappoint her.  When it arrived I got my husband to go out with us so she could see the Unicorn.  He kept her busy while I caught up one of the horses and put the horn on him.  When she came to the paddock there stood a Unicorn.  She was so excited, she got to ride and lead him around. When it was time to leave she reminded me that she knew I had a Unicorn, I just was hiding him.

Wow!  It turns out she was right.  I have had a Unicorn all of these years...I just had to open my eyes and see what was already there.

No more searching for Unicorns, now I am just going to enjoy the ones I already have.

Walk in Peace and Beauty

Out of the Shadows

I have spent the majority of my life in the shadows, not wanting to be seen.  Attention frightened me, made me feel like I was being judged by anyone who noticed me.

I have learned that I have powerful gifts and talents...we all do if we search for them.  Part of the journey that I am embarking on this summer is to discover all my gifts and talents in order to strengthen them.  I want to serve the world I live in, make it a better place for all.

I am gathering the things I need for my three months of solitude and reflection.  My mind is already in the mountains as I wrap-up the remainder of this school year.

I wish for all of you the opportunity to step out of the shadows and embrace the sunshine.  Flourish in the sun's warm glow and become your full self.

I am done staying in the shadows. I am standing in sunshine, in the light for all to see and hear.

Walk in Peace and Beauty
 

The Past must Die

One of the hardest things that so many of us struggle with is letting the past die.

It isn't so bad to hold onto wonderful memories as long as we are able to also enjoy the present.  What robs us of living is when we dwell on past hurts.  When we do this we are not engaged with our current life.

For me this struggle seems to surround social justice issues: a liar, a thief, and people who purposely harm others. I will catch myself replaying incidents over and over hoping the outcome will change...it never does.  What I have found that works is actually writing down the incidents that bother me with the different outcome.  I allow myself to read it a few times and then throw it away.  Once I have done that if the incident rears up again I remind myself that I already 'fixed' it and to leave it be.

It seems simplistic and easy...it is not.   It takes work and lots of practice, you will find yourself reverting to fussing about the past.  When you slip remind yourself this to is a journey, part of learning to be present in the current moment.

Walk in peace and beauty

 

Brave and Magnificent

Brave and magnificent are two very powerful words and ones that we seem to reserve for only special circumstances.  I want to know why all of us are not considered brave and magnificent?

Brave, according to the Oxford dictionary, when used as adjective means ready to face danger or pain; showing courage.  When used as a verb it means endure or face (unpleasant conditions or behavior) without showing fear.

Magnificent according to the Oxford dictionary, has two meanings.  The first is: impressively beautiful, elaborate, extravagant, or striking.  The second is very good or excellent.

We all face circumstances that make us feel physically or emotionally crippled and times that carrying on is all that we can manage.  In those times it is bravery that keeps us moving forward and our individual magnificence shines through.  I will rely on my bravery and magnificence during my three month journey this summer.  So every morning and every evening I look at myself in the mirror and say, "You are brave and magnificent." three times.

I believe it is time to revel in our bravery and shine in our magnificence.  Look in your mirror and tell yourself, "You are brave and magnificent." three times.  Do it for thirty days and see the change it brings about for you.

Walk in peace and beauty.

 

Walking In The Present

It seems that much of our time is occupied by trying to figure out why something happened the way it did.  We want to know if there was something that could have been done to change things. When we do this we are walking in our past.  Walking in our past robs us of the present. 

Not walking in the present means we are disengaged with our own lives.  We also rob those we love of being fully engaged in their lives.  If we wouldn’t allow another person to do this to us why do we do it to ourselves?

The best way prevent this and also reduce/avoid trepidation is to walk mindfully in the present.  I find it helpful to take a mindfulness walk. I walk and focus on the smells that encounter, the sounds that tickle my ears, and feeling of the sun or breeze. I often hum a tune that pleases me.

It is important to find peace in our present in order to be at harmony with ourselves and others.

This is something I am working to master for my upcoming journey.

Walk in peace and beauty 

The Opposites of Trepidation

 

Trepidation: a nervous or fearful feeling of uncertain agitation.

Watching what is happening at the Capital of the United States brings this sensation about so strongly I want to throw-up and hide.

Trepidation has always been a part of my life, as it has been for many others.  I believe that it is one of the drivers for my need to wander and to be reclusive.  

So what are the opposites of trepidation and how are they developed? The Thesaurus lists calm, happiness, assurance, confidence, calmness, composure, contentment, peace, security, and bravery as the opposites of trepidation.  It takes purposeful focus and action do develop the opposites of trepidation as a more constant state of being.  Over the next few posts I will explore this deeper.

To get through trepidation in the immediate moment/situation here are things to help to help:  

• Limit your consumption of the news
• Do activities that tap into your creative nature
• Read, sing, dance, meditate, walk, any activity to release nervous energy
• Set a timer for no more than ten minutes and sit with your trepidation.  Feel it fully, acknowledge that the feeling is valid.  Release it by taking deep breaths in, hold for 3 seconds, and breathe out to the count of 5...repeat this 5 times.

Remember that you are peace and love

Walk in peace and beauty

Powerless to Powerful

 

I came to a period in my life where I felt absolutely powerless. I was caught up in living the life that I was taught to have. Hiding the fact that I was agoraphobic my entire life and had CPTSD. I was not doing what my heart called me to do. Working with people struggling or viewed as lost causes is where I find purpose. Listening, coaching, and teaching.

Is it our heart we listen to? I think we have a higher calling, a purpose that resides in our soul.  When we are incongruent with our calling we feel that.  It shows through in a variety of ways; mental and physical health, relationships with people and/or food, and the energy that we put out to the world.  It determines if we are powerless or powerful.

It is important that we spend some uninterrupted time getting to know ourselves.  Time to focus on our calling and how we can continue on that path.  In a busy world that is hard to do and easy to set aside, but it what must be done to move from powerless to powerful.

Fortunately for me I am going to get plenty of time to this as I wander this summer and I hope you will come along too.

Walk in peace and beauty