I had a wonderful growth experience this summer. It was filled, quite literally, with visits from family and friends, fun, adventure, excess and beauty for 10 weeks in a row. I rediscovered an aspect of myself that again and again can over-extend there are times this is a necessity and then there are times when I offer my willingness to give past the point of health and well-being. This was my summer. Come to its end, late August and I found my body and soul, every energetic fiber of my being was depleted beyond measure.
Awareness. I have reflected deeply on my tendency to give without consideration of depletion. It is an old habit to serve others first and then fill my cup. I continue to work on my fall back in this area and my summer experience brought that challenge full force.
What makes us each give beyond our comfort? There is a soft line and a hard line; my soft lines get pushed and moved each day as I prioritize and adjust to meet not only my needs but of those around me and to the commitments I have made. My hard lines are ones I set myself, when I am confident in my goals and set my boundaries clearly. Emotional attachment can blur the edges from soft to hard. We are often encouraged in our culture to give just a little more, and assume we will make up for it to ourselves later. Is this not the definition of success? Work hard and put yourself on the back burner?
Well, come September I was burnt toast. As I reflected on my own agreement to participate and invite in the depletion of my own energy, I realized that my boundaries had been shattered. I was short of temper and patience, moody and weary. It was time for repair, rest and renewal. My ongoing process for maintenance is one of self-care. I tend to my health weekly by seeing a fellow practitioner in a variety of modalities: massage, Healing Touch, Acupuncture, Food Spirit coaching and Heller Work. These modalities help me to maintain a high level of health and well-being. But in this time of renewal, what I found most helpful was returning to my core practice of gentle hatha yoga, mantra, silence and vibrational therapy to refill my energy field with vibrancy and balance. Use of essential oils became a daily practice and quiet walks in nature with my dogs helped too.
October became my clearing out. I joined a worldwide Whole Detox program with Deanna Minich, PhD that left me clean and operating at a high vibration once again. My affirmation from this program lives with me daily, I keep my body clean by eating pure foods. For me, the body includes all the bodies, physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. The foods include all aspects that I bring into my life, thoughts, self-talk, devotion, relationships, boundaries and the food I eat. I feel well, I feel curious, I feel vibrant and able.
So now to venture forth. I have been laying the ground work for my life and business here on San Juan Island for the last year and I feel the pulse of fruition, the sweetness of manifestation. Meeting new people, making new friends, connecting with the community and other healers, feeling the land and the sea with all its animals and spirits and learning, always learning. I am ready to bring healing to those I encounter in each and every way. I travel to Oregon this month as well to bring my gifts to those that seek. I am holding the clarity of the power of boundaries from this amazing and fulfilling summer, giving a lot, yet just enough.
I’m keeping my cup full, spilling sweet drops of honey onto each soul I meet.
~~ Blessings to all
