I believe that most people have at least one story to tell. Over the years, I have learned how important it is to be seen, heard and understood. Each of these are very healing. And, I believe that speaking things out loud, adds energy to whatever process we are in.
Sharing a story about a milestone in your life could be considered a mini version of a rite of passage celebration. Since most of our culture doesn’t formally acknowledge or honor milestones, talking about yours in front of others, is one way to document your experience.
Talking about a dream you’ve held in your heart for many years, will help to manifest it because more people will be holding the vision of what you want to create. And by sharing your dream, you just may receive guidance or help in other ways, to bring it to fruition.
Or you may simply want to share a story about something significant in your life. Years ago I realized that the best things in my life, were not planned. They came from the organic flow of my life. This concept is not something we hear about, as and adult or as a child. We are taught to plan everything, to set short term goals and long term goals and above all, to be logical and rational. I will tell you that if I did all of those things, only came from logic and kept my mind locked in a rigid way of thinking, I probably would have missed many of these wonderful opportunities and experiences: taking flying lessons, teaching yoga, doing archaeology for several years, facilitating women’s circles and honoring women in the Grandmother stage of life.
Each of these gifts brought great joy to my life. They expanded my mind, opened my heart and healed me on several levels. I was fully alive while engaged in them.
Writing for the Greenwich Journal and Press came from the organic flow of my life, too.
Starting women’s circles happened because I attended a circle while I was at a large yoga center in Massachusetts. The power of this circle created such a huge fire in me, that I immediately set an intention to bring them to where I lived, because I saw how necessary it was for women to have a safe space to share the things they were holding inside.
At the same time, many people approached me and poured their heart out, sharing deeply personal experiences with me. I was very surprised that each person ended with the same sentence: “I have no one to talk to about this.” And so, I trusted the enormous fire inside me, set an intention from the depth of my heart and within four days I found a beautiful location and 15 women who wanted to be part of women’s circles. This happened 25 years ago.
In truth, there are many ways to do things. We are usually taught only one narrow way. Sometimes that way works for people, other times it brings a person to a career or job that sucks the life out of them and deadens their soul. When they try to take a vacation, their employer does not honor the human need for ‘rest,’ and comes on vacation with them. This is wrong. This kind of employer does not grasp the meaning of ‘to vacate.’ If more truth be told, employers should not own people’s personal lives. That’s why it’s called ‘personal.’ These are just some of the reasons why people become ill. It’s because employees carry an enormous amount of work related stress with them, every single day. It also explains why some people walk around with no life behind their eyes. It does not have to be this way! Work/life balance is possible.
There is great power in speaking truth. I know that many readers understand what I’m talking about. Perhaps someone you know, came to mind while reading this. Perhaps these words apply to you. If so, I invite you find a quiet space to sit alone, without any electronic device, and go inward to seek your answers. Do not seek your answers from others or from the outer world. The outer world does not know you. Go instead to your own heart. Only YOU know what is best for you. Do not rush your process. Be as truthful with yourself as possible; it will save you a lot of time and energy, in the long run. If you need assistance along the way, let me know. I am here to help.
The goal is to have no regrets, when you get to the end of your life, to be able to look back upon it and say, “yes, I lived the way I wanted to live. And it was good!” Washte.