Category: In Nature

The Energy Of Anticipation

When you look at the photo of a sandy track through the Florida scrub, do you wonder what lies just beyond the bend? I am attending a life changing retreat in the Poconos this weekend that reminds me of this path. There is an energy of anticipation, which I expect to be exciting. But the last few days my energy has been sluggish, listless, and I even felt a sense of foreboding. How can this be?

Old Energy Rears its ugly head

It’s as if my former self is fighting for its existence. The comfort of a lifetime of caring for others more than myself, giving, and giving some more would be easy to fall back into. But that isn’t going to happen any more. I’m clearing my energy multiple times a day, living in the moment, and building anew the energy of anticipation in a clear, positive light.

How did i change?

For the last twenty years I’ve been opening up my life. This slow process has accelerated during the last half of this decade. There are so many aspects that played a role in my awakening:

  • Journaling
  • Reading
  • Meditation
  • Reiki
  • Classes and more classes
  • Connecting to my soul
  • Chakra clearing
  • Connecting to my guides

How can you start to change?

Even if I listed every event, every modality, and every roadblock I overcame along my journey, it would be useless information for anyone else seeking to live their life to the fullest. Each person has their own direction and path, unique to them.
But I believe there are gold nuggets of universal truth.

Journaling and Meditation are key.

Journaling is pretty easy once you can get beyond your resistance. If you love good books, I recommend The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. Not only does she cover journaling, she walks you through many ways to open up your life.

Meditation is a little more difficult. When I was young, the only time I was successful at meditation was in preparation for childbirth, using the Lamaze method. In addition to the breathing technique, I was taught a meditation technique based on imagining a candle flame. It worked very well during my nearly 24-hour labor.

More recently, I have learned Japanese Reiki meditation where I connect to the energy around and in my body. My teachers, Frans Steine and Bronwen Logan Steine, have many wonderful books and recordings to get you started meditating.

If you’re in Central Florida this December, I’m teaching an Introduction to Japanese Meditation class. Stay tuned for more information or even better,  sign up for my weekly newsletter. You’ll never miss a blog or an announcement.

Warmly,
Dawn

Free to Be Yourself Anywhere

What does the image above invoke for you?  What is the first word that comes to mind? Do you think she is following the advice, feel free to be yourself? Do you think she is funny, quirky, silly, deranged, or entering into dementia?

My experience being myself in public

Of course, the woman in the floppy, purple hat is me. The picture missed the rest of my ensemble; pink skort, white athletic socks, and grey athletic shoes. I left home wearing everything except the floppy purple hat, which is a permanent fixture in my car.

There were less than fifty cars in the parking lot as I arrived at Bok Tower Gardens around 10:30 am last Sunday morning. I wandered along paths through the butterfly garden, children’s garden, and finally along the path to the tower.

I felt very free, almost blissful in my bright duds. The smiles and hello’s from the people I met verified my belief that the motto, “be yourself”, is uplifting both for the participant and onlookers.

One emotion missing was embarrassment. I felt comfortable, therefore the people who encountered me felt comfortable. I felt positive and they felt positive.

Take a walk on the free side

I challenge you to find the freedom to be yourself this week. Put fear aside, let your hair down, or put your hair up. If it’s freeing to dress in heels to go grocery shopping, do it! Find one way that you feel free to be yourself and go for it.

If you enjoyed this post, please sign up for my newsletter, which you will receive each time I post.

Thank you,
Dawn

A Message About Patience

As I sat on my second story deck, enjoying my first cup of coffee, I noticed a Great Egret perched on an old piling near the edge of the dock. He remained within my view, for over an hour as he patiently performed his morning ritual. This bird’s message about patience affected my entire day.

Nature is the Delivery System

I’ve always felt close to nature, enjoyed her beauty and found serenity in all aspects. It’s not surprising I find messages in the form of animals all the time. In the past I Googled “the spiritual meaning of…” and excitedly looked for the explanation that sounded accurate. Now I simply ponder what it means to me and the answer is there, in my thoughts.

Today the Message is PATIENCE

Why patience? Watching the egret this morning, I felt drawn to his behavior. He peered into the water at times, occasionally he stretched his long white neck until it was completely straight. The early morning sun illuminated his chest, neck, head and yellow bill. He seemed to stretch as if to gather more of the sun’s energy. Then he returned to his primary goal, catching his breakfast.

I found I needed patience throughout the day, more easily found through my message received from the egret.

Here are some of the events of the day that required patience.

  • The air conditioner wasn’t working properly when I got out of bed
  • My trainer was running late
  • I had little time left to get ready for another appointment
  • The usual traffic impediments
  • When I found a store associate, my desired items were at the furthest point away from me
  • The stoplight misfired adding to my time at the intersection

Here are some events that were gifts of my patience.

  • The air conditioner worked after installation of a new filter
  • I arrived 5 minutes early for my appointment
  • The appointment was on time and lasted a mere 15 minutes
  • I easily found a shaded parking space
  • Waiting at the stoplight gave me time for contemplation
  • My energy was positive all day

Patience and Living in the Moment

By focusing on practicing patience, I naturally lived in the moment. I felt no anger, whose source is past hurt. I felt no fear, whose source is the future. There was only peace in my body, mind, and soul. The Great Egret’s message about patience gave me a beautiful day and the promise of more beautiful days found through living in the moment.

If you enjoyed this post, please sign up for my newsletter, which you will receive each time I post.

Thank you,
Dawn