Don’t lose sight of that if you start practicing yoga, or meditating, or studying with an enlightened teacher. Insights may begin to come. You may know things, see the future or auras, attune to the medical or physical needs in others, or experience any number of “special”, though natural, powers.
Don’t stop there.
Don’t get distracted.
Keep going.
My friends and I used to gather monthly as a tribe we called Moon Circle. Seven women getting to know ourselves, practicing meditation, intuitive and creative exercises, and supporting each other in becoming.
And one started to hear dead people. Another, animals needs and wants. One opened up her creative channel and out poured beautiful and inspired works of art.
My writing began to flow and come to me whole and complete as if a manuscript was dropped off. Like now. I sat down to write about something else which is turning into this – this message about the importance of giving what Spirit gives, back to the Whole.
It’s not for you alone.
Share.
Be bold.
It’s true that what you offer may not be for everyone. We are at different places in our development, emotionally and spiritually. But those who are just below you will be lifted by your words, your art, your certain kind of caring that is born from Divine Love and compassion.
Bring the peace you have found to a world in desperate need of it.
Bring the acceptance of self to others that they may feel accepted.
Bring useful information to anyone willing to hear it.
Mostly, share your Awareness with those you live and work with.
Quietly.
Lovingly.
In action and attitude.
Let your presence be a gift and your energy grace the space where you stand, whether or not you utter a word.
Embody your spirituality. Then, your path is for everyone.
This might seem like unusual advice from a spiritual teacher. I read memes and quotes that say “Don’t care what other people think of you” portrayed like it’s enlightened thinking or spiritual badassery.
It isn’t.
Not caring what other people think of you cuts off a source of learning, an opportunity for growth and one of the primary tasks of life in the Earth School.
I believe we are here with one another to grow, to learn to love more and hopefully, eventually to bring Perfect Love through us to this experience for all to benefit from it.
If someone doesn’t like us, is angry with us, or has a criticism, we have choices. Don’t care is one choice. It’s an immature one. It doesn’t have the courage to look at the opinion of the other. It doesn’t have the wisdom to discern whether the source is one we respect and may want to listen to or if it is something to just let move through us and away.
It certainly requires love and knowledge of the self to consider the opinions of others. We can start there. With gentleness we can begin to embrace the whole of ourselves – our history, our weaknesses, our abilities and shortcomings. When we know and accept who we are, we can take it when an observation is made from the outside and see if it is worth taking in for a purpose.
I heard in Al-Anon, “If someone said you were a chair would you be offended?” No! Because you know that you are not a chair. This helped me then when my wusband would be in a rant and hurling intended insults.
He once yelled “You’re flippant and lazy!”
“Hmm,” I thought. “I’ll have to look it up, but pretty sure I’m not flippant. Uh huh, I can be lazy. I see that.”
Someone could tell us that our decisions are crazy or reckless. Perhaps they don’t prefer our style of dress and make that known. Or they point out that our approach is off-putting. The possible critiques are endless.
Don’t care or…
Think “Hmm.”
Think “Maybe they have a point. It’s interesting that they notice this. Let me consider it. Let me filter it through what I know about myself and my own experience. Let me take into consideration the source, their possible motivation or projections. Is there anything useful here for me to grow and become more loving?”
This isn’t saying to live the life that others think we “should” or change who we are to fit in or anything of the sort. Sometimes what someone thinks about us is as untrue as “You are a chair.”
It’s about getting to know and love oneself. It’s being constantly open to knowing more of Who We Truly Are. It’s using this life as the school that it can be to further positive change.
Then, what someone else thinks of me becomes fuel for my fire and spurs the calling forth of my magnificence.
Wait! Before you make a resolution, set an intention or bust out those scissors for a vision board, check this!
Is your resolution a punishment?
Does your intention insult who you are now?
Are you coming from a place of desperation and unwittingly validating your fears?
Are you perpetuating the belief that you are not enough?
Don’t get me wrong. I believe in intending, and visualizing. It’s using the creative power of the mind rather than letting the mind create by default. It’s taking that Power Tool and beginning to carve a path to the heart’s desires. But a power tool in the wrong hands or in the wrong state can bring about confusion rather than clarity.
You are enough. You have done enough. You are where you are because of all you have learned and experienced thus far. You are amazing.
AND it is possible to continue forward momentum, or to course-correct, with Love.
With love for yourself.
With compassion for yourself.
With joy leading the way.
With the heart telling you what it wants, and by following that glorious scent.
I made a big change two years ago. I cut flours and sugars out of my life after seeing the glowing face and slender body of a wise friend in a pic on Facebook. I wanted that. I felt that, despite my attempts at body positivity, I was in the wrong sized body. Also I thought about food and what I ate way too much.
I asked my friend what she was doing. The answer was Bright Line Eating – which I am not promoting but just thought I’d end the suspense. It turns out that I was addicted to sugar and flour to some extent. It turns out that following that inkling, that listening honestly to myself, and that exploring what a trusted friend had discovered were acts of Love. I recruited a buddy to start with me. I was gentle with myself and supported (and still am).
I am not better than I was, or more loveable or more worthy. But I feel more free. I am more in truth.
I made a big change twelve years ago too. I left a marriage. It was an 18-year relationship – half of my life at the time. I left with love for myself, and him. I was following a call from within for a more intimate partnership.
I am not better than I was in my first marriage, or more loveable or more worthy. But I am in a new and beautiful place in life. I have grown and changed. I am more in truth.
What can you intend or visualize or resolve to create that would re-affirm your Goodness, your Wholeness, your Knowing?
What is your heart calling for?
What truth is in there waiting to be revealed and manifest in your life?
What if you resolved to listen more deeply to your Self and to Life, and to trust the process?
You may be led to just the thing you need, the place you are meant to go, the person who can help… if you are willing.
Life is like that. She is calling you. She is encouraging you. She is there for you.
Know all of this. THEN intend.
Personally, I feel like now I am being called to create more, perhaps to write or speak to share messages and guidance. I also think that my phone and social media are a time suck and distraction, and perhaps an addiction, that if I’m honest could use addressing.
So, how can I approach this with love? Well, I shall be gentle with myself as I learn. I am open to smart ideas that I have gleaned from others (like Marie Forleo and The Minimalists) and putting those into practice.
I am following a call for less of one thing and more of another.
I hear Life whispering.
I know that if I trust her I will be led more into truth.
I am wishing you Joy in your life, or Freedom, or Truth, or Peace – whatever it is that you want to move into more firmly.
