Meditation Thirty-One

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? …as we let our own Light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”

~Marianne Williamson

This little light of mine…     (song by Harry Dixon Loes, c. 1920)

Do you doubt that your power exists? Or are you secretly afraid of it, of how it can affect you or those around you? You’re not alone. Too many of us have put the lid on self-expression for far too long. It’s time to let the genie out of the bottle and spread a little magic around.

The best way to get the hang of letting your light shine is simply to do it. Give yourself permission to do it imperfectly. Practice. Experiment. To get the juices flowing, try a little scribbling on paper. Let your writing/drawing tool make contact with the paper and move it around. Lift whenever you feel it’s time. Repeat, making marks freely on the page. Think about your own special powers. If you don’t know what they are, ask. Keep moving your hand. Stop when you’ve had enough. Rest. Or grab a new paper and begin again.

When you’re ready, share what you’ve got.

Is this scary? Possibly. Worth the effort? Definitely.

My light is an asset to me, and an inspiration for others. Today, and every day, I’m going to shine!

Meditation Thirty-Two

What I dream of is…a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue.

~Henri Matisse

Do you long for cozy, pine-scented evenings? Lazy afternoons on a sun-drenched beach? Early morning strolls through a hillside meadow?

You may have a special getaway spot, a favorite retreat. But trips there occur far too infrequently to provide year-round relief from routine obligations.

There is a place you can visit anytime the need arises. Shakti Gawain, in her book, Creative Visualization, refers to this place as a sanctuary, an “ideal place of relaxation, tranquility and safety”. It requires no materials and costs only a few minutes of your time. It also goes wherever you are, because it exists within you, once you create it.

Why not make your own micro-vacation right now? Close your eyes and take a couple of slow, deep breaths. Imagine a place you’d like to be—anywhere that makes you feel good when you think of it. See yourself there. Breathe in the scents. Take note of the colors. Listen for sounds that soothe. Add any objects that make it comfortable and safe enough for you to be completely as ease. Enter joy. And relax. You are free here.

When you are ready, open your eyes and carry on. You can return to your sanctuary whenever you like, and make any changes to increase the peace.

I am now relaxed and revitalized, ready to face the rest of my day.

Meditation Thirty-Three

The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.

~John Muir

Year One of a major transition is filled with firsts. First celebration since… First night on the town since… First vacation since… The occasions themselves may be familiar but you’ve changed. Suddenly everything is new and filled with uncertainty. What will they think? What will I say? What if…?

There are a few things you can do to prepare for the upcoming event. First, get your bearings. What is the reason for the occasion? What is your purpose in attending? Establish why it is important for you to participate. This will help you regain balance and perhaps look forward to, rather than dread the occasion.

Next, anticipate awkwardness. And realize that you’re not the only one feeling it. Those who ‘knew you when’ may have some apprehensions of their own, and are making adjustments to the new you. As for everyone else? There are no guarantees, but you just might make some exciting connections. Why not anticipate a wonderful time in good company?

Finally, remind yourself how far you’ve come. This is just one more step in your journey. Whatever comes your way, you’ll handle it. You can. You’re doing it now.

I don’t know exactly what’s around the corner, but I trust that whatever comes my way, I’ll handle it.

Meditation Thirty-Four

ahhh, the quiet dusk of day,

pastel streaks in bold display,

long broad strokes of gray transcend,

palette rinsed, day at end

At the edge of darkness, Mother Nature calls us to reflect and to rest. With bold kisses of color she reminds us that the day, from beginning to end, is filled with magic. Then she wraps us gently in a starry blanket, turns the night light on, and bids us goodnight.

Before nestling in, take a few quiet moments to consider some of the magic in your life. What are you grateful for today? Keep it simple. Focus on the first few things that come to mind, no matter how mundane or outrageous they might seem.

Yard sales. Morning dew. New flip-flops for the beach.

Don’t worry about what you’re leaving out. This is a light dusting, only enough to spark your imagination. While you sleep, these positive thoughts will vibrate through your unconsciousness, create panoramas of prosperity, and awaken you to the miracle of a new day.

Make this a nightly ritual and before long you will find magic everywhere. In places you’d never thought to look. In every leaf. Each busy street. All hours of the day and through the night. Magic is in everything, and everyone, including you.

At the edge of darkness, give yourself the gift of positive vibrations. Reflect. Give thanks. And sleep well.

One day at a time, in the cycles of light and dark, I’m discovering riches… all around… and in me.

Meditation Thirty-Five

The music starts. We feel the urge. We move.

Why?

We’re part of the dance. How can we not respond?

Why are certain people, places and things put in our path?

We may not know. At least, not immediately.

I took a step, tripped over the cat and dumped his water dish. “Damn!” I thought as I threw down a towel to soak up the mess. “Just what I needed first thing in the morning. Now, what could there possibly be for me to learn from this? Slow down? Wake up?” Then it occurred to me that maybe there wasn’t anything to learn. Perhaps the cat simply needed water.

~Author’s Notes

Life is a dance, a series of interconnected events, one step leading to the next. It’s not all about our own needs. It’s not all about the needs of others. And it doesn’t always make sense. It doesn’t have to. As we recover, we begin to understand that we’re part of something larger than ourselves. Sometimes our role is simply to keep up with the beat, even when we’re dancing in the dark.

I am part of something meaningful. Every step I take is precious to myself and to others.

Meditation Thirty-Six

The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses.

~Hanna Rion

As small children, we probed everything within reach and reached for everything in sight. The world was one big sensory playground. We were innocents, curious and uninhibited.

Mostly for our safe-keeping, we were trained to be cautious. Practical. Grown-up.

We may leave behind our innocence as we grow, but the need to satisfy our senses remains for a lifetime.

Let us now get back to the garden. To marvel at the exquisite forms growing right before our eyes. Taste the sweet juices of life. Breathe in delicate scents. Feel the pulse of nature. Hear the spirit of harmony in a world not of our making. And learn how to really live.

I am a sensory creature. The world is my playground. Today and every day there is something new and exciting just waiting for me.

Meditation Thirty-Seven

It appears as though this band of arcing greens could fly right off the page. They’re grounded, yet floating like spirits. I thought at first they were reaching for the light, like most plants do. But then I realized that they’re already in the light, and are actually reaching for each other.

~Painter’s notes

There is something spiritual about getting together. Spirituality, after all, is about connecting. Like the plants in the painting above, we are grounded in our individual physical forms. Yet, we reach for each other. We know, on a level we may not quite understand, that we belong with and to each other. At home, together, is where we ultimately long to be.

So, how do you get there? How do you find the place where you are yourself, yet part of the larger whole?

“…the surest way to touch the human spirit—to find home, to find the place we fit—is in and by and through the practice of telling and listening to stories…”

~Ernest Kurtz and Katherine Ketcham, The Spirituality of Imperfection

By sharing our stories in circles of two or more, the invisible world of spirit comes into view. We gain insight, see who we really are, and glimpse what we may become. We find ourselves, and each other.

Share your experience. Don’t worry about how it sounds. The intellect of your soul is speaking. What you have to say is meaningful, just as it is. It connects you to us. To home.

Today I listen and share. I know now that my story is worth telling.

Meditation Thirty-Eight

Are we there yet?

Recovery can be a lifelong endeavor, one that requires us to continually plumb the depths of our potential. Much of the time we’re only scratching the surface.

Great. Just when your masterpiece seems complete, you are handed a brush. Instead of feeling discouraged, however, why not feel reassured? Intrigued. Excited!

You have, indeed, come a long way. But the journey’s not over yet. You are deep, complex, rich in untapped resources—a work in progress. There is always more to reach for, to explore and to learn.

The secret to fulfilling potential is to become immersed in the process. To give expression to that which is absorbing and meaningful. If you’re doing what feels right for you, the results will take care of themselves.

New challenges will surface, of course. But you’ll find that who you are and where you’ve already been is reflected in the depths. You can go further.

Linger at the shore if it pleases you. When you’re ready, dip a toe. Wade in and splash around. Take a deep breath, and dive. Immerse yourself. Enjoy.

My greatest masterpiece is a picture of myself immersed in the joy of a new experience. By doing what is most meaningful to me today, I am fulfilling my true potential.

Meditation Thirty-Nine

The Big Picture: wide-angle or closeup, form or detail, everything or nothing at all–what must I see in this picture?

Big question. Perhaps best answered by tacking on a couple more:

What do you see from where you are standing? Where does your eye want to go?

These are not trick questions. There is no one correct answer. We must figure out for ourselves what is most important to us.

Take a deep breath and relax. You don’t have to figure it all out today! Try this two-part exercise:

1. Turn your thoughts to your personal surroundings. What do you see? The people and things within your reach say something about what is important to you.
2. Ask yourself if it feels as though something is missing. If so, can you identify what that is? This says something about where you want to go.

One of the most helpful expressions to remember during major transformations is “Keep It Simple Sunshine”.

It is good to have some idea of where you’d like to be, and to make plans. Just remember not to focus exclusively on the horizon. Don’t miss out on the vibrancy and color that is immediately in front of you. All will be revealed, in good time.

I am seeking my truths and painting my pictures, but above all, I’m making the most of this day.

Meditation Forty

Life Imitates Life: The Story of Little Brown Bird

Little Brown Bird soared high over an open meadow. Attracted to the striking red blooms below, he swooped down for a closer look. As he hovered above the blossoms, he spied some fat, juicy grubs wriggling in the earth. He lit on a flower stem, and was just about to hop to the ground, when out of the tall grasses strolled a sleek gray cat! Hoping the cat had not already noticed him, Little Brown Bird quickly pulled the petals of the flower around his tiny body and then stayed very still.

After a long while, his mother (who had been watching from above) called, “Little Brown Bird, it’s safe to come out now.”

With a grateful chirp he stretched his wings. To his utter astonishment, his little brown body was now striking red!

“Flower,” cried Mother Brown Bird in horror, “what have you done with my Little Brown Bird!”

“It’s me, Mother,” the little bird called back, “And I have a fantastic idea!”

Little red-coated Brown Bird had realized that, disguised as a flower, he would not easily be recognized. Cat or no cat, he could safely gobble fat, juicy grubs at the feet of those striking red flowers. And he did just that.

Before long, the meadow was full of red-coated Brown Birds dining on fat, juicy grubs.

Until the grubs caught on, that is.

The world is a ball of perpetual change. Seasons rotate. Conditions shift. Life ends as it begins anew and old forms take on new shapes. It has always been so.

Life imitates life.

We are a part of this cycle of renewal, or recycling. As we adapt to changing conditions we, consciously or unconsciously, take on characteristics modeled by other life forms. These characteristics may be new for us but they are, in themselves, not new. They already exist. As well, although we make changes in the way we think, act, look or feel, the essence of our true selves remains.

As you rebuild your life, where do you see yourself? Who or what inspires you? What will be your next step to bring security, peace and fulfillment into your everyday experience?

I have many resources to call upon as needed. I am secure, content, and at peace.