October 31 , 2007
Volume One
Issue Seven

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“Like a flower beneath snow in the winter, the Light within each of us rests, silently and certainly, beneath the identities we cling to in the world.  It nurtures, empowers, and protects us.  It waits for us to yield to Its comfort, direction, reassurance, and strength.”

--Dijana Winter, author of Infinite Self, Infinite Now
…A Journey into Peace, Power, and Freedom

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My doctor’s orders last month for a day or two of bed rest were initially met with much resistance.  I had too much “to do” I thought as I refused on day one to put my feet up as recommended.  On day two, I succumbed.  Then slowly, I became still and embraced the silence around me.  I picked up some spiritual books and began reading, then praying.  Feelings of calm and bliss overtook fear thoughts about my health.  A friend brought me dinner, and sat with me for a few hours.  My daughter called several times from her friend’s house to check up on me.  I felt enormous gratitude at being cared for, especially when feeling so vulnerable. 

Yet, when no one was there in the early morning hours, I received another gift as well.  In my quiet, I started hearing all sorts of whispers from my soul.  Messages about my worth came forth.  Happy scenes from my life played out.  Memories emerged of my dad telling me, “If you have your health, you have everything.”  Then, I thought of my dear friend who has been challenged severely by health issues for more than two years, and how my temporary setback was so minor in comparison.  I embraced gratitude.  All the stories that didn’t work out as planned, like my marriage, ran through my mind, too, with new lessons of wisdom and forgiveness in them, for me and others.  New hopes emerged.  Insights about my way of being in the world unfolded. 

I stayed in quiet for a full day afterwards, pampering myself back to feeling vibrant again.  Thankfully, my test results from the doctor contained good news as well. 

Yet, when I rejoined the world of work and connection, I was jolted back to “reality.”  My challenges came forth at lightening speed, sort of what my friend and colleague calls “bumper cars.”  They appeared to show me what will not serve me best anymore, what is no longer tolerable, where I need to stand up for myself, or where I ought to redirect my attention.  The “old stuff” clashed with my new peaceful reality that downtime enabled me to create.  However, I was able to more quickly disengage from discord and choose to set my intentions on outcomes I desired versus what I no longer wanted.
 
From this poignant experience, along with others that have crossed my path recently, it is clear to me that to keep creating anew, I need to make it a daily practice to allow time for whispers from the soul.  So now, I begin each morning by drawing or journaling.  The pictures and words that come forth provide me as much guidance as all the directing I tried “to do” from my rational mind before.  Fifteen minutes a day minimum of “soul time” centers me, allowing me to be more present to myself and to others.  This precious quiet slot in my life has become more important than that cup of coffee or run to the gym.  It keeps me connected to myself and higher guidance, too. 

Whispers are available to all of us.  They arrive most often (or at least that is when we allow ourselves to hear them) when we become still.  A wise client of mine described her own “whisper” that arrived shortly after she landed a new job.  With her permission, I share it with you.  Her inner voice said, “Have the courage to feel joy.”

With gratitude,

Gail

What Staying Put Teaches Us:
You May Never Look at a Sick Day
the Same Way Again

With flu season upon us, it is important to stay connected to your health, washing your hands frequently, giving yourself the rest you need, eating nutritionally-balanced meals and exercising.

However, should you get sick (and I don’t recommend illness as a way to get needed downtime for those of you with busy lives) find a way to listen to your soul versus distract your mind.  Instead of clicking on the TV, is there some quiet activity you could do?  Can you keep a pen and paper by your bedside and record a dream that may occur, or jot down all the clearing thoughts that may have passed through while lying still?  Is there a friend you can chat with uninterrupted who you haven’t connected with in a while?  Is there something you can pray about, where you can allow the answers to come to you while you are still and in listening mode versus will them?  Is there some part of your body or soul that needs to be nurtured in ways it hasn’t in a long time?  Are naps more important than checking in with all the things on the “to do” list?   Are there some new intentions you could set for your life, and let them integrate while you regroup?

Most importantly, can you surrender to rest, trusting you will emerge renewed?  Is there some message whispering to YOU for attention?  Find the gifts in the quiet and you may very well create a new life story along the way, too.

BELIEF TIP OF THE MONTH:

Do you make any judgments about yourself when you are not productive in the world?  Have you built your sense of self-esteem on what you do versus who you are?  If you answered yes to these questions, you may want to try to incorporating some new beliefs about your worth as a human being.

Here a few suggestions:

1. I am valuable as I am.
   
   
2. My quiet reflective time is as important as my external productive time.  We need both to prosper.
   
   
3. I deserve to rest and replenish my mind, body and soul.
   
   
4. I am open to gaining new insights from “being” not “doing.”

5. Taking care of me is as essential as helping others.  When I am well nurtured, I have more to give from my authentic self.

COMING NEXT MONTH:

November’s feature article will be “Emotional Investments.”

To contact Gail:
(978) 887-1911

gail.kjones@verizon.net

www.supportmatters.com
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