The world is asking us to come to our senses

We've moved into a new season this August, Imbolc, the first quickening of spring. I always feel this season as a fresh energy rising up. I notice the lengthening light in the evenings, the buds on the trees, the wattle glowing bright. The cold mornings feel enlivening rather than sending me straight back inside and the sun is beginning to feel warm again.

When I notice the seasons shift, which isn't always on an exact date, I take a moment to journal about what is happening within and without. The changes in my local area, my garden, my life, my family, my body/mind. What is happening right now? What is the natural world around me saying? What is quickening within, seeking expression? What intentions are unfurling?

If you are interested in exploring the wheel of the year and cycles further take a look at the Cyclical Wisdom Journal created by Grace Funk. It has helped me immensely.

Surrender to Change

There's an unusual clash here in Melbourne between the stirring of spring around us and the enforced hibernation of stage 4 restrictions. It feels like we are being asked to go even deeper in the slow intentional work of change.

I've noticed my despair about lockdown and all the heartache in our community feels a little less hopeless this time. It feels more like a surrender, the kind of surrender I learned in pregnancy and birth. A letting go, giving way to forces larger than me, turning towards the unknown rather than resisting, allowing myself to be shaped by the flow of life.

It's not easy! In fact some days it's completely flattening. I'm trying to keep my eyes and heart open so that my struggles can be transformed into meaning to be shared. I know my individual efforts are so important, and collective change is an even better goal.

The Fool archetype/energy is very present globally at the moment. I invite you to look closely at this collage and let the images speak to you... perhaps it talks of facing challenge or grief, of shaking things up, shaking hands with your shadow, falling off balance, seeing new perspectives... 

Awareness Within and Without

While we are living with more restrictions than we've ever experienced, I've been working on building my awareness muscle, both within and without.

Practicing my awareness within starts with observing my reactions to situations and responding lovingly when I can. I've been learning more about this from the wonderful Marion Rose. When I listen to my thoughts swirling (I'm stuck, it's not fair, I'm scared) I can explore deeper into my beliefs, and choose to believe my life is abundant, thriving, whole. When I'm screaming for choice, autonomy or empathy, I can value those needs by finding creative new ways to meet them. When I'm feeling alone, punished and unsupported I can find people to listen compassionately to these feelings, or recognise and mentally respond to the younger parts of me that may be reacting to triggers.

My awareness without starts with observing the living world around me. Wondering what it means to be living with the earth instead of in or on it?

"To be native to a place we must learn to speak its language" says Robin Wall Kimmerer in her beautiful book Braiding Sweetgrass.

Lately we've been listening to the language of birds. One evening we discovered a nest high up in the bare branches of a little tree. At twilight the baby birds were silhouetted against the sky and we clearly saw each little open mouth calling out for food. Later that week we found the nest empty! After tuning in, we followed the cheeps and found three little fluffy nestlings huddled together on a branch in another tree. They can already fly in a cute, wobbly way. The parents swoop and scold us with loud calls if we come too close. But what a delight to see. These are the stories and memories that weave the world and I am trying to listen and share more of them.

The Ability to Respond

I know I am privileged to have the resources to develop my awareness rather than just barely managing to survive. I take this response-ability (ability to respond) very seriously. I consider this important work, especially while I cannot continue with my hands-on work as an osteopath and doula. I am spending a lot of time and energy reading and thinking about what kind of world we are living in now, what is emerging from the pandemic, and listening to what the world wants of me. How can I use my gifts to support thriving life? How can I prepare and align myself with the change that is happening and is yet to come? There is no right answer. There is always a next step.

In this strange season of new growth, restriction and isolation, what connections can you find around you? Maybe where you are right now is the most interesting place you can be. In this time of pausing or slowing down normal life, what tiny new idea is rising within you seeking expression? Can you let it unfurl gently without squashing it? "

The world is constantly asking us to come to our senses. To new senses. To the unimaginable. Maybe the world also wants to make us a better place." Bayo Akomolafe
 
Thank you for being a part of my network and growing along with me. I want you here in my audience just as much as I want to be in yours. Our collective stories and change are so important to me and I am always thrilled to hear from you. If you know someone who would like to be a part of this network feel free to share my letters.

Sending much love and compassion to you,

Emily