A beautiful, soft morning across the San Luis Valley to start my day.
We are part of a natural flow of experiences in which all that we are really doing is allowing ourselves to participate in the flow. Gregge Tiffen in Deeds are Fruit, Words are Leaves (October, 2008)
Events, many unexpected, seem to show up right on time to benefit me in some way. I’m learning to trust more deeply that natural flow. Beneficial events aren’t just those that feel good or bring me pleasure. Especially when I look back, I can clearly see how challenging, unpleasant events brought growth.
I don’t always get to that perspective immediately. When I do, I’m able to meet the event with curiosity, gratitude, and (hopefully) a modicum of grace. It’s humbling and gratifying to remember that I and I alone choose how to walk through life’s events.
And, so do you. Life flows and we choose how to participate. As I prepared to participate in a somatics course this week (graciously offered by two awesome colleagues and Newfield Network), I was reminded that life flows in all directions. To paraphrase master somatics teacher, Stuart Heller:
Life flows up and Life flows down. Life flows forward and Life flows back. Life flows in and Life flows out. Life flows right and Life flows left.
Stop for a moment and let that sink in. Better yet, stand up and move in each direction: up, down, forward, back, in, out, left, right.
Life flows out. The course and the flow reminder were just in time for me to demonstrate the power of how we walk (and sit) through life’s events to a coaching client who was trying to figure out how to broach a sensitive topic with a team member. As we explored possibilities, I suggested that she shift how she was sitting. After shifting from sitting on the edge of her chair and leaning forward to occupying the whole seat, leaning back and opening her chest, she discovered a new range of language was possible to engage in the conversation.
Life flows in. Recently I’ve received several surprise presents that made my heart smile.
Warning signs sometimes flow into life to wake us up.
Life flows down. An issue with my health presented the opportunity to explore the depth of my conviction about my body’s ability to, with proper support, heal itself. As I scheduled acupuncture appointments, body work, drank my herbs, adjusted my eating habits, I realized a missing ingredient: bringing my belief and my intention consciously and clearly into the process.
Life flows up. So, I’m creating a new practice to engage all of me in the healing process.
Life flows back. As the bed & breakfast high season winds down and winter is on the horizon, I found myself experiencing some angst about money and completing the ‘get ready for winter’ list of household tasks. I needed to gently guide my thoughts to a track other than worry.
Life flows forward. Within a couple days of putting my attention on remembering that ‘all my needs are met’, I received a phone call from a woman needed temporary housing. We created an agreement that meets both of our financial requirements. In addition, she’s helping with the winter chores (a good thing as temps are dropping and we could be graced with our first snow soon) AND caring for Luke and our home while I travel next week.
Life flows. Stop for a moment and look at the events in your life over the past week. What do you notice? How do you feel? How are you meeting life’s flow, especially when its direction may not be exactly what you thought it would be?
Winter's white blanket is edging our way.