I was reading a book the other day that talked about ‘transparency’. It was referring to being completely oneself – authentic, honest, open, nothing to hide. That’s the easiest thing in the world, right? I think that for many of us, it may be the HARDEST. Why is that? What keeps us from just being - without trying to impress, manipulate, or alter someone else? The answer is probably some variation on the theme “I learned early on that who I am is not okay.”
Think of the toll that one perception or belief takes on our bodies, minds and spirits day after day, year after year. Wow! And now imagine for a moment the relief inherent in letting that go completely. As Byron Katie asks – ‘who would you be without that thought that you are not acceptable, good enough or okay?’ You would be free – “free to be you and me!”
Not only that, you would likely feel lighter, you would have more energy, you wouldn’t be so quick to anger or to blame - yourself or someone else. You may even start to appreciate some of the things about you that you previously perceived as wrong or defective. After all, those little idiosyncrasies are what makes you you!
And maybe, without that belief, we wouldn’t feel so inclined to argue for our limitations, as if they are badges of honor. If we didn’t believe we were defective in some way we wouldn’t have to convince others that we were. By not focusing on those defects, they may just disappear altogether. Wouldn’t that be cool? And maybe we wouldn’t look quite so hard to find defects and fault in others either.
One little thought – released - may be enough to alter our world completely. Got any others you’d like to let go of?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Year of the Earth Ox
Several have appreciated my sharing this from the school where I took my Feng Shui training - Western School of Feng Shui. I hope you enjoy it!
Happy New Year of the Earth Ox!
Depending on whether we track the Moon or the Sun, the year of the Earth Ox begins either January 26th or February 4th, 2009. As the Ox heads our way, we may be feeling certain inclinations that seem - well - different than what we're used to. This Ox comes bearing the sweet elixir of the earth element - the antidote to life in the fast lane. Dab it on your wrists and you become inextricably drawn to the garden, the musky scent of damp earth, and the black magic of compost. Place a drop on your forehead and you gaze through the eyes of tranquility. Bathe in it and your body becomes like the hills and valleys of Mother Earth, sensual and serene.
This is the year to Slow Up and get reacquainted with the mother we all share - Mother Earth. She's the one to cuddle up with when we feel stressed, ungrounded, or alone; dig into when we need someone's hand to hold; turn to when life's going too fast. Her solidity coupled with the Ox's constancy give us every reason to shed tight schedules, take the back way home, deepen our relationship with every moment, do less zipping and more unzipping...
Yes, this is the year to enjoy the delicious sensuality of being in a body. The slow pace naturally invites us to take pleasure in our sensory experiences. It's time to go barefoot, wear clothing that drapes rather than binds , and be naked as often as possible. Earth is specifically related to the taste of sweet, beckoning us to sweeten our environments with treats for every sense. Pause for a long moment and think, "What are the sounds, scents, textures, and sights that bring me continuous pleasure?" Then, in a very leisurely fashion, bring those earthly delights into your surroundings.
There'll be other years when we're called to speed it up... this is not one of them. Though the slow track may feel unfamiliar at first, we could get used to it very quickly. We'll wonder what was so attractive about living like Human Doings rather than Human Beings. And if we really drink our fill of this year's nectar, we may never be Human Doings again...
Happy Landing!
Terah
Happy New Year of the Earth Ox!
Depending on whether we track the Moon or the Sun, the year of the Earth Ox begins either January 26th or February 4th, 2009. As the Ox heads our way, we may be feeling certain inclinations that seem - well - different than what we're used to. This Ox comes bearing the sweet elixir of the earth element - the antidote to life in the fast lane. Dab it on your wrists and you become inextricably drawn to the garden, the musky scent of damp earth, and the black magic of compost. Place a drop on your forehead and you gaze through the eyes of tranquility. Bathe in it and your body becomes like the hills and valleys of Mother Earth, sensual and serene.
This is the year to Slow Up and get reacquainted with the mother we all share - Mother Earth. She's the one to cuddle up with when we feel stressed, ungrounded, or alone; dig into when we need someone's hand to hold; turn to when life's going too fast. Her solidity coupled with the Ox's constancy give us every reason to shed tight schedules, take the back way home, deepen our relationship with every moment, do less zipping and more unzipping...
Yes, this is the year to enjoy the delicious sensuality of being in a body. The slow pace naturally invites us to take pleasure in our sensory experiences. It's time to go barefoot, wear clothing that drapes rather than binds , and be naked as often as possible. Earth is specifically related to the taste of sweet, beckoning us to sweeten our environments with treats for every sense. Pause for a long moment and think, "What are the sounds, scents, textures, and sights that bring me continuous pleasure?" Then, in a very leisurely fashion, bring those earthly delights into your surroundings.
There'll be other years when we're called to speed it up... this is not one of them. Though the slow track may feel unfamiliar at first, we could get used to it very quickly. We'll wonder what was so attractive about living like Human Doings rather than Human Beings. And if we really drink our fill of this year's nectar, we may never be Human Doings again...
Happy Landing!
Terah
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Wow, it's 2009!
Wow, it’s a whole new year! I love new beginnings – even the made-up ones. Actually, I guess they’re all made up.
Growing up, my family moved around a lot. So I was constantly the new kid on the block or in class. I remember thinking I could recreate myself at any time. I could become anyone I wanted to be, without the baggage of the old ‘me’ holding me back. Each time I entered a new school, I would decide who I wanted to be seen as and began acting as if that were already me! And, even though the old me started showing up and ruining my gig I think I probably gained some momentum toward the person I wanted to become each time I set a new intention. But it was slow-going.
Why is it so hard to change? We see it every year at this time. People make all kinds of resolutions, with the best of intentions, and then often quickly fall off the wagon. Self-help magazines, and self-improvement programs are full of ways to support us in having better bodies, making more money or avoiding procrastination. And STILL we often falter.
After years of falling into the ‘trap’ of a better ‘me’, I think I have found the answer. FINALLY! It all boils down to, what Byron Katie has termed Loving What Is. By trying to push against those extra pounds or those bad habits, we are actually helping to cement them in place. Surrender – which is different than giving up – is the key! Allow what is to be what it is, without trying to make it different than it is. This frees up the next moment, and the next, to move in a different direction. If we are focused on the thing that we do not want, that’s what we see – the thing that we do not want!
So this year, rather than trying to be a better ‘me’ I accept what is. At the very least, it will free up all the energy of trying to whip myself into shape. And there will be more loving and less resistance, which is bound to feel good. Here’s the best part about surrendering to what is – all kinds of inspiration and ideas and opportunities can then flow more freely into my experience - without all the angst and effort that trying to change required! Sign me up! I, for one, am looking forward to a very happy 2009! I wish that for you as well!
Growing up, my family moved around a lot. So I was constantly the new kid on the block or in class. I remember thinking I could recreate myself at any time. I could become anyone I wanted to be, without the baggage of the old ‘me’ holding me back. Each time I entered a new school, I would decide who I wanted to be seen as and began acting as if that were already me! And, even though the old me started showing up and ruining my gig I think I probably gained some momentum toward the person I wanted to become each time I set a new intention. But it was slow-going.
Why is it so hard to change? We see it every year at this time. People make all kinds of resolutions, with the best of intentions, and then often quickly fall off the wagon. Self-help magazines, and self-improvement programs are full of ways to support us in having better bodies, making more money or avoiding procrastination. And STILL we often falter.
After years of falling into the ‘trap’ of a better ‘me’, I think I have found the answer. FINALLY! It all boils down to, what Byron Katie has termed Loving What Is. By trying to push against those extra pounds or those bad habits, we are actually helping to cement them in place. Surrender – which is different than giving up – is the key! Allow what is to be what it is, without trying to make it different than it is. This frees up the next moment, and the next, to move in a different direction. If we are focused on the thing that we do not want, that’s what we see – the thing that we do not want!
So this year, rather than trying to be a better ‘me’ I accept what is. At the very least, it will free up all the energy of trying to whip myself into shape. And there will be more loving and less resistance, which is bound to feel good. Here’s the best part about surrendering to what is – all kinds of inspiration and ideas and opportunities can then flow more freely into my experience - without all the angst and effort that trying to change required! Sign me up! I, for one, am looking forward to a very happy 2009! I wish that for you as well!
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