Listening ...

"The real difficulty is to overcome how you think about yourself.

Maya Angelou

Being cloistered by winter weather, the person we most talk to is ourselves. It may even be that the person we listen to the most is ourselves. The negativity stemming from both of these situations impairs our growth. When we are busy balancing the heaviness of judgment, there is very little energy remaining for personal improvement.

If we give ourselves the time to investigate what is weighing upon our heart, fresh insight can steer us to improved understanding. When we can identify what exactly is underneath our out of control feelings, new directions can be explored. Name issues such as: lack of control; inflexibility; over analyzing; and out of date behavioral patterns.

Setting these issues aside, begin to make a list of our best qualities. Then go back and add specific situations that highlight these strengths. Next, lifting our focus up to the Divine, we can experience a stream of unlimited loving kindness. It is a given that humans are imperfect, but we have the choice to listen anew.

Disclosing ...

"There is no greater agony than

bearing an untold story inside you."

Maya Angelou

Deep inside the archives of our mind, linger old stories that we cannot seem to let go of in spite of the damage they cause.  Physically, these memories can inhibit us, emotionally cripple us, and spiritually darken our perceptions. 

We eventually experience the need to give voice to what we harbor. It is as though an inner dam has broken and liquid memory floods our waking thoughts or brings terror to our otherwise peaceful dreamscapes. 

There are endless ways for release, so just pick one.  Splash vibrant colors of paint; sing with guttural joy; write with nasty slang; or wisely choose a trusted soul.  It is time, dear friend, to rid the self of this murkiness and replace it with thriving light. 

 

Closure Prior to Sleep

"This is a wonderful day.

I've never seen this one before."

Maya Angelou

We can learn from nature by watching the sun rise of a morning.  It can be a very moving experience.  There is something pristine and powerful as the sun reflects intensity of its light and the intensity of fresh beginnings.  It is not heavy laden from the challenge of the day before nor is it weighted by fears of tomorrow.

When we choose to follow this example, we, too, discover a new day with a clean slate accompanied by fresh intentions.  We are open to new possibilities, rather than bogged down by the disappointments or unmet expectations from the day before.

Just as the sun sets at the end of the day, we seek our own method of closure.  Whether we do so with a sip of wine and entries into a journal,  a peaceful ending is a desired.  Closure prior to sleep becomes an introduction to a good night's sleep.

Selecting Moments

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths

we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

Maya Angelou

This morning out on the covered back porch, I followed my morning routine.  While listening to the rain falling, I read from ancient scriptures, current mentors, and scanned an old journal.  Pieces of emotion and wisps of memories formed a positive aspect of how I would greet my day.

Choosing to ignore the negative of the world, I began to fill my day with thoughts of 'sisters of my heart'.

As I did chores, I thought of the laughter in our gathered circles of women and the tears allowed to be freely shed.  I gave thanks to the mentors who intercepted my spirals and encouraged independent ways.

Later I gloried in the love of my grandchildren and when I retired for the day, my numerous pillows and blanket comforted me.  In the still of the night with my little candle casting shadows, past visualizations returned to me connecting me to all there is.  Life is good and I am so blessed!

 

Honesty Unfolds

"When someone shows you who they are,

believe them the first time."

Maya Angelou

Although we easily share self-criticism with friends and strangers, we have the tendency to dismiss negativity and look deeper for the goodness.  Everyone has redeeming qualities and we choose to discover and focus upon the unique kindness often hidden within.

It is important to accept the gifts of others, but it is equally important to be conscious of traits detrimental to relationship.  There is no need for judgment, but awareness is necessary to adjust boundaries for self care.  

If we are hood-winked by a person due to our innocence we need to learn the lesson, forgive, and move along.  There is no reason to judge, and no reason to expose ourselves to repeated harm.  It is vitally important to listen to personal statements rather than project a false image of perfection to meet our own needs.  Allow sufficient time for honesty to unfold.

Become An Original Creature of Nature

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes

it has gone through to achieve that beauty."

Maya Angelou

Pieces of art usually begin with one small inspiration and often the artist is led to places he or she never expected to be.  A particular idea can catch hold and enhance beyond expectation or it can be squelched into nothingness.

Human beings are like butterflies, spending endless time in cocoons that can be too harsh or not supportive.  We wiggle our lovely selves around until we have the inertia to thrust forward.  It is these very twists and turns that create our unique nature.

We easily observe a butterfly without acknowledging the changes it has gone through in order to become a delicate creature in the midst of nature.  If we stand in awe in front of mentors or historians, we never really comprehend their massive struggles.   We, too, have the choice to overcome obstacles and become an original creature of nature.

Too This or Not Enough That ...

"When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully,

everyone is blessed."

Maya Angelou

An adult once told me when I was young, to never let anyone know how I felt.  I must have been oozing with emotion for this to be said to me.  I was told by keeping your feelings private, it would give you the upper hand.  This really didn't make much sense to me at the time, but it did create an inaccurate need to hide how I felt.  

Once again I was chastised for expressing my feelings when I was a young married mother of two.    As a family, we were viewing a house for sale.  I loved everything about the house, but knew there were other offers on the table.  Without thinking, I told the owner how much I appreciated the house and how I would raise my children in love in this home.  She teared up and proceeded to tell me they were not leaving by choice.  Her husband had taken ill and they were forced to move to a larger city where medical assistance would be available.  I felt so sorry for her and acknowledged how difficult it would be to leave such a fine home.

Once outside, my father-in-law literally yelled at me for 'showing my hand' to the owner.  I was totally caught of guard and questioned what he was saying.  "They now know how you feel about their house and will push you to pay top dollar," he said.  I thought about this on the ride home.  It had been the only opportunity to share with the owner what a lovely home she had created.

We did make an offer on the house hoping our bid would beat the other offer.  The owner called us to accept our offer even though it was slightly lower than the other.  She said she chose us because of how much I loved her home.  Expressing my feelings had helped us, not hindered.

I still hesitate to share how I feel, concerned I am being too this or not enough that.  I have to consciously push myself to use my voice in spite of what had been ingrained in me at such an early age.  Ultimately, I am not a game player, and I want to be understood through my emotions and feelings.  Virginia's Voice ... we are all entitled to speak our truth.