CHOICES: Part 1 by Bryan Moss
“From The Funk to Gratitude”
by Shiela Reed
I thought of this title as I was driving today (which is one of my most favorite times to allow myself to be freely be creative). I noted how earlier this week I was going to write about the proverbial “funk” (which I was in Sunday/Monday) but then just couldn’t even motivate myself enough to share it yet. So since today was completely the opposite and it dawned on me how this “funk to gratitude” all happened within one week.
I literally was in the feeling of a depressive “funk” on Monday and here I am today (Friday) with such an overwhelming feeling of gratitude that I’m in tears. The gratefulness that is in my mind and heart today is overwhelming as I look around and notice how every single thing I see I have an immediate feeling of being thankful that I’m able to see it and experience it; feel it; taste it; smell it; and the overall freedom I have to even have these experiences.
But let me back up because that’s not at all how this week started on Monday. When in reality there was almost a feeling of depression, it was a physically lethargic feeling of not being connected to anything. I also now know I’m blessed to realize that the work I’ve been doing regarding my own emotional and spiritual journey, if you will, really granted me the ability to allow myself to be in that space on Monday without becoming engulfed in that looming feeling of potential “depression”.
Here is what I’ve learned about “the funk”. It’s a part of life. It comes and goes, for some of us more than others, but I have learned that the more I try to “fight it”, the more “energy” and life I end up actually giving it (if you will). It ends up allowing it to grow which is counter-productive to what I’m trying to do…. which is “will it away”, make it go away, ignore it, not want it, even hate it.
When instead I’ve had to learn to kind of “embrace it”, to an extent, without letting it be “in control”, as I move through the day. What happens is that those feelings really do just eventually “dissipate”. It’s like not giving it permission to take hold but yet acknowledging it exists. As if I’m just “going with the flow”, so to speak.
This is something that I had really only been able to mentally understand from a conceptual perspective but now that I have been able to have more consistent true experiences with it, I realize it had never been able to fully occur for me without a deeper connection within myself. From doing the work and practices to connect my heart and spirit into the whole process and by frankly, gaining an understanding about how they all “communicate” i.e. our mental mind and ego, our emotions, our heart/ true self and even the overall connection to our physical body; I have found other ways to be present in my own life.
I know that’s pretty deep and “heady”, but the more I experience it, the more it really does make sense and I find myself being able to just “let go” and” allow things” much more. And what an enriching experience it has been on the other side of that! Because it’s what brings the lightness, the love, and the joy and I know, this overwhelming feeling of gratitude that I’m having today. It’s because I’ve been able to just let my system process in its own way, in its own time, without me “controlling it” or forcing it. Learning to not “overthink” and “mentalize” everything has created freedom I used to only imagine!
What a true gift to be able to experience the True Heart connection and continue to be a student of life and learn and grow. As many “spiritual” teachers will tell you, that’s what keeps our spark alive. It is the ongoing growth we each deeply desire. To continue to learn more about ourselves and our interconnections within and with others. Allowing us to question, “What is deep within us, in our truest form”?
So with that I find myself dreaming bigger, thinking about the things that I hope to bring and share in this world with like-minded people, while having a true desire to help others.
It’s days like today that I wish I could just drive, daydream, and write all day, as I share stories with you all about the things that come forward from my personal divine space. All with the hopes that you will find it helpful in some way and take a next step in your own journey’s.
I do hope you each continue to seek your own spark and take one more step in that direction in some way. Maybe it’s about trying something new that has caught your attention. Maybe it’s more about allowing yourself to daydream as you look at the sky or gaze into nature. Whatever it is, allow your mind and heart to wander with the curiosity of a child…. It feels GREAT and the next thing you know, “the funk” has disappeared. 🙂
Peace, serenity, and blessings
Shiela
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What’s the purpose of a New Year’s resolution anyway?
by Shiela Reed
So, another year has come and gone… I’ve been reflecting just as most people probably do. I found myself with this question and figured it would be as good as any of a way to start off. So, I guess, “let the blogging begin”! 🙂
What’s the purpose of a “New Year’s Resolution” anyway?
Have you noticed that the energy and excitement often increases as we plan for “newness” no matter when that is during the year? That is especially true at the start of a new year. It seems to be a “natural” or automatic way our systems are wired as we are drawn to a time when we can make a fresh start . To find and hold onto what seems to be a “solid starting point”… this time of year feels a little like “book ends” to me. The end of one and beginning of another… But why now? Why “January 1st” all the time?
In reality – this could happen anytime we choose – but commonly we all feel the energetic “pull/push/draw” to certain times of the year (i.e. New Years) because the larger group/collective adds their energy too . A bit like “everybody’s doing it” maybe.
Although that might make a bit of sense, there is more to it than that. The rest of the story is what makes it tricky. It’s actually important for us to have an understanding of “why are we” making this particular choice at this particular time?
We may get a hint of this, if after the initial “surge and spike” with everyone else’s energy (i.e. everyone talking about their new years resolutions) – we make note of where our own energy goes when it’s time to sustain and maintain the new decision/commitment a few days, or weeks or months later.
Are we still as excited and focused? That actually tends to end up depending on the true “root” of our own “why” for this new “plan”, endeavor, change, commitment, in the first place….
To me this ends up being a significant difference between when we find ourselves sticking with something vs quitting or becoming “bored” with the idea.
For example – if I were to start with my own “soul search” and that leads me to make a certain change or shift, it will be more likely to sustain and make it through the “hard times” or struggles. If it’s due to outside expectations or “joining the crowd” and not what I “really” want or am ready to do – it will not.
It’s so subtle – we are barely ever aware. Which is why the more we can spend time nurturing the growth of that inner connection… that “knowing” part of us that comes from that special inner true self we each have –
The more “true” our choices and commitments will be, because we will begin to more consistently feel them coming from our true heart space.
So – to test it out- see what “resolutions” stick for you this year and which do not. And NO this is not permission to “beat ourselves up” if we don’t “stick something out”. Instead consider going back to the beginning and determine our true first reason and starting point and LEARN something new about our individual processing systems.
We will learn to know if we are “in-tune” or not… and if we are not – we can begin to practice simply letting it go, re-assessing from our heart space – and either try again or go another direction.
On our site this year, we hope you will be able to find some new and meaningful connections with yourselves and others while sparking fresh thoughts and ideas as we each walk into this new year with a sense of opportunity for new beginnings…
Here’s to wishing you all a 2018 filled with what YOU choose, need, and create – remember – our life lessons will come in many forms, so try to be open to them all.
Peace, love, serenity
Shiela