The Elements

When we are thinking about the elements as far as the weather is concerned, we may think of cold weather, with rain and high winds. And with that, we mainly think of the element water… And the wind or stormy weather that permits that element to move.

When we look at the energy of water as an element, it has to do with cleansing and with emotions — and the wind then that brings these energies into motion. It makes that taking a walk in stormy weather can truly help us to clear our heads…

On the other side, right now it is summer. Lots of sunshine, high temperatures, and hardly any breeze at all. For many the perfect summer weather, although for some the temperatures may be a bit on the high side…

Right now, what we are experiencing is the element of fire. And fire has a lot to do with cleansing as well. On top of that the elemental energy of fire is about gathering the things we need in our lives, and allowing them to start moving around.

Summer then, has its own energy which has to do with details and wonderment. It is an energy that invites us to look with an open mind at what is happening in our lives, specifically the details that are at play.

The interesting thing is that this energy is coming up at the same moment we need to start paying more attention to the Corona virus again. Perhaps it is as important to keep social distancing while new rules and regulations may be implemented in busy areas in order to again contain the virus.

This combination of the summer weather with lots of sunshine and high temperatures requires us to again — and with an open mind — look at what is necessary to safely live a healthy, happy life. To observe what is important in our lives. To truly see the details in our lives…

Which details are so important to us that we will keep giving them our time, focus and energy, and which details are just the “small stuff” we will, bit by bit, forget about?

The thing is, because this is all about the details, it may seem not quite that important to spend our time looking at them. And therein lies the challenge! Because especially these details, when we start adding them up, can make a huge difference in our lives!

Looking at it from the perspective of the energy of the elements, what we are dealing with now is a cleansing — looking at what we really desire in our lives and what we can release — and then observing with an open mind how we can bring that that is important to us into movement in such a manner that we can shape it into a (new) whole.

From a practical viewpoint this could mean that we are looking at new eating habits, or a new way to take better care of ourselves. Or perhaps giving our innate, natural rhythm the space it needs so that we can finally be that morning- or evening person that we truly are…

Chances are that when we look at the elemental energy of fire we are experiencing in the summer weather in this manner, the changes that bit by bit are “sneaking into our lives” are going to be positive and beneficial — making our lives more beautiful!

Count Your Blessings

Every once in a while it is a good idea to take stock of where we stand in life. Where we want to go, and perhaps most importantly, what we are focussing on. The situation we are living in on a global scale makes this an excellent time to do so.

I think I can safely say that for pretty much all of us this year is unfolding differently than we had envisioned at its start. We may have had ambitious New Year’s resolutions, only to find that we are held back from reaching them because of what is happening in the world — or at least we need to go about it in a totally different way…

Arguably, the most important question we are faced with as a result is where — or what — we are focusing on.

Are we continuing to focus on the things that are not possible, the things we cannot do, or the goals that we cannot accomplish?

Or do we shift our focus to all the things that we have in our lives that are good? Making the most of each day as it happens, and using the “extra” time for reflection? Taking better care of ourselves, and becoming more aware of what we truly need in life?

As long as we are putting our focus on what we cannot do / accomplish / make happen, chances are we will find ourselves in a situation where our world gets smaller and smaller, where we are getting more and more unhappy — even depressed.

On the other hand, if we purposely look for the good in this difficult situation that awe are finding ourselves in, we may find that new and innovative ways to cope with it are opening up for us. And perhaps we even find that our path takes a slightly different direction, which, when we truly look at it with an open mind, becomes so much more fulfilling than we ever thought it could be.

When we count our blessings and are open to the new ways the Universe provides for us, little — and sometimes not so little — miracles tend to happen. When you decide to start traveling in mind, making journeys in your imagination, suddenly that trip abroad may be possible after all. Or when you decide to at home, you may find the weather opens up providing for you the perfect environment for a wonderful vacation.

In other words, at the very least our perception of our lives gets better when we start counting our blessings. Yet with an open mind, we may find that our lives actually do get better when we — purposefully — start counting our blessings…

We are not the storm

There are many things happening in the world right now that are challenging our existing world view. From the things we cannot do, and could do, to things we shouldn’t do and may need to change in our lives. And whichever way we look at it, every single one of those pushes us to change. From changing our behavior, to changing our perspectives. And even changing our belief systems.

It seems like we have come at a point where we can either change while kicking and screaming  about how all of this should never have happened, or we can take stock and see which direction this changing flow is bringing us…

As the age old saying goes “As above, so below — as within, so without”  says it all.

Whenever we find ourselves in a situation where we experience changes to such extend that we feel pushed around by something that is totally outside of our own control — let alone influence — chances are that there are things in our own personal lives that are no longer beneficial to us. Things we may not have looked at for a while, because “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, yet now we can suddenly see that there may be another way to go about it that is more productive on our personal path.

With the storm raging around us, it is a good thing to remember that we are not the storm… 

So, arguably the best thing to do is to find the calm in the storm and observe. See what the wind is taking away, and notice how the waters are washing and cleaning the path right in front of your feet.

With clear sight, we may suddenly see that what we were doing was not as productive as we thought it would be. Perhaps not even beneficial to us.

And from that point of calm clarity, we may find that the things we do, the situations we are involved in, the actions we take — all those things we set out to make happen in our lives and environments are not who we are. They are not our identity.

We are not the storm, we are that point of calm essence of self in the center. We are the eye of the storm. We can experience the storm, and learn from that experience. We can reach out when we are asked to help.

From that point of calm, we can express ourselves in a way that is beneficial and productive, not only to ourselves but to all those around us — even humanity in general.

The expression of who we are meant to be — innately peaceful, wise, and compassionate — is what is needed in the world today…

Walking on the Wild Side

Every animal has its own unique quality by which it is known. For an animal that is our totem animal, this unique quality can then help us bridge our day-to-day world with the — unseen —spiritual world.

Then there are “power animals” that lend us their unique strengths or qualities for a specific task. For instance, if we find ourselves in a situation that requires a lot of physical strength, we may call on Bear to lend us a hand with its strength.

Another perspective on this is to look at what quality we would like to have strengthened within ourselves. And if that quality was also found in an animal — which animal would represent it best?

In all likelihood this would be a different animal than our totem animal. And it would not necessarily be the animal that would help us, but rather the unique quality of that animal is a quality that we have deep inside us and it would be beneficial to us to start using this quality more often, or more openly. The animal then, would be more of a witness to that quality in ourselves.

One could say that when we are using all of our talents, strengths and energies to the fullest, we are whole…

And it is nice to have an animal be the witness to that specific, innate quality of ourselves that we somehow have shelved up to now, yet it does bring up the fact how we have adapted to fit in. 

Looking back there are any number of things that I knew to be true as a small child. But — certainly as a youngster — one should not talk about these things. One should be polite, logical, and if at all possible the picture perfect manifestation of our parents imagination.

And pretty soon we started behaving a certain way, speaking a certain way, and acting a certain way — all to fit in.

So what would happen if we would revert back to the person we knew we were when you came into this world? 

We probably would still be polite and well behaved. We even might still fit in…

On the other hand, we may also move into a new direction, more guided by our senses, our gut-feel, our intuition… We could find that we would be less bothered by what other people think of us. And we are very likely to discover that we would stop making our choices based on the expectations of people around us.

If we would take this new direction, we could discover potentials and talents that had been there all along, dormant, somewhere hidden in the depths of ourselves… We could find that we have qualities we had never been aware of…

And we may find that being accompanied by an animal witness to bring those qualities and talents to the surface is a beneficial and fun thing to experience!

Perhaps it is time to start walking the wild side…

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

Uncommon Sense

Especially in changing - or even chaotic - times, it is a good idea to keep using our common sense. To keep an eye on the cause and effect of our actions, and to take responsibility when things turn our different than we had imagined…

That just makes good sense, doesn’t it?

But then there is a point when common sense becomes limiting, conceivably even tying us down. Because for all its value, common sense does seem to go for the tried and true, safe and secure outcome of whatever situation we are facing at that moment.

Yet when the situation requires a truly new solution - maybe even a totally different manner of looking at it and handling it - it perhaps calls for “uncommon sense”…

The “uncommon sense” that finds its roots in our imagination. In an open way of looking at the world in general and the situation in particular. Possibly a bit more detached and factual, yet filled with wonder at how it looks and how it has come about.

Our “uncommon sense” tends to have a way to see the beauty, the value, and even new opportunities in pretty much any situation - independent from our judgement of whether it is a good or a bad one.

Our “uncommon sense” definitely has an independent, wild side to it. An adventurous side.

Using our “uncommon sense” we are willing to stand up for the things we feel are right, and the outcomes we can clearly imagine to be beneficial - without letting ourselves being bogged down by our regular common sense that says “Well, that’s not going to work, after all, it has never worked before / never been done before / tried before…”

And that is exactly the point!

In changing times, we need new solutions. New perspectives. New ideas. And yes, a new way to perceive ourselves.

So in changing times, it is a good thing to reconnect with the wild side of our being. With those aspects of ourselves that we may have “unlearned” when we were youngsters. We may gain a lot from letting go of all the ways in which we have adapted ourselves to the expectations of others, or even the expectations of the world around us.

And we may be very surprised at the new and wonderful solutions we come up with for whatever situation we find ourselves in, if we apply “uncommon sense” to it. If we let our imagination of where we want to go with it run free - and only then look at what can be possible given the actual environment of that particular situation, the others involved and so on.

In this time when common sense is needed (and sometimes seems in short supply), I would ask you to - every once in a while - set yourself free and use “uncommon sense”!

Common Sense

We all have it; the ability to use good sense and sound judgement in practical matters. Whether we use it or not is a free will choice.

To actually use our common sense requires us to think. To give some thought to what is happening; to the situation we are finding ourselves in. It would ask from us that we ponder the facts and come up with a practical, levelheaded solution. A solution that works for us, that makes sense to us.

As such, there are always multiple solutions to any one situation, depending on how those involved in the situation perceive it. And while one solution may work better than another ~ common sense is always about the best solution for that person, in that situation, from their perspective.

So why don’t we use it more often?

Part of the answer may lie in the fact that in our world today we have rules for pretty much anything. We stop when the traffic lights are red, and move on as soon as they turn green again. Independent from other traffic being present or not. As it turns out, we are no longer looking whether there is traffic coming from other directions ~ all we are looking at is that red light ~ often with a good dose of impatience ~ almost willing it to turn green. And as soon as it does we start moving.

And it is not just in traffic that our ‘dos and don’ts’ are regulated. Almost every aspect of our lives has its rules about the things that are ‘done’; and often more importantly the things that are ‘not done’. As long as we are following these rules, we are safe. We are doing okay.

Another thing is that we can insure ourselves for those instances when the rules and regulations fail to protect us. We son’t have to look at our part in the situation… After all the rules and regulations are there for a reason ~ so if we are following them it cannot be our fault when something bad happens to us. And someone has to pay for that. Somehow we want ~ or even need ~ to be reimbursed for a situation turning sour ~ especially when it wasn’t our fault!

So it seems like we have replaced our own common sense with a set of rules and regulations ~ and then covered the risk with a package of insurances.

We have started to follow rules, rather than to think things through…

In all fairness, following traffic regulations absolutely makes good (common) sense.

However, it seems that when we start to ‘blindly follow the rules’; when we stop thinking about what is happening ~ we are no longer aware of the ramifications of our actions.

It is time to observe the ‘rules and regulations’ with a good bit of common sense…

Being Aware in Chaotic Times

Now that bit by bit the “shelter in place” ordinances are opening up, it seems that the tension we may have felt over the past months is searching for a way to express itself. It is almost as if we have held our breath all this time, and now, finally, we are able to breathe again..

And taking a few deep, relaxing breaths will help us claim our personal space again, if not our very own energy. And even while we are still not allowed to come any closer than about 6 feet, on average we seem a bit more relaxed about it.

We are discovering that it is all about Being Aware.

About our awareness of our direct environment, the people around us, and an awareness of all the things that have changed. Perhaps being most aware of the changes inside ourselves…

Therefore this is a good point in time to truly become aware of ourselves, our lives. To become aware of the things we have done differently over the past couple of months. To become aware of the things we wish would be back in our lives again, and those things that we may have found we can do without quite easily. And maybe even become aware of a couple of things that we — secretly — have enjoyed during this time…

The more we are asking ourselves these kind of questions, the more we are placing ourselves in a position in which we are Being Aware, the greater our sense of balans with the situation will be — often extending itself into a sense of confidence toward the future.

Of course there are also places and situations in which the built up tension seems to explode. Where things are happening that should not be happening, things that every once in a while are just plain wrong. This can happen on a small scale, like in families where suddenly old tensions have come to the surface. But it can also be a situation where cultural differences that may have been tense for a very long time are coming out in the open for everyone to see in a big way…

Suddenly we are becoming aware that underneath our day to day lives a certain tension had been hiding. And now that we are aware of this, we may be able to help bring this to a peaceful solution. Perhaps just by holding the situation in Light. Or by being there for someone in need.

Just by Being Aware, we can help bring balance into our lives, our direct environment, and yes, into the world as a whole. By staying in this balanced point in which we are Being Aware, rather than getting involved with sometimes extreme polarities, we can help change the world.