On Edge

It seems like the whole world is a little on edge these days.

Whether you look at the traffic around you when you are going some place; or just watch the news on TV ~ it seems like everybody reacts somewhat ‘over-assertive’ to whatever is happening around them.

And I have to admit; I find myself on edge as well.

Sometimes I even think it is something in the weather, a change in the energies around us that we ~ consciously or subconsciously ~ react to. And suddenly all the things that we had organized so nicely, everything that should work so well, appears to get a life all its own...

And pretty soon our timing is off.

Chores that normally take us only a couple of minutes to do, now take us half an hour. Which makes us late for an appointment, so we have to rush through traffic ~ and while we might normally find we get where we need to go before the rush hour traffic, now we get trapped in heavy traffic. Making us even later for that appointment. When we finally get there, there is no parking place to be found close to the entrance; and when we find ourselves a parking place on the other side of the lot, it starts raining. Umbrella in one hand, purse in the other we dash into the place ~ only to find out we are the first to arrive anyway.

This then, instead of making us feel good that we at least made it in time ~ sort of ~ can put us even further on edge. After all, we have really tried our very best, rushed through traffic, dashed over the parking lot ~ only to find that whoever we have that appointment with is late.

How dare they! Don’t they know what you have been going through to get here in time ~ sort of?

As it turns out ~ no they don’t know that. 

And they may have an equally ‘on edge’ start of their day...

Probably the best thing to do at this point is to sit down for a moment and take a deep breath. To get centered. To step back from how we got here and move to the point where we can happily say to ourselves: “Made it!!”

It is easy in the energy of this point in time to get ‘on edge’. But rather than snapping at everybody around us who — whether they are or not — at least seem to be in our way; we would do ourselves an enormous favor if we just took a couple of deep breaths…

And then laugh about it…

First published in 2012

Superwoman and Superman

All of us are a Superwoman or a Superman. We may not feel like it all the time, but we are!

This means that each of us has her or his Super Power… A Super Power that is uniquely our own. A Super Power that sets us apart from everybody else — either because it is a rare thing to have or do, or because the way we use it in the expression of the we are is distinctive.

So, it seems like a good thing to know what the Super Power is, that defines you as Superwoman or Superman… And perhaps you already know what your individual Super Power is. And in that case, your Super Power may already be included in your life as a manner in which you express yourself…

However, if you are not yet familiar with your particular Super Power, how would you find out what it is?

Here are a few ideas…

• It is something that you are passionate about, even if it is something that doesn’t seem to be productive in your life.
• It is something that other people notice about you as a good — or strong — quality, while for yourself it may seem something “normal” or “regular”. In other words, nothing special.
• It doesn’t have to be something grandiose. It can be the fact that you make people smile. Or are always finding exactly the right words for any situation.
• It can be something that defines who you are — something that is innately yours, for instance an ability like running fast.
• It can be something that you do — a way in which you express yourself. Like having a “green thumb”.

Whatever our Super Power turns out to be — whether it is something that seems commonplace or something that is fairly quirky — through the expression of our Super Power, we are Super Woman or Super Man…

And that is just it…

Our Super Power needs expresion. It needs to be used. And as we start using it more and more, we will find that it will develop and grow. It will become something we can use to break the ice, or to fall back upon when we hit a bump in the road.

Granted, some Super Powers are easier to make a part of every day life than others. Like making people smile — and in doing so, you are lightening their day… But if your Super Power is something like meditative design — or meditative music, chanting, writing, etc. — make sure you take a few minutes every day to engage with your Super Power. Even if it is in the confines of your own home, or even a room, or in a favorite spot in the garden…

Doing so, you may find that in only a couple of weeks you find ways where you start expression yourself differently in the world around you — as your Supere Power will start shining through.

Pretty soon, Superwoman or Superman becomes more and more visible.

And that can make everyday life a whole lot more fun!

So, what is your Super Power?

Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay

Who are you?

Every once in a while, when I look myself in my eyes in the mirror, I ask myself: “Who are you?”

I have a pretty good understanding of who I am not…

I am not who I used to be.

I am not necessarily what others think of me or who others think I am.

I may not be all that I can be.

Then there are a couple of things I feel I do know about myself:

I am filled with potential that is unfolding.

I am walking my own path — even if I take a detour or two.

I am learning from my experiences, I am changing and evolving.

So, in asking myself the question “Who are you?”, I am not necessarily looking for any precise answer. I am more interested in where I stand in life at this point in time. In where I have been and where I am heading on my personal path. And on the steps I can take right now in order to get there.

In all reality, when we ask ourselves that question, there are many answers. Which answer comes up depends upon the perspective it was asked from; the aspect of ourselves we are looking at. 

Therefore the answer will be different when we are looking at our reality selves, our core selves — chances are the answer will have a more spiritual slant to it — than it will be in light of how we present ourselves to the world around us. Observing the passionate sides of ourselves may give yet a different answer.

After all, we are all multi-faceted human beings that have all the potential we may ever wish for, and have a lot to offer to the world.

The caveat in being multi-faceted is — and this is where the question “Who are you?” comes in — is that we find ourselves stuck on only one or two of the many facets we are. That we only see what we are doing right now, and allowing ourselves to be defined by those tasks.

As soon as this happens, we loose sight of all the other sides of ourselves that are also there — although perhaps we are not quite so actively involved in them right now. And pretty soon we may not even dare to look at who we can be; at what lies beyond.

At all the potential we are yet to discover about ourselves.

Therefore I think it is a good thing to ask ourselves every once a while: “Who are you?” and to let ourselves be surprised at the answer that comes up from the very depths of our being.

First published in 2016

Pondering

Over the last year the Universe most certainly has given me enough time to reflect on life. To discover more of who I am, to know better where I stand, and to see more clearly where the path that is opening up in front of me is leading.

And finally — yes it really has taken me a year — I am starting to appreciate this great gift!

It has only been over the past couple of weeks that I find myself in a position of discernment as to what things that are happening in the world, and what situations that I am encountering in my life agree with my true values, and which are not.

And so, I have found myself on an inner journey. A journey that is bringing me closer and closer to an experience of authenticity I had not been aware of until now.

This journey has prompted me to get more acquainted with my roots — my ancestral roots, my cultural roots, and even, to a certain extend, humanities roots. It has brought up the age-old question where we are coming from and where we are going. Yet less philosophical and perhaps more to the point from a day-to-day perspective, this journey is inviting me to revisit my personal value system.

In other words, what are the things that are truly important to me, and what are things that I may have been taught, yet that turn out to be of less value to me than it would have been to my parents, and even grandparents.

For example, I was brought up that you always will finish what you have started. It was one of those “rules” my parents lived by. But is it as important to me at this point of my path?

And I am finding that this particular “value” is not. The thing is that I also find it is more difficult to let go of it than I would have thought…

On the other hand, both my parents really worked at carving a life out for themselves in which they went for their wishes and desires — even when they encountered lots of opposition from their parents in doing so… And this persistence in reaching their goals that they had, I do relate to at this point in my life.

And then there is the situation in the world of today…

It brings up questions like do I agree with what is happening? Or not so much? And either way, am I going to voice my opinion openly and loudly, or chose to approach it from a more personal, even an inner perspective? 

If I would do the latter, the questions that come up is what does this mean to me in my personal life? And what does it show me about my authentic self?

After all, the fact that we are part of humanity at this point in time means that there is something to be gained for us, just as much as that we have something to bring to the table that will help those that are around us, as well as humanity on a larger scale…

So, do I go along with something that I do not exactly agree with, “for the good of all”? Or will I walk my path according to my value system and trust that this will turn out to be helpful to those around me?

The answers to that one question will be extremely personal, and depending on the situation, on what is at stake, and many, many other aspects that are at play at that very moment.

And because the answers are so individual, there can be no right or wrong answer. 

The one constant, however, is that we need to respect the choices the other person is making, as we neither know the full extend of their situation, nor how that is interacting with their value system…

And as I am pondering all of this, yes, I do appreciate the time I have been given for this process as a great gift!

A New Melody

Even though the pandemic seems far from over, and out thoughts may seem more focused on how we can healthy ourselves, right now — rather than looking at our personal path through life, or setting new goals; or even embarking upon new adventures… There does seem to be a new melody emerging…

Have you noticed that as well? That there seems to be a new vibration, perhaps even a new rhythm to the energy? 

Very subtly changes seem to be creeping in ~ pushing aside the old and bringing the new forward.

Suddenly, without even thinking twice about it, we may find ourselves making decisions that we have been pushing aside for a long time. Or we start being more active, or perhaps taking more time to smell the roses. It is almost as if these changes come from a place deep down inside ourselves with hardly any logical thought involved at all.

And bit by bit as we allow these changes to take place, we are building a new structure for ourselves. We are permitting a new rhythm to emerge. A new rhythm to do our chores, a new rhythm to do our job, a new rhythm to our times of rest. In short a new rhythm to our lives! And that new rhythm sets us up to do new things ~ perhaps even the things we always wanted to do (but never did).

As it is with changes in energy ~ it is up to us how we handle them. Whether we jump in with both feet and enjoy the new energies as a new adventure on our path. Or whether we fight the changes until we can no longer deny them and have to deal with them one way or another.

So, some may heave a sigh of relief that this new rhythm is finally here, while to others it feels like an upset to their energies, to their lives as ever so steadily the newness takes over and perhaps even demands newness in us.

New lines of thought. New directions. New ways of life.

Chances are these changes are here to stay and it is up to us to feel their vibration, to notice their rhythm and to find the melody that bridges that rhythm to our personal lives and our individual paths...

That new melody may well be written in a new scale, and therefore be dis-harmonic to our ears at first. After a while though, when the new rhythm and new melody merge more fully ~ we may find ourselves dancing a new dance.

Getting used to the new melody and the new dance, we may step on some toes... In return we may find that others as they are getting used to their new melodies, trample our toes...

Yet pretty soon we will get the hang of it and can fully enjoy the freedom of this new music and the new dance.

I can feel the new vibration, the new rhythm...

And I am listening for that new melody…

First published in June 2013.

The Dragon’s Den

Find yourself a place where you can sit comfortably for a bit, and come with me on a journey of discovery. A visualization. A journey in your mind’s eye. Feel anticipation building around you, as you start walking along a path through a valley. Tall mountain peaks are towering over you in all their majesty, but the valley is flat and wide. It is easy to follow the path, and you enjoy the warmth of the sun, the clear air, and the feeling of nature all around you. And as the path moves slowly upward you have a sense that nature's eyes are following your every step...

Then the path makes a bend to the right and suddenly you find yourself standing in front of a castle. This castle has old, thick, strong walls. It has towers and turrets. Through big, open doors you can see inside. This castle feels safe and welcoming.

As you step through the doors you hear soft music from somewhere inside the castle. It seems to be an ancient melody — almost ethereal.

You start following this music, curious where it is coming from. You walk through a long corridor, and although it seems fairly dark when you look ahead, with each step you can see more clearly. There seems to be a light that surrounds you. A light that radiates from you. Wherever you go in this castle, the light goes with you. It allows you to clearly see what is there. And you notice now, that there are rooms on either side of this corridor. Some of the doors may be open, while others are closed. 

And when you feel you want to look in one of these rooms, you will find that the door opens easily. And the light goes with you, so you can see clearly whatever is in the room behind the door. And you take your time observing what is there. What does the room look like? What is its shape? Does the room have high ceilings?  How is the room furnished?  Are there cupboards in this room, or maybe a chest?  You may want to have a look what is inside the cupboard. Does the room have windows? What do you see, when you look through them?

And when you have seen everything there is to  see in this room, you return to the corridor and once again you follow the soft melody. You notice now that the corridor seems to go down, and that the music seems to be louder the further you go. And you move on...

Finally you come to a stairwell. In the light that radiates from you, you can clearly see sturdy, brick steps that are leading downward. This is where the ancient music seems to be coming from. And slowly you descend the steps — one by one. And with each step you take the beautiful, ancient music grows stronger in your ears. And the light that radiates from you ensures that you can see clearly.

At the bottom of the stairs is a door. You observe this door... You look at the well preserved wood, the pattern of the huge metal hinges that hold the door in place. You are certain now that the music is coming from behind this door. And when you carefully touch the door, it slowly swings open.

There is a faint glow coming from the room behind it, filled with a diffuse light that has no obvious point of origin. But as you step through the doorway, this light that lights the room seems to connect with the light that is radiating from you.

The room is filled with the music you have been following all along. and you listen to the melody that has led you here. In reality it doesn't look as much as a room, but more like a cave. And everywhere you look there are treasures. You look at them as you wander through this cave-like room. There are crystals... gold... silver... jewels... But also maps... and books... You take it al in. Every once in a while you pick something up and examine it. Noticing it feels vaguely familiar. 

And as you are pondering this treasure, a voice bids you welcome. This, the voice says, is your potential. Old potential that has blossomed already, and new potential. Still only seeds waiting to be sown…

As you look around where the voice is coming from the voice says: “I am the Guardian of your Treasure, of your Potential…"

You turn around now, and find yourself standing face to face with the Guardian of your potential. The creature is huge. It has recognized your light when it connected with its light, and it is friendly, protective even. 

You observe this winged creature. Its friendly eyes. Its somewhat fiery breath. You look at its color, its shape, and finally at the nest it is sitting on. There are eggs in the nest. And although you may not exactly know what will hatch from those eggs, you know with a certainty that it is your potential. New, greater potential than you have ever imagined. 

And the Dragon reaches in the nest and hands you one of the eggs. It fits perfectly in the palm of your hand, and as you are holding it you become totally aware of it. How it feels, the joy it brings, the rewards it holds, and the fulfillment as it blossoms. And the Dragon tells you to take this egg with you. To hold it. To care for it. To let it hatch... 

To bring this new potential into your awareness, and into your life.

Then he leads you to a door at the end of the cave room and he bids you goodbye. And as the door closes behind you, the beautiful, ethereal, ancient music stays with you in your mind, and in your heart. 

Ahead of you is again the path that leads you through the valley. And you follow the path back, while you are totally aware of your new potential — of the unhatched egg the Dragon has given you. You look at it. You hold it up to the sun, and when you do that, new ideas begin to come to your awareness. You become aware of new goals to be reached — greater than you ever thought possible...

Then the path ends and you are back where you started this journey…

What Just Happened?

Do you recognize that oftentimes somewhat unwelcome surprise when you thought things were going so well — and then suddenly the entire situation turns on a dime? And then you find yourself in a position in which it seems you will have to start the whole process all over again in order for you to accomplish whatever it is you set out to do…

And you have that one thought… 

What Just Happened?

And whether it is something that abruptly changed in the world around us — in our environments — or rather something that changed within ourselves — like a change of mind, or a change of heart — the result is that we find that the path we had chosen to get where we wanted to go has unexpectedly changed. It no longer leads us through familiar territory, or a known series of events.

It suddenly has detours and roadblocks that are nudging us into new directions. Pushing us to find new ways to achieve our goals.

For all of our efforts, the way we have always got the job done doesn’t work anymore for us…

What Just Happened?

There seem to be many instances in the world — and in our lives — today where this is true. Circumstances demand from us that we become more flexible and handle changes in our environments  in general — and in our lives in particular — in a more graceful manner.

It can be finding the goodness in working from home during a lockdown. Or coming up with new ways to recharge ourselves now that travel is all but impossible. Or even finding new ways to get together…

Almost every time the answer to the question “What just happened?” is that the Universe is telling us that there is a better way to do things.

This can be a better way to achieve existing goals, yet it can also mean that it is time to reevaluate your goals and see whether the goal you are working towards is still that which you truly wish to accomplish.

It may sound funny, but in a lot of cases that is not true anymore…

Somewhere along the line we may have realized that this goal that we are working so hard to achieve is no longere that important to us. Perhaps because it never was “our” goal to start with — but rather a goal we were told while growing up that it was something that was important to achieve in life. On the other hand, even if at some point in our life that goal was important to us, we may have found that there are better, or more fun, more productive, more adventurous ways to spend our time and energy…

Either way we may ask ourselves why we would still work toward a goal that has lost its importance — even its brilliance — to us…

In the energy we are living in today, that is often the point where in one way or another the Universe steps in and changes the circumstances.

That is what just happened.

So run with the opportunities this is giving you!