My old, worn out shoes,
so familiar,
form to fit my imperfect feet,
adapted over time to accommodate my lopsided gate,
carrying me faithfully in my uneven stride.
There comes that time that those beloved companions have served their purpose,
worn out in functionality,
poised for retirement.
In come the replacements,
stiff,
awkward,
shifting,
adjusting.
Blisters making way for bliss – forging new connections for movement and growth.
Thinking…thinking….thinking….
No room for the heart to heal.
The cast iron vault concealing deep and splintering wounds too fragile to expose.
Can the world handle the explosion?
Is it ready for the imprisoned love and joy to be released?
Will critical thoughts, past hurts, and fear prevent the unleashing?
Oh, to find creativity again…
For creativity to find me.
Touching once more vitality,
vibrancy,
and free expression.
All that is left to do is to
Feel…feel…feel…
A bird flies overhead,
magnificent in its form and grace,
perfection in flight.
So present in its existence, movement, and being.
So seemingly joyful and at ease, even as it efforts to ride the currents of air, finding its own way.
A feather lies on the ground,
long, lush, and of complex substance and form,
once essential to the bird’s form and function.
Even the bird,
relying so heavily on its feathers for form, movement, and survival,
molts and looses critical parts of itself to maintain its dynamic essence and functional existence,
growing into its fullest capacity.
It does not wallow in the loss of its parts.
It revels in the new found strength and skill that comes from letting go
and reforming with integrity
and wholeness
over and over again.
Forgiveness is letting go of the idea that the past can be better.
AHIMSA – a Sanskrit word for non-injury, non-harming, kindness – a practice we should regularly engage in with others and ourselves according to ancient yogic traditions. But, too often hurt, loss, or betrayal cause us to want to protect the heart, put up a shield, wrap it in armor and fight back.
Opening the heart to love and loss allows one to forgive, let go of resentment, and release fear, and thus to feel all emotions more fully, including love, joy, and contentment.
Today is the day to FREE your heart, to practice Ahimsa. Shed the coat of armor, soften and expand the space surrounding your heart and allow sensations to flow through you.
Peel back the armor by inviting deeper and more fulfilling breath into your body, reaching deep down inside, freeing your breath, freeing your body, freeing your feelings.
Let your face muscles soften
…brow relax
…corners of the mouth curl up in a subtle smile
…shoulders roll back and down
… ribs move more freely as breath draws deeper into the body
…heart space opens.
Feel nurtured by your breath.
Feel the freedom beginning to unfold.
Dive into the love, joy, and freedom you bring to yourself on the wings of your breath.
Begin healing your deepest essence. Breathe in…breathe out…FREE your heart.
Monday Mindfulness 