Your soul’s path leads to many vibrational matches as you navigate this earthly journey. The only requirement is acceptance of what is when it shows up in your life. I’m laughing inside right now because here I am attempting to write about the path of least resistance and I’m feeling so frustrated because I keep getting interrupted by outside influences. The more I try to control the situation the more stuck I feel in my writing. Now isn’t that ironic? Okay, take a breath and just write. Write whatever comes and stop resisting! Maybe I wasn’t meant to write about the depths of resistance today but rather about how we fight what is. We kick and scream and want it to go a certain way, and the universe just chuckles, shakes its mighty light, and waits.
When we try to force something does it feel jagged and disconnected, or does it flow naturally? My experience has been not only jagged but rocky as the Grand Canyon. Another interruption and I’m learning to go with the flow. Not really, in this moment I’m feeling pretty darn frustrated. I know it’s a lesson. How may I release and center myself? A few breaths and gathering the quiet once again.
I was thinking about the resistance path the other day as I came across this beautiful flower (above) easing itself through a wrought iron fence, blooming in all its glory. No fear or frustration that the fence would block its growth, or its beauty. Just an easy flowing graceful arrival. My guess is even if it had a bit of a struggle reaching its full bloom it redirected itself toward the light and trusted the magic that would unfold. And it did. Just as nature always does. It doesn’t question the whys and the hows, it just continues on its natural course. It innately knows the path of least resistance is the most free-flowing feeling in existence. It allows, and experiences, and releases, over and over again. It doesn’t hold on and mull over every encounter, instead, it gives thanks with gratitude in its being and moves on.
It is then that every experience, every encounter, and yes, every interruption we have in our lives climbs the Grand Canyon and reaches the nirvana of our dreams. Breathing it in with a knowing that each fork in the road, and every detour, had meaning behind it all. All we need to do is walk through the iron fence and recognize the beauty of our being.
Love because it raises everyone’s vibration around you. Love because it brings abundance into your life. Love because it makes you feel good from your head down to your toes. Love just because.
Love because it can’t help but bring a smile to your face and everyone you come in contact with. Love because it’s hard for someone to feel anger when in the presence of love. Love because people need love. Love because it’s hard to hate with love in the room. Love because you like feeling warm. Love just because.
Love because the world needs more love. Love because darkness can’t survive in the light. Love because your Light won’t have it any other way. Love because the devil in me needs your Light. Love because my hand touching yours pulls you out of the depths of despair. Love because there is no other way to thrive in this world. Love just because.
Love because the spirit in you remembers the reason you are here. Love because your purpose is to love. Love because walking your journey here on earth began with love. Love because it is the only way to truly enjoy life. Love because it frees you from the shackles of your mind and allows you to live in the present. Love because what you extend out always bounces back. Love because it reminds you to love yourself just as you are. Love just because.
Love because the angel in me sees the angel in you. I love you just because.
I forgot. I forgot balance is the key to everything. So when I injured my knee, it not only woke up the interconnected muscles and vessels within my body, it woke up my mind. I had already been nursing an achilles tendon injury when I received this second wake-up call, so it became very clear that something needed to change in order for me to unclog my pathway to health.
I love my walks. Experiencing nature with the sun warming my shoulders brings joy to my soul. The only problem is it became too routine. Too much of anything can tip the balance bar and throw you into the abyss if you’re not careful. I forgot to mix up my exercise and stretch other parts of my body, and stretching was exactly what I was missing. Remember the day when you could stretch for two minutes before a run? Now, learning the hard way, I’ve discovered I need to stretch 20 minutes before a walk! My new routine consists of some yoga poses, breathwork, stretching, and fascia rolling. Yep, good old fascia rolling. I remember my chiropractor suggesting this years ago. I felt uncoordinated trying to roll on this hard tube, not to mention it hurt, so I gave up. Not a good decision. If I had kept it up, along with stretching, I may not be in the position I am now. I’ve also discovered a wonderful hand held fascia roller that gets into the tight spots a floor roller cannot. The combination works wonders.
By definition, fascia is a thin casing of connective tissue that surrounds and holds every organ, blood vessel, bone, nerve fiber, and muscle in place. The tissue does more than provide internal structure; fascia has nerves that make it almost as sensitive as skin. When we have stuck energy in our body, it can’t help but clog that connective tissue, creating pain in the body.
Many of you reading this may be experiencing, or have experienced, similar injuries or ailments. You understand the patience that is required to heal. When I had my frozen shoulder 10 years ago I embarked on a similar journey. It’s so important that we listen to our bodies. Our minds may try to trick us and tell us to ignore the pain and move on, but wisdom tells us otherwise. It’s not easy for me to take days off from walking but I’m learning to accept that my yoga/stretching routine may be all that my body requires that day. When I listen, my pains respond with relief.
In doing my own research on fascia I’ve learned a few things that have helped me release the sticky stuckness. I talked about this in my last post, Back in the Saddle!, addressing the emotional side of feeling stuck. When we store stress and unresolved emotions how can it not stick to your bones? In my case, literally. It’s when we make the decision to really do something about it that release is possible. Here are some wonderful fascia busting tips that can bring fluidity back into your body, mind, and soul:
*Stretch at least 10 minutes a day.
*Add collagen to your drinks/smoothies.
*Hydrate with water. Recommended amount is half your body weight in ounces.
*Practice a relaxing yoga such as Yin Yoga.
*Meditate and practice breathwork 5-20 minutes daily. Diaphragmatic breathing (breathing from deep down in your belly rather than your chest) is optimal.
*Roll out your tight spots with a fascia roller.
*Mix cardio into your exercise. Swimming and biking have been great for me! Less jarring on the tendons.
*Take saunas. Especially after a workout.
*Practice Block Therapy. A wonderful new practice in breaking up the fascia.
*Get a nice deep tissue massage (if deep tissue is too painful for you, ask for lighter pressure) and drink lots of water afterward. I had an amazing one recently and felt so much better.
*See an acupuncturist. This has really helped me with healing and with sleep. I also get a shot of B12 on my visits.
*Work with your chiropractor/physical therapist on proper form for stretches.
*Be true to yourself. Express your thoughts and feelings. Honor YOU.
With all this very valuable information being noted, I will never give up my nature walks. I only need to remember to keep them in perspective. Reminding myself it’s the joy of the walk in moderation, along with other forms of exercise. If I walk a mindful mile feeling at one with nature it is far more beneficial than racing through five miles. After all, what value has life if it isn’t enjoyed?
Click here for some valuable information on diaphragmatic breathing and block therapy.
A special thank you to my friend and energy healer, Marci Lubore, who kindly directed me toward this wonderful fascia roller and block therapy. She works wonders through many healing modalities including essential oil blends and energy work. For more information and scheduling, she can be reached at Healing Touch Energy Therapy at marci.lubore@gmail.com.
It’s amazing how fast six years flies. But then again, it feels like an eternity. So much has happened in those gut-wrenching joyful years that I completely forgot to write. I recently wrote Sacred Selfpartly to see if I would have the strength to push the publish button. Writer’s block? More like one big life block. I went through a divorce, moved from New York to Florida, closed up my practice and started over again; and then the whirlwind of March of 2020 began. That sent us all into a tailspin of sorts, but who knew it would manifest so many happenings in the way that it did. Almost like a tornado that spins out of control, and then when everything and everyone drops, the wreckage is so overwhelming you don’t know where to begin. Instead of waiting, I’m choosing to put my foot in the stirrup and begin again.
Interestingly, I’ve been preparing to write for the past few months. I even created a beautiful writing room decorated in pinks and greens surrounded by photos of all that I love. The room is certainly delicious eye candy but I couldn’t bring myself to sit in my lovely green velvet chair and peck the keys. My recently injured knee was even screaming at me to explore what the heck was holding me back, literally feeling stuck in the bowels of cement. A piece of this exploration led me to an amazing Shaman who so clearly directed me toward the center of my healing. The first words I spoke to him when I walked into his space filled with serenity and breathing crystals were, “I’m feeling stuck.” He looked at me and said, “You need to be writing.” Those five words shook me to the core. My soul screaming, “Finally, now listen!” More healing evolved in that session as I laid down on the warm amethyst crystal mat, my legs literally vibrating as we moved into sound healing ringing with tuning forks. With every deep breath, angels began surrounding me, especially Archangel Raphael who is the healer of spiritual and physical ailments. We then delved into a few of my past lives which opened me up to more healing, bringing me full circle to challenges and joys in this life. I left the session with a new perspective and understanding of my sticky stuckness.
There are times in life when we get thrown. As someone who rode horses in my younger years, I couldn’t have imagined how the phrase, “when you fall off that horse, you get back on”, would play out in my life. At 12 years old I took that very poignant phrase quite literally. Every time I fell off I did get back on that horse, fearing I may never get back on again. My memory brings me back to a time when I was jumping through a series of hurdles and my sweet horse, Early Aurora, tripped and threw me through the air, landing with a loud thud. It knocked the wind out of me, which was very scary. If you’ve ever had this happen to you, you know what I mean, you think you’ll never breathe again! Thankfully, I was at a horse show so they were prepared for these kinds of accidents. I remember hearing the whirring siren of the ambulance coming closer and I began thinking, “No, no, no, breathe and get back on!” My fear of giving up was greater than living in fear. What is life, after all, if we live it feeling fearful. Aren’t we here to experience it all, every risk, bump, and bruise? That’s what I was thinking as I lay on the ground. I caught my breath and stood up just as the ambulance reached me. My expression determined, I walked over to Aurora (who was patiently waiting for me), put my foot in the stirrup and got right back on. She was always my fellow warrior so it wasn’t surprising that with renewed resolve, we held our heads high, looked at the jumps once again with our focus clearer this time, flew through them and thrived!
And so it goes, we move forward in this world with the intention to thrive. We all have the ability, the only requirement is to live in faith and trust, knowing that first step builds the monument to your dreams. Every dreamer deserves that castle in the sky, and it is with love of ourselves and others, that that Light in the sky becomes a reality. What is your purpose here on earth? Take that first step; put your foot in the stirrup, focus, gather your strength, and jump! Your Spirit will thank you.
Aurora and I thriving at the Philadelphia Spectrum, circa 1973
*If you’re looking for an amazing heart opening, shamanic experience, click here to schedule a session with Don Reed Simmons at the Om Shoppe in Sarasota, Florida. More information can be found about Don on their website if you scroll to the bottom of the main page and click on “Our Staff/Team”. Happy inner exploration!
Recently, I had a client who told me she forgave her mother but she still had some residual feelings that were gnawing at her every time she thought about their relationship. My client asked, “Does that mean I haven’t really forgiven her?” After thinking about the many years I’ve sat in my therapist chair listening to countless stories of pain and enlightenment, as well as my up-close and personal experiences with forgiveness, I’ve come to this conclusion. Forgiveness is a process. It begins in your mind and has a need to settle there for a while in order to give your brain a chance to accept and embrace what is to come. We know that forgiveness is mainly about healing yourself, especially your heart. When we release from another’s hold on us it really is freeing, and extremely empowering. When the mind ultimately believes in the truth of its forgiveness it begins to travel to the heart. I explained to my client that she is preparing to travel further into her forgiveness, but first we must work through some of those residual issues and release. Once released, we then do the inner work to fill those gaps that never got filled in childhood. It is never too late to learn to nurture yourself, but first you must truly let go of the resentments seething inside and realize your healing is solely (and soul-y) up to you now. Whether your parents did the best they could, or they didn’t, it’s time to let that go and give yourself a fresh start.
Once your mind assimilates into forgiveness and journeys to the heart, you will feel a peacefulness you haven’t felt before. Your soul smiles knowing that you have received the message of love that stands before you. All feels right in the world because all resentments have been lifted. You’ve let go and blown the heaviness of your burdens into the universe, reaching the completion of full forgiveness.
So when my client asks me if she hasn’t really forgiven because she still has some residual resentments, I simply look at her and say, “Your mind just hasn’t caught up with your heart yet.” And her soul smiles.
“I’ve learned that things change, people change, and it doesn’t mean you forget the past or try to cover it up. It simply means that you move on and treasure the memories. Letting go doesn’t mean giving up… it means accepting that some things weren’t meant to be.” ~Lisa Brooks
To listen to my show on Passion, Motivation & Performance simply click on the link below, sit back, relax & rejuvenate. Have a salubrious day everyone! Peace~
The choice to let go and let God, in a quest to eliminate our attachment to being right, is simplified with these few words: You’re right about that. – Dr. Wayne Dyer
If we all could learn to say, “you’re right about that” more often there would be a lot more understanding in this world. Just saying this phrase opens you up to listen, not judge, accept, and learn. Learn that your attachment to being right isn’t the answer. That is only ego puffing out his little chest. In practicing being open you just might learn something of value.
When we have to be “right” we block all other information from entering our conscious and unconscious mind. Imagine what we might miss in this stubborn process! I learn from you, you learn from me, and maybe, just maybe, we can work together and journey to a productive outcome.
Ego attachment leaves you alone and lonely. While you are sitting with yourself in your legendary mind remember that it takes love, caring, forgiveness and giving service to others to feel whole again. We are all a part of each other, open to working and creating together. Dictation and separation only leaves pieces of fluff floating in the air. Do you choose to be whole and full or empty and scattered? Always your choice.
So….even though I suggest you not attach to ego, if you look at me and say, “I like my ego and I have to be right!”, I just might say to you, “you’re right about that.” Imagine the conversation that could unfold. Maybe, just maybe, we will learn from each other.
“I never jumped in and rescued you,
but I wanted to
I didn’t tell you which way to go,
’cause I thought you’d know…
I never told you I told you so, but I told you so
Have to let it go
It’s time to let it go”
~ Barenaked Ladies, lyrics to “Told You So”
We’ve all been there, thinking we can control the outcome of someone’s destiny. Trying so hard to help and hold on, but is it really helping you or the person you’re trying to “help”? Oftentimes, we are only getting in the way of the lessons that require learning. If someone you love has a path of many face plants, then you must accept that and let go of the illusion of control. In most cases, the lesson will be learned. If not, well, it was never your lesson to be responsible for in the first place. It’s time to let it go….
On the flip side of this coin is YOU. Only you can steer your ship, no one else. You must be the one to pave your way, put the energy and work into your dreams, and drive to your destination. However long it takes, no matter how many mountains you must cross, stay with your own journey and you will stake your flag at the end of the marathon. This doesn’t mean that you don’t reach out for support along the way. Those that truly care about you will be there for you, as you are there for them. Gather support from your friends, family, loved ones, and all universal energy. You will be well on your way to your dream fulfillment.
Allow those you love to experience their own path. Release energy into your journey, let go and give Source the freedom to guide you, all the way to the finish line. Namaste.
Cynthia Brennen, LMSW 