See yourself in nature. And nature in yourself.
/Eye see you!
Hey, hey! Long time, no see! As you probably know, I take the bulk of the summer off to spend with my kiddos. Coincidentally, when they are home for summer break and it also happens to also be the home/season of the Summer Solstice Sabbat - meaning it is energetically a powerhouse time of year for investing in our own growth, as well as nurturing and growing our ideas, relationships and children. And so I take a break from healing work, spend time with my family, and allow myself more freedom to read and just be.
Well, they went back to school about 2 weeks ago now and I've been slowly getting back into the work groove - updating my website, considering what products and services I want to offer, writing new content, launching my latest workbook, checking up on summer clients...you get the idea.
I finally feel like the pieces are (mostly) dusted off and back on the shelf. I launched my new workbook {FREE} on Wednesday - learn more on my website.
And so on Thursday I woke up wondering "What's next?" Of course, there the second edition of my book I still need to finish, a line of free-write/draw journals I want to start, newsletters and blog posts to write, social media to catch up on...
I eventually decided I wanted to start the day with something just for me. But what?
In true martyr mom fashion, I couldn't decide.
So I turned to my Messenger Oracle deck (a rare choice for me, but it was calling out to me from the shelf) and pulled the "See yourself in nature" card.
And it felt so perfect.
You see, I've been feeling called to get outside more but I keep coming up with excuses.
I've got work to do, the chores are piling up, the sun is too bright to work outside, my foot hurts too much to hike...
Excuses, excuses.
And so I finally did it.
I went outside.
And wandered my yard - a gorgeous 10-acre piece of mountain.
I know myself and knew this needed to be intentional time in nature.
I couldn't let myself feel pressured to hike. This wasn't about exercise or getting anywhere.
This was about reconnecting to nature and source.
This was about breathing and being.
So I wore my cute boots.
And took it slow.
I wandered.
And sat.
I breathed.
And watched.
And I enjoyed my dogs.
Slobbery kisses and all.
And then I reflected on the card - my oracle. My mission of the day. I was now in nature so I had a good start on "see yourself in nature" but I knew there was more to it. I needed to see aspects of myself in nature. I needed to see nature in my "self."
First, I noticed the aspen trees. The leaves are already starting to change here and it is so mesmerizing to watch the tiny leaves twinkle in the breeze.
And I was surprised to notice how resistant I felt to this freedom of movement. When viewed through the lens of my own life, it causes me anxiety over the lack of control. So I reflect on my life and, without judgment, embrace the lessons to be learned.
I also see the color change as a mirror for my own shifting and changing. I'm on the same path and trajectory as the rest of society, we are all awakening, but I'm just a little ahead of the bulk of the pack. I often feel alone, like I stick out among the masses, but my experience really and truly is beautiful and only a foreshadowing of what is to come for the rest of humanity.
I also saw the mountains in the distance. When we moved here, my husband and I used to debate them. In my opinion, the rocky craggy, jagged mountains are beautiful. And the snow-capped peaks are awe-inspiring. But the above-the-tree-line summertime peaks are...well, kinda blah to me. They looks like hills of dirt, barren, boring - from a distance. (My husband has always been able to see the magic in them though).
But today I notice how they rise high above the world around me and how the landscape changes. I also recall how the reality of being on those mountains is vastly different from the "dirty, barren, boring" assumptions made from afar.
In fact, when you go and visit those peaks you find that you can see forever, 360 degrees of earth and air and sky. Trees and streams and clouds. Endless beauty and possibilities. Plants actually do grow up there and animals abound. It might be different but it is still full of life.
And the air is different too - for flatlanders it might not have enough oxygen but otherwise there is a lightness and weightlessness that feels so freeing. Life feels so much less heavy, above it all - including the noise and chaos and drama of normal, everyday life.
I also had insights by:
- watching my dogs
- photographing the plants
- using my senses to explore
- visiting my kids' fort
Someday I'll share those stories as well but, for now, you get the idea.
I asked for guidance.
I listened to the messages I received.
I did the work.
And now I'm feeling lighter, free-er, more connected.
