"Dream small dreams. If you make them too big, you get overwhelmed and you don't do anything. If you make small goals and accomplish them, it gives you the confidence to go on to higher goals."
~o~ John H. Johnson ~o~
Music calming me while I write:
Reiki sound healing music by Deuter
Click on his name to hear his
beautiful healing music...
beautiful healing music...
Dear Beautiful Souls...
Deep Breath.
Healing reiki music fills the studio and helps my body relax. I do gentle reiki on myself and my animals. We slip into a calmer, quieter space, inside and out. My tiny blind pug is asleep on my feet under the blanket over my lap. Becoming a Reiki Master was one of the most important things I have ever done for myself. As a woman with bi polar disorder and a severe anxiety disorder when I get into these hard places I now have tools that help me through and I use them.
I have also been listening to dolphin music. The song of the dolphins calms me like almost nothing else and speaks to me in a language that my conscious mind cannot understand but my soul sings with, as if swimming through and leaping up out of the waves with the dolphins. The movement, seen and felt with eyes closed and my breath slow and regular, brings me into balance. We have to learn self-care, we have to learn how to manage life without being over-medicated. I am at the beginning of decreasing, slowly, a very powerful medication, with my doctor's guidance, that I have been on for years for anxiety. It is -- I almost said "a very hard time for me" but this is not true. It is a time of deep awareness and concentrated discipline. -- I will not allow my senses to be medicated keeping a veil eternally between myself and what lies around me. Some medication I will always have to take, but I will handle the relentless, lifelong anxiety naturally and without the aid of drugs once I gently taper off. There are so many herbs and natural alternatives, but reiki and music help me most of all. Breathwork and meditation. I just bought an iPod, the classic, not fancy, but I have been filling it with music and meditation material. I will do what I can to be drug free except for the bi polar medication that I will always be on. Less is more, and I will be happy with less.
I have also been listening to dolphin music. The song of the dolphins calms me like almost nothing else and speaks to me in a language that my conscious mind cannot understand but my soul sings with, as if swimming through and leaping up out of the waves with the dolphins. The movement, seen and felt with eyes closed and my breath slow and regular, brings me into balance. We have to learn self-care, we have to learn how to manage life without being over-medicated. I am at the beginning of decreasing, slowly, a very powerful medication, with my doctor's guidance, that I have been on for years for anxiety. It is -- I almost said "a very hard time for me" but this is not true. It is a time of deep awareness and concentrated discipline. -- I will not allow my senses to be medicated keeping a veil eternally between myself and what lies around me. Some medication I will always have to take, but I will handle the relentless, lifelong anxiety naturally and without the aid of drugs once I gently taper off. There are so many herbs and natural alternatives, but reiki and music help me most of all. Breathwork and meditation. I just bought an iPod, the classic, not fancy, but I have been filling it with music and meditation material. I will do what I can to be drug free except for the bi polar medication that I will always be on. Less is more, and I will be happy with less.
And I have been so overwhelmed, by the smallest details, that sitting with the pugs, huddled together with their soft warm bodies and soothing music, has been the best medicine. I wrote to a very dear woman that I was supposed to begin working with once a week starting tomorrow. Something has stopped me every time I tried to do the prep work and this is not like me. When this happens I know that spirit is speaking to me and I heed the call of spirit. I have asked her if we can reschedule after the holidays.
Do not let yourself be overwhelmed by overwhelm. Stop. Right where you are. Breathe in and out slowly and consciously relax your body from your toes up to the top of your head, very, very slowly. Now get out a piece of paper and write down every single thing you are "supposed" to be doing. Now cross off every single thing that you can.
I am working on an eBook that will be going out to my mailing list. I am very happy with it so far and it will be finished soon but I cannot press or rush myself right now and I think the best thing I can do for the dear ones on my list is to take care of myself, for in doing so it will perhaps allow them the space to be gentler and kinder to themselves. I always get the work done, and what I've learned is that when it comes right down to it there is really very little you can't cross of your list. When you've crossed everything off that you think you can let it sit for awhile and then go back and make a list of the things that were left. Breathe, relax, let the energy in your body release, flow, and go. Now, look at that list again and see what else you can cross off. Learn to say no, kindly. We must always be kind to those around us as we let go of their expectations. You may be giving them a gift, a gift that says, "Take care of yourself dear one, it's okay to let go, it's okay to say no, the right time will come, and then we will proceed if it feels right to do so."
Drift, Dream, Let Go...
This is my work now. This is what is burbling up like a gentle brook rising inside of me. My soul's calling has become clearer. I am called to work with people with a technique I have developed and long prepared for called "Deep Listening Soul Guidance." It is the exact right thing that I am supposed to do, but I tried to rush it and I pulled back. I have the domain name and have begun to design the website but I will do it when the time is right and it will be early next year. If I am to guide other tender souls I have to shepherd my own first into a place of calm and relaxation, I have to listen to my heart's call. This is the best gift I can give my students and myself. Drift, dream, let go... until later.
I am completely wrapped in Deuter's music. My whole body is sinking into this chair and in a moment I will pick up my tiny blind girl and cuddle her to me and we will have a quiet day here. No pressures. Gently guiding yourself into this space can feed you in such a beautiful, fulfilling way that when you return to the tasks at hand you can accomplish more than you ever knew you could. We can give to overflowing from a full cup, never the reverse.
And so I leave you now to cuddle my babies and listen to this music. I am cold. I will wrap myself in blankets and build a fire. My body is releasing a medication that it has been on for many years and it is serious work for my body, even slowly, gently, and guided by my doctor. It is the most important work that I can do now. And so I will relax into this space and be ever so gentle with myself, and enjoy the aromas, the house redolent of the meat and vegetables and spices in the crockpot filling the cottage. I am easing my way into ease. I am reaching out and touching you gently on the cheek and hoping that you might do the same. Be ever so gentle and kind to yourself. Tender. Love yourself enough to put you first, all the while holding your dear ones in your heart. Taking care of yourself is the best gift that you can give them. Trust me. I know.
I go now to make a cup of tea and breathe with my little fur girl on my belly. So tea, reiki, music, puglings, warm covers, and doing whatever I am led to do by spirit on this interesting journey ahead is my work now.
It is time, I am ready, it is part of a new life unfolding. I am awake, aware, at peace, and so, I pray, are you...
Warm Regards and Deepest Blessings to all...
Warm Regards and Deepest Blessings to all...
4 comments:
A beautiful article Maitri and so very wise! As a busy person I often push and push, even though I coach my clients not too! I came into the living room late one evening explaining to my very wise husband that I had worked late in my office again, because I had so much I had to do. He looked at me and said, "You don't HAVE to do anything." I have carried his wise words with me since that day...when I get tired or overwhelmed; I too take a break, and do self-Reiki. Your words Maitri are a blessing to so many, especially at the holiday season. Be well!
What a lovely post, I am fortunate to have found your blog. I just got my second reiki attunement two weeks ago. I will use it and your advice to not be overwhelmed by overwhelm!
Blessings to you,
Krysten
Sweet Judith,
I'm sorry for the delay in answering but I was taking my own advice about pulling back and quieting down for self-care to move through a challenging time. I know that YOU, as MY coach, surely understand! And yes, we must remember that there is only a certain amount of time in any given day that we can really work productively at the highest level. To achieve that level and make the best use of our time we must eat well, get enough rest, and do the things in our "off" time to enrich and feed our lives, our bodies, our souls so that we are able to give from a full cup. I think that people are always tired not only because of lack of sleep but they skip the self-care and down time. A lesson I've finally learned and teach my students.
Blessings to you dearheart and thank you for your kind words...
Maitri
Krysten,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write in, it means more than you could possibly know. And I am so glad that you found reiki. It is such a gentle, yet powerful, healing modality. Even doing it on myself has helped me enormously, and I work with my animals all the time and they benefit greatly as well.
I'm so glad that you have found Dragonfly Cottage through my blog here. I mean for it to be a gentle, loving place of support and kindness and comfort for all who come. I wish you beautiful days ahead, and a lovely Thanksgiving...
Maitri
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