Today we’re winding down an interesting path that leads to the topic of valuable life reflections.
Stay with me as I set the context.
For the last week, I’ve had a raging sinus infection. It actually started when my nap turned into sleeping the entire afternoon.
Within a day, I was down for the count with a raging headache that made thinking impossible and sleep a modicum of consolation. While sleep was healing part of my body, it was wreaking havoc on my back as spasms set in and made it impossible for me to move.
I was not only missing work, I was missing planned dates with friends, weekend gatherings, volunteering and life in general. Needless to say, after a week I was a hot mess, physically and emotionally.
I reached out to a friend who practices Chinese medicine. He reminded me that I’m in a Lake year. The Lake year is all about reflection. It’s a time to reflect on my life which brings with it an opportunity to reinvent or transform.
He gently reminded me that the glassy smoothness of a still lake allows us to see ourselves clearly reflected in the mirror of the water. If we churn the water, or churn our life, it’s impossible to see a clear reflection of ourselves or life.
Reflection requires us to slow down, take a beat or two out of our busyness to connect with what’s important.
If we don’t take the time on our own initiative, life has a way of forcing our hand.
He provided several examples of life interjecting if we are speeding through life:
getting a speeding ticket,
getting sick or injured,
cancelled appointments,
missed opportunities,
anything forcing us to sit on the sidelines when we wanted to be in the game.
If we speed through life without reflecting, we may get somewhere, but it may not be where we ultimately want to go.
When we slow down to reflect and get clear on our true desires and direction in life and how we show up in it, we then have a more accurate compass to guide our next steps.
If this is vibing with you and you recognize you need some time to reflect on life before you’re forced into the reflection, let me offer an exercise to help you calibrate your compass.
First, give yourself permission to connect with yourself and your inner wisdom.
Second, take a couple of deep breaths with slow releases. Soften your face muscles, relax your shoulders and empty your mind.
Third, in your relaxed state, go to a mirror and take a good, long, slow, thoughtful look into your eyes. Really connect and see yourself. Hold the gaze. Be gentle.
Then, ask yourself:
- What do you see?
- Who do you see?
- Do you like what you see? Please remember to be gentle in asking and replying – no judgment – seek to understand.
- What would you like to change?
- Is it time to to accept something that you see rather than change it?
- Who do you want to be?
- How do you want to be?
- What do you desire?
- Is it time to let something go?
- Is it time to call something in?
When you feel complete, give yourself a healthy dose of love and gratitude for the guidance.
Finally, while it is all fresh, take the time to journal what you discovered.
My body, mind and spirit recovered by honoring my own reflections. May you find the restorative power of reflection and engage with your life at a deeper level.
Where is your compass taking you? Share in a comment below and let’s enjoy the journey together.
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My entire life has been in the pursuit of what stirs my heart, daring to follow it and having the unstoppable conviction to achieve it. Purpose, passion and values aligned to create my path while audacity nudged my courage to help me excel at taking on big change to go after it.
I am here to help you find your way and learn how to confidently use your authentic voice, unlock your potential and courageously build a purposeful life you love!
Carpe Diem!
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