Greetings dear Sunny Optimists,
I felt in a quiet, contemplative space this morning when I sat down to write for you today. It felt right to be gentle with myself and with you too. I realised that I wanted to take the space and time to just ‘be’ together. I imagined us out in nature, sitting in a circle with our eyes closed. We slowly allow ourselves to drop into our bodies and relax. We breathe together in companionable silence and stillness. There is nowhere else to be and nothing else to do.
These moments of connection are so dear to me. If we do nothing more today than breath together, then I am content. You are all so very precious to my wellbeing; I am not alone.
I would love to know how you are today:)
Holding the Question
In my Earth Wisdom training, we have a protocol called 'Holding the Question'. I find it helpful to craft a question when there is a situation or challenge with no easy answer(s). In such times, holding the question is a way to stop me from becoming overwhelmed by uncertainty. This inquiry can help me look into what might be needed. Also, it can signpost me to where simplicity lies beyond the complexity within a situation.
It is powerful to open up a basket to gather responses to the question. I have chosen the word 'responses' quite deliberately. We are not attempting to find answers. It is more to let the question percolate for a while and drop observations into the basket as they arise.
Responses may come when you are washing up or out for a walk, sleeping, or conversing with another person. All the responses are welcome, even if they feel pessimistic. You don't review that basket for a while; you just stay open. There comes the point sometimes in a few days, sometimes in a few weeks when the basket signals ii is ready for review.
I love to see what wisdom is there for me in my question basket. So often, I find that a theme arises that resonates in my heart, and it feels perfect. Then, with insight and clarity, there is a sense of ease in moving forward.
Guided Visualisation for this Week
Over our time together, we have shared the wisdom from one of my favourite books called 'Meditations through the Year' by Dorothea Breitzter-Kings. Each month, she offers a guided visualisation based on the seasonal cycle.
For February we journey to sit by the sea and take in the sights and smells there.
Dorothea offers that the sea's vastness and bounty are akin to the 'inner ocean of potential within us.' She encourages us to attune to the rhythm of the waves and dive into the 'wealth of diversity, strange and wonderful, that abounds in the depth of our own inner ocean.' She ends on an optimistic note that we can always return to this inner home whenever things are challenging. To 'sail the rainbow waves from which, quite unexpectedly, some unknown treasure may yet one day be washed ashore’.
Gorgeous!
Click here or on the photo above to listen to the meditation. As always, a deep bow of gratitude to my coach and friend Tim Uffindell for the exquisite piano accompaniment.
We hope it lifts your spirits and opens you to your vast potential of possibilities.
A Suggested Question to Hold this Week
From this month's visualisation, Dorothea makes a lovely suggestion to;
'take a little while to ponder how much more there is to life than that which we can see and know; and feel the presence of that inner ocean of potential which is always there for you.'.
Is that not just wonderful? The potential to love, the potential to be happy, the potential to be well, and the potential to make a difference in others' lives. I can feel my heart expanding as I touch into the warmth of this.
From this quotation, I offer the following question to hold this week.
How much more is there to see and know that taps into your inner ocean of potential?
I offer this question to build insight from beyond the known, beyond the ordinary, to the extraordinary. To tap into the wisdom that is available to you if you take time to listen deeply. To feel more able to discern and respond in your unique way to life's challenges and opportunities.
I invite you to follow the holding the question protocol described earlier. and see what magic is revealed.
As always, I would love to hear from you.
Ann
Thank you Ann for writing this. Your posts always take me to a deep contemplative space inside of myself. ❤️