Acknowledging seasonal changes
Wildlife biologists believe that birds know when it’s time to migrate for the winter by the position of the sun in the sky. As fall approaches, they instinctively recognize the shortening days and the changing angle of light and feel unease as the time for their great journey approaches.Animals also prepare for winter. Squirrels forage for nuts and acorns. Bears eat more than normal to store up fat reserves for hibernation. Wolves grow thicker fur coats.Although we might try to pretend otherwise, underneath our intellect and our...
Extending the consideration we give strangers to ourselves
It’s late fall here in Wisconsin. The leaves have mostly fallen off the trees, and my lawn is now a kaleidoscope of color. Due to a busy schedule over the last month, I haven’t had time to do the usual autumn outdoor chores. The last week or so, I’ve been aware of heavy energy creeping up in the form of two thoughts: “You should have raked by now” and “You really ought to take better care of your yard.” From there it was a short slide to feeling like I was lazy or being a bad homeowner.This morning, I...
In nature, when we feel someone watching us
While out in nature, have you ever felt someone watching you? You even turned and looked to see if a hiker was coming up the trail behind you, but no one was there.Quite likely, someone was there, but it might not have been a person.An animal or a bird may have been hiding nearby, observing you to see if they needed to be concerned for their safety. Or a nature spirit may have been watching. Many kinds of beings live in nature – including fairies, elementals, tree spirits, and land guardians.Your instincts may have perceived the...
Recognizing our shadow
Our shadow pieces are aspects of our personality we so deeply deny that we keep them hidden from view, only to have them pop out in unexpected, embarrassing or hurtful ways.We perceive of our shadow traits as so bad, so awful, so harmful to our image of ourselves that we disown them and send them into exile. Yet, that which we deny holds great power, and by pushing them away, we give them energy and strength. Eventually the pressure builds, and we act out of our shadow.A married family values politician who becomes embroiled in a sex scandal...
Clearing limiting agreements
In my “Healthy Boundaries for Empaths” class, we learn seven tools to be more comfortable with our sensitivity to energy. As we practice each technique, we track the limiting agreements that arise. I call these the “yah, buts…”. As in, “Yah, but that tool wouldn’t work for me because _________{ fill in the blank }_________.”Whatever follows the start of that sentence is almost always a limiting belief – a story that we have told ourselves about how we must act or view the...
Caring for the basic needs of our body
At times, we put considerable time and energy into ignoring the needs of our body. Bring your awareness to these scenarios. How often do you:· feel thirsty – but continue working without pausing to take a drink of water?· feel sleepy – but force yourself to do one more thing before going to bed?· need to use the bathroom – but hold it because the timing isn’t convenient?· ...