Day 263 - A Year to Clear - Reflections on Rest

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Lesson 263: Reflections on Rest

Based on the meditation that was done from the previous lesson, today is about reflecting on the repeated phrases of “I rest in stillness. I rest in awareness. I rest” and filling out these statements:

• When I am truly and deeply rested, I feel______

• What gets in the way of my getting deep rest is______

• What I can do to cultivate more rest in my life (starting today)______

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My answers:

• When I am truly and deeply rested, I feel rejuvenated and energised.

• What gets in the way of my getting deep rest is a hectic schedule.

• What I can do to cultivate more rest in my life (starting today) is saving days for just rest for self and not making commitments for others if I am in need of deep rest.

Day 220 - A Year to Clear - The Self In Self-Care

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Lesson 220: The Self In Self-Care

When do you really take time for self-care? Do you feel that you only focus on yourself once everyone else in your life has been taken care of? Do you make sure all the chores are done and only look after yourself when you’re sick, as taking time for self-care?

The self in self-care is just that – focusing on self. This does not include others and also does not include doing things for other people. It’s about doing things that benefit and feeds our self. When was the last time you really took the time out for yourself and how did it feel? Can you think of the last time you really put your needs over someone else’s?

I feel like I’m on a journey of self-care and that every day should have moments of self-care. My current path has been connecting to my spiritual side which I haven’t really done before. I feel like feeding my spirit is part of my self-care. My meditation, my belly dancing, magick and medium classes are all part of my own self-care. Some days when I’m late for blogging is because I’ve focused on other things that seem way more important at the time. There are days when I just want to sprawl on the couch and binge watch tv shows. I think we just need some of those days where we don’t use our minds as much because giving our brain a rest is just what we need. I think self-care is all about what you and your body need at the time. Sometimes I will go for a walk because it’s refreshing. Sometimes I will want to read or study or sleep. I guess the remedies are endless when it comes to your overall wellbeing and it’s best to do what you need to. It’s also good to remember that no one can dictate what is good for your self-care.

Day 200 - A Year to Clear - AUDIO Meditation - Accept

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Lesson 200: AUDIO Meditation - Accept

Today is about following a meditation or if you can’t access the audio meditate on the following 4 phrases:

• I am here
• I am now
• I accept
• I allow

Really take in some deep breaths and breathe in these phrases for as long as you need on each one. Be in a quiet room and just let our mind clear on each breath. Notice your feelings and emotions, notice your space, notice if you feel differently. What you want to achieve is how each of these phrases radiate out into your body, soul and mind.

I personally felt like it brought on a calmness. That I could go into nothingness whilst believing each phrase and accepting each one. I was at peace in those moments. I liked the feeling of nothing bad impacting me. Just a letting go and being free in nothingness. There isn’t really much more to explain except that it was freeing.

How did you go with the meditation?

Day 180 - A Year to Clear - Internal Markers

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Lesson 180: Internal Markers

With the clearing course, there are obvious triumphs in the physical sense of clearing but what are the “internal markers”? Is there a way to remain present and spacious when faced with situations you are normally uncomfortable in? Is there a way to get through life without having a button pressed? How does one discover those triggers that makes us cycle through the storm that comes internally?

I know for me that I see triumph over the storm when I truly face my emotions. I like to know why I might get angry at something or frustrated. Lately, I have been dealing with anxiety at work and I couldn’t figure out why. I went to see a councillor who advised that I set my expectations too high and that when they are not met, I get frustrated and anxious that situations aren’t going my way. His advice to me was to lower my expectations in my work situation. He didn’t say not to lose my high standards or lower my own beliefs, it was more so that if I place too much expectation on something then I will get disappointed. I understood what he was saying and took that on board. I think that sometimes I’m not always going to figure out my triggers on my own but at least I’m open to discovering them.

I think what I try to do with most situations with friends or family that I don’t really know if I want be around, is to give it benefit of the doubt. I am much a person of giving something a go and if it doesn’t work out, then I just don’t do it again. I think living through experience is one of the better ways I have ever lived. Just give it a try and see how it works out.

I think the trigger I do recognise that causes anger in me is the inconsideration of others and how that can impact myself and those around me. Either people don’t have compassion, they live with ignorance or they just don’t care about how their environment effects the world around them. It’s a certain selfishness that I have difficulty understanding. It can be a simple act of not letting someone out of an elevator before entering themselves or walking in front of a car that is going through a green light. It’s like people purposely act shit sometimes. I have to remind myself that not everyone thinks like me.

Overall, I think this course has taught me to look at my emotions and feelings. There is no way to go through life without getting a rise in emotions, but I feel like I’m more self-aware than ever to be able to deal with them.

Day 168 - A Year to Clear - Check In WEEK 24 - Breaking the Chain of Pain

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Lesson 168: Check In WEEK 24 - Breaking the Chain of Pain

The past 2 weeks has been about how we deal and identify with pain. It’s really about training yourself to be aware of the onset of emotions and confirming it’s yours or if you can change a pattern you normally go with. There was also a moment where we were opened to the concept of interconnectedness. That we as collective are bound together through our unconscious and conscious minds. Sometimes those emotions and feelings we think is ours might actually not be and be someone else’s.

I think the valuable lesson from these past 2 weeks is recognising that we have the power of influence. If we’re feeling a particular emotion, there is no need to bring others along with it. It’s about being more mindful how our actions can play out. Can we stop ourselves in the midst of our tracks so that we don’t recycle old patterns. We can always empower ourselves for change, so that we don’t bring about a negative vibe and decide to lift ourselves up, as well as those around us. There is always the power of change. We don’t have to get stuck in old patterns but it does take practise to become more aware to stop them from coming to surface.

Have a read over my past posts and see what is valuable to learn from. It can change your life just by facing pain and recognising how you can deal with it.