January is quickly coming to an end. I hope this year is welcoming you well. I've been
working with my Gentle January workbook a little differently than envisioned. I didn't do as much writing as I expected, but have been paying attention to how the elements move in my life and listening for what they are saying to me. Here are some insights not really, but also totally really, about elements.
1.
The world is oracular and always talking to us, we just need to know how to listen. I know this, but intentionally putting my focus on listening brought it back deeply home.
2.
It is not always important to know exactly what something means. Noticing is enough. Letting something have an impression on you is communication, it is guidance.
Sometimes I chase after literal and rational meanings. When they don't come the way I want them I think the process is not working or I am doing something wrong. Watching air do a dance with a falling leaf, letting my eyes witness the grace of it, my soul receives knowing and my mind doesn't have to understand any grander meaning. It may, but struggling to force meaning that answers a life question
is a mind game, not guidance or wisdom. You don't have to wonder if something is a grand sign and you don't have to manipulate signs into wisdom.
3.
This may need to be a tattoo on
my arm: Perfectionism is not helpful.
Not just unneeded or unwanted, but not helpful. Harmful even. Would it surprise you that I struggled with doing this elemental work, wanting to do it perfectly? I
didn't think so. The workbook is new and how I envisioned it rooting in my life was not what happened. I thought my process would go one way, it did not. It was messier, subtler, wilder than I expected and thought it "should" be.
I wanted clarity about my year, I wanted grounding and ease. I got some grounding and ease, but clarity is still hiding in the mists and ease and grounding come and go. What I did get was how much of an obstacle perfectionism is. Funny how ease and clarity and grounding, when it came, was when I dropped the quest for perfection.
Only the artificial is perfect, and even then life leaves it mark.
4.
Each day I want to feel and
know the warmth of fire, the breathe of air, the flow of water, and the strength of earth.
5.
A blessing for your week:
(Sacred Rebels Oracle by Alana Fairchild, illustrations by Autumn Skye Morrison)
May your desires become real.
Until next time, Sandi
How are the elements easing you into the year? If you have not downloaded it already, Gentle January available here.
Please share with those you think would enjoy. If you point them here they can also begin receiving five things friday.
