May 6, 2020
“Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful.” Margaret J. Wheatley, American writer
Knowing that I’m a long-time fan, a friend recently forwarded to me a talk given by spiritual teacher/author, Caroline Myss. The title: I want to give you a word today that is pure grace. Intrigued, I watched the whole thing. The word? Reflection. During this time, Myss urges us to find deeper meaning while isolated. In truth, I find it easier to look back then to try and imagine a future beyond the pandemic. What has been revealed is cleansing and healing. Surely, this will support me when I re-emerge from isolation.
Last January I started an art journal intended to guide me to an eventual Crone ceremony—claiming the Wise Woman Within. It wasn’t until listening to Myss’ blog that I realized my journal is filled with reflections. Without intention, what emerged was devoting a few pages for each decade of my life. Childhood, teens, 20s, and 30s. I’m about to start reflecting on my 40s. I will look through old photos, calendars, cards and such to shed light on the past. Stickers, collage images and acrylic paints light up the pages.
Reflection has nudged me to go within and feel. To allow memories of my life to surface. Some happy, some sad. Some to keep, some to let go. I’ve performed letting go rituals at each of the Full and New Moons. It’s been a fun and creative work in progress, especially with so much time on my hands.
With Thursday’s Full Moon, the last of a trinity of Super Moons, I intend to use the time to sit quietly and just be. By day under the Sun and by night under the Moon. To reflect, and in reflecting come home to myself. There I find a much lighter and brighter version of the current me. Anxiety slips away, even if for a short time. It’s my birthright—and yours—to enjoy life, regardless of appearances.
“And the world cannot be discovered by a journey of miles, no matter how long, but only by a spiritual journey, a journey of one inch, very arduous and humbling and joyful, by which we arrive at the ground at our feet, and learn to be at home.” (From THE EARTH SPEAKS, passage written by Wendell Berry)
Caroline Myss (pronounced Mace) is an American author of numerous books and audio tapes, including five New York Times Best Sellers: Anatomy of the Spirit, Why People Don’t Heal and How They Can, Sacred Contracts, Invisible Acts of Power, Entering the Castle, and Defy Gravity.
https://www.myss.com/i-want-to-give-you-a-word-today-that-is-pure-grace-video/