The reality of diving into our spiritual work

“I wish I could show you, when you are lonely or in darkness, the Astonishing Light of your own Being!”

“Even

After

All this time

The Sun never says to the Earth,

You owe me.”

“One regret dear world, that I am determined not to have when I am lying on my deathbed is that I did not kiss you enough.”

“Look

What happens

With a love like that

It lights the whole sky”

“This place where you are right now, God circled on a map for you.”

“Don’t surrender your loneliness so quickly

Let it cut more deep

Let it ferment and season you

As few human

Or even divine ingredients can

Something missing in my heart tonight

Has made my eyes so soft

My voice

So tender

My need of God

Absolutely

Clear.”

Written by Hafiz (Shamsedin-Mohammad Hafez Shirazi), a Persian lyric poet Sufi mystic who lived in the 1300’s.

I came across this poem a few weeks ago. I wanted to share it with you and write about why it resonated with me. It has reminded me to stay in my lane. To not make my experiences wrong and not take anyone’s reaction to heart. Some days I feel so lit up and excited about doing the daily work. Exploring my shadows, sitting with the pain, questioning my ego. Some days I want to switch it all off and cook and read all day (which I do!).

Some days feel hard and heavy. I had a few of these days last week. For me they often start with a physical symptom (sore neck, back or migraine). I am still learning to listen to my body before it gets to this point, but sometime I miss those more subtle signs. These are the days I switch off from social media and my phone as much as possible. The days I scale back what I am doing socially and what I am doing in my business. The days I remind myself I need the rest and integration time. The days I go gently. I cook easy meals, I rest during the day, I drink less caffeine and I sleep early. I help my body heal and restore. They are the days I remind myself that I need this time.

From a business point of view, I do try and show up as I am, but at the same time allow myself that time away from social media. It is a fine tricky balance. I keep up my daily rituals such as yoga, meditation and grounding. I eat foods that nourish my body, I use my oracle cards and journaling and I use essential oils that support me. I go into a bubble. That is what I know I need. The secret is working out what you need in these times to nuture yourself. And then to go and do that.

I think when you have experienced pain, trauma, anxiety, fear you feel like it will never end, I remind myself there is always light. There always has been and will be. I lean on those around me in my inner circle and tell them I am not ok and ask for what I need. Then, as if by magic, the fog starts to lift, the headache goes way, my energy returns. I thank my body for looking after me. I tell her that I will try not to push to that point (I do try my best but I also have compassion for myself). I learn some incredible thing about me, my body, my spirit. I have an experience that I feel might help others so I share it. I have an idea about an event, a blog post, a story to share.

My tips for you? Listen to your body and your intuition. Rest and retreat when you need to. Shout from the rooftops when you need to. Be proud that you are doing this work. Put one step in front of the other. Every day is a new day.