Slowing Down

 

“Solitude is the place of purification.”

~Martin Buber

“There are days when solitude is a heady wine that intoxicates you with freedom.”

~Sidonie Gabrielle Colette

 

I enjoy using my oracle cards and use them only when I sense I need to. Today was one of those days. I am taking the week off to have a little respite and “me” time. Although I’m still tending to work-related tasks, the pace is much more leisurely and includes more piano time, crystal time, reading time and stillness. Typically when I use my oracle cards, I simply hold the question, “What do I most need to know?” Today’s cards were spot on and a complete affirmation of what I am in need of.

 

One of the decks I used today is Melody Beattie’s “The Language of Letting Go” cards. The one I drew today is Focusing on peace. “Today I will focus on a peaceful pace, rather than a harried one. I will keep moving forward gently, not frantically. I will let go of my need to be anxious and upset and will replace these feelings with calmness and harmony.” How incredibly appropriate! It’s so reassuring to receive affirmation like this. It was especially helpful when I received an email from someone wondering if they could come in for an extra coaching with me this week. Since it is not an emergency nor is it for an immediate performance, I glanced at my card and honored my “me time” for this week. I guess there is still a part of me that seeks permission to have some down time. This is my universal love nudge that I don’t need permission…I simply need to hear what my body, mind and spirit are saying to me. Which, interestingly enough, was something that came up when I journaled this morning. Hearing and listening. I realized that although I choose to be open to receive guidance, wisdom and insight, I don’t always include the choice to hear it. I realize how trivial this may seem, but for where I am on my journey, this is very significant. I find myself getting frustrated when I meditate or do a layout and am very aware in the moment of information coming to me, yet I rarely remember it when it is over. I don’t want to be a witness. I want to be an active participant, an active learner…an active LISTENER so I can actually USE the information in a heart-centered, intentional way.

 

The next deck I used this morning is “Earth Magic” by Steven Farmer. Again, I asked the same question but TWO cards stuck together…so I took that as a sign that I needed them both. And I do. One of the cards was “Green Man/Synergy”. Green Man is Earth’s vegetation personified; often a symbol for the rebirth of life in springtime. Some of the messages of this card include: “You are in a mutually cooperative interaction with Spirit, as your will is aligned with the will of Spirit, and your mission is congruent with your sense of purpose. There is a synergy, a way that your life force is continually coming into balance with the forces of Nature. There is also a synergy between your spiritual awareness and your personal self. Know that your Higher Self is always looking out for your best interests.” Wow. Yes, this is definitely affirmation that I have been seeking as the busy-ness of life, mixed with my personal endeavors, has been bringing surges of being overwhelmed and unsure of myself. As a matter of fact, when I went out for a run this morning, I took time to listen to all of the sounds around me: the sound of my shoes on the crushed gravel on the shoulder of the road, the sound of the trains, the sound of the birds, the sound of my breathing. I also felt a deep sense of gratitude for the reconnection with Mother Nature and being held in such a beautiful space with the sunshine and still a little crispness in the air. It made me feel more human again, as odd as that may sound.

 

The other card I pulled from the Earth Magic deck was “Island/Solitude”. Simply reading the card inspired a deep breath of connection. Some of the nuggets shared on this card include: “You need to take some time for solitude, preferably in silence. The bombardment of your sense by the noise and intensity of society leaves you on alert far more than is necessary. The vibration of millions of people’s worry and fear throughout the world can impinge upon you and greatly affect you if you do not honor your need to pull back from time to time. When you decide to spend time with yourself in solitude, you are choosing to once again find and connect with who you really are.” This is also my reminder that even though I have a concert coming up on Sunday and rehearsals later this week, I still need to honor my need for silence and solitude, which I have been doing. The part where I am continually learning to find balance is how to maintain the consistency of moments of solitude when I am in the midst of a regular work week. I know the importance of solitude to me and need to learn to listen as to how I can include it consistently, regardless of the day and the fullness of my schedule.

 

I have some growth ahead of me as I learn to consistently incorporate solitude and choose to LISTEN to the whispers of my heart and the guidance being offered. This is the kind of growth that makes my heart skip a beat, not out of fear, but out of excitement. This was the love nudge reminder that I needed. Thank you.