Deeper Listening, Deeper Discernment, Soul Nourishing Choices

Friends, at the turning of a new year, I continue to listen deeply to the voice of my spirit, on the lookout for the Divine Nudge that always helps me discern how to Be within myself, with others, and in the world. And especially how to continue to live more deeply into Boundless Love. I wish the same for you. 

One of the messages I've received the last few winters is to hibernate; to hole up and allow a healing passage to open. This happened naturally in 2019 and 2020 because each January I had surgery, and was given the gift of a 6-week recovery. This year, no surgery (Praise Be!), yet the call was still there to enter a period of holy hibernation. Not one to squander Grace, there is where I find myself these days: cozied up to the Divine and loving every moment of it. 

To honor this sacred space of being with Presence, I've stepped away from social media. This decision was not made lightly. In fact, a sweet online friend of mine mentioned that she could feel me  moving away from it for a while now—a slow wean. It's true. The discernment process I used to listen deeply to my inner being about this was not easy and didn't happen overnight. This is true of most important discernments. They take time. They can be difficult. They can illuminate all the ways we are still not living truthfully with ourselves, or how we hide behind personas, or remain stuck in old stories--false stories—about how we think we "should" be to feel loved and accepted (or respected) by others.

Social media was just one of the places this showed up for me. I did not love it. I didn't feel nourished by it on the deepest level. In fact, for me, it was a significant distraction from silence, taking time away from my contemplation and reflection, which are so vital to my well-being. I fully understand that social media for some is just the opposite and I am so glad that others (perhaps you?) find it helpful, informative, perhaps even a lifeline to meaningful relationships and communication. I celebrate this for you. 

Each of us, because our life and time here are so very precious, must listen deeply to discern the best ways to spend our time and energy. Each of us has different needs, varying bandwidths for interaction, noise, and activity. How vital it is that we honor these needs! It is through this self-honoring process that we are able to hold gentle presence for ourselves. It is also how we can open ourselves to the Divine which I fully believe requires time and space--periods of inactivity, of solitude, silence and stillness—to be known. 

As 2021 calls you forth, may you listen to what the Sacred is inviting you to be, do or not do so that you can live from the genuine depths of your Being. And in Love ... 
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I bring myself to this moment just past.
I allow myself to receive its blessing.
Every experience has a Divine handprint upon it,
some holy invitation for me to answer.
May I look and listen to all my experiences
with my sacred senses,
so I am more fully aware of the presence of Spirit
in all that is unfolding around me.

~ JLL from Thank You Is My Prayer

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In 2021, I continue to work with individuals 1-on-1 to help them cultivate Presence for themselves and others. If this is a desire of your heart this year, my "Pure Presence Practitioner" training is available for you to begin any time.

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