The Journey Inwards
A big shout out to all women !
I have seen many women in Clinic these past few months who I feel really proud of and I am humbled by. We females are such diverse and unique beings, and I see such strength and loving kindness among all. I see through these women such strength of character to bear the loads we carry. To move beyond past traumas, prejudices and discriminations, to pull themselves from adversity and struggle, and even escape suppression of their own true character and inherent happiness, perhaps a suppression that they have borne from years of poor relationships, or words and messages that were heard and aimed at them during their youth. The strength to move forward and celebrate life and all that is important to them….to care for their loved ones and be happy and true to themselves in this world.
Once this realisation and transformation of being true to yourself happens the ‘world is your oyster’ as they say.
But this is the hard work. This hard work requires the commitment and dedication to input time and energy to yourself. This doesn't mean you need to sit in a cave and meditate for 8 hrs a day or even an hour. Carving out 15mins every day to sit and be, to walk in nature, to remove ourselves from demands and the pulls of our modern world. But it must be a regular practice. A practice you take seriously without it being serious itself. A regular practice allows the space for connection. 15 mins a day can be far more beneficial and rewarding than a 2 hour chunk once a week. Sometimes this self-practice involves cracking open wounds and even revealing our own past unsavory actions and behaviours. Once the time and space is allowed for this, and we acknowledge our own personal history, then release and relief can be found, and a lighter and gentler path becomes obvious to us.
Clarity emerges.
It can be a subtle shift in perspective. A realisation of what is not working for you and setting the intent to change that. Once we live true to our nature, and clear grievances and let go of baggage, the very real emotional weight we carry is lifted and allows healing to occur.
Life doesn't have to be complicated. Keep it simple.
Where to start?
One of the main questions I ask in clinical practice is - what brings you joy? What exercise and activity do you like? What food and routines suit you and your constitution?
Now let’s make that happen every single day. You must set the intention to make change happen, not ‘I will get to that in a couple of days, or next week’. It must be built into your daily routine. It is not an activity that you are thinking ‘I should do that’ or ‘I need to….’, it is not another demand on you, it is an activity and a time that you are able to connect with your own personal inner joy.
If you are really not sure what this place of joy and bliss is because it has been so long since this happened….then I recommend taking time out of your day, 15 mins to sit and be...a quiet place, preferably in nature, your backyard, your balcony, somewhere where you can breathe fresh air, see a plant or two, and then…..sit comfortably, focus on your breath, listen to the sounds around you, then come back and notice your breath again, breathe in for the count of 4 and breathe out for the count of 4, the mind will wander, acknowledge the mind and then bring it back to the breath. This practice will calm your nervous system, and allows the space to access your inner bliss. This practice is accessible to everyone and guess what….it is FREE!
It is only 15 mins, but can make a world of difference to you and how you feel about yourself.
Do it every single day!