Awaken

There is something about the fresh smell of rain in the early morning. The water starts to glisten on the trees and grass as the grey sky slowly turns blue. The contrast between the dark and golden light is striking. In the early moments of a new day, new month, new year, it is so alive, so vivid. There is a sound that is made in this moment. You will hear it if you listen closely. It crackles. It drips. But it is more than that. There is an awakening sound that seems to come alive as the light reflects on the shimmering crystal-like surface of your own backyard. When you allow yourself to just let go of your analytical mind and slip into the rhythm of your breathing, something shifts. You connect with the energy and life all around you. The echo of the laughter and conversations the night before slip away. The tension in your body loosens as your breathing is slow and deep. Standing centered within yourself, you realize that you are connected to every living thing that is all around you. In this moment, you are alive. You are supported. You are greeted with the growing warmth of the sun as it ushers in a new day. And in this moment, I am so alive.

We all have high aspirations and big goals that we would like to see manifest in the world. We are bombarded every day with reminders and memes to ‘dream big’, have ‘positive thoughts and vibes only’, and ‘manifest your desires’. Of course, we would love to be able to do those things and have a ‘perfect life’. There is a lot of pressure that we put on ourselves, especially when we turn the page on a calendar year. We try to envision our best selves and often will create unobtainable goals that will eventually send us further away from ourselves. In a culture where everything is so fast paced and disposable, we can force unhealthy images and expectations on ourselves that will set us up to fail. When this happens, it distorts how we look at our lives and creates an unhealthy relationship with ourselves, allowing the divide within us to grow even more.  

There are small, simple actions that we can take to help us create the changes that we are looking for. They are not elaborate or anything out of the ordinary. They are actions we can take to empower ourselves while setting realistic, and achievable goals. As a result, we may have the strength, clarity, and courage to make bigger changes we wish to see in our lives. One achievable goal may be to offer a quiet space and a chance to breathe in silence for a moment. By doing so, we are acknowledging that there is more to life than the never-ending cycle of rushing around and worry. Another may be to not answer texts or calls right away. Give yourself a moment to think about what you want to say and say no if you feel you need to. We constantly overextend ourselves. We need time and space to rest and decompress, just like everyone else. Pausing and checking in on your breathing is something that seems small, but the benefits are great. Humans tend to hold their breath in tense or difficult circumstances. If we are wrapped tightly throughout the day, we end up with body aches and pains, poor digestion, and a lack of restful sleep. When we check to see how we are breathing, we are giving ourselves a chance to check in with ourselves, take a step back, and do what our body needs us to do. It will help ease the tension your body is holding and allows you to clear your mind enough to see the situation with fresh eyes and a clear mind. This will place you in control, not your stress. I know these things may seem small, but they are not easy to do. Habits are hard to break. Healthy habits take time to cultivate. But by starting with a few small things, you won’t feel like you are constantly fighting an uphill battle.

So, as you awaken to a new year, please take the time to connect to the life and energy that is moving all around you. Experience the moment of a new day and a new year just for you. Breathe deep into your body. Drink some water. Reflect and evaluate where you have been, where you are, and where you would like to go without pressure. What goals are you able to achieve today? What can be accomplished a week or a month from now? How about the goals that may take a year or two? You don’t have to be on all of the time and creating every day. You need rest, play, and fun in your life for inspiration to strike. Remember, it is the small, realistic changes in our lives that help to create the sturdy foundation for dreams to be realized. You are that foundation, and you also need to be tended and taken care of.

Thank you for walking with me each week. I am grateful for the path we share. Many blessings to you of health, love, prosperity, and joy in the new year.

Be well,

Renee Bedard ~ The Whispering Crow