There is something about the early spring snowstorms that I love. Yes, there is snow. It is cold. Ferocious winds blow. The trees bend and branches whip around. The accumulation gathers, layering upon the tiny snowdrops and crocus flowers while the tulips and daffodils question if it is time to breach the surface. Yet, as the last flakes of the storm fall silently, there is something else that moves through the storm. It empowers the birds to continue to sing. It moves the cold, grey sky to give way to a warm pink and hopeful blue. The energy is different with a spring snow. Although the winter wails and shakes with its last breaths and clutching claws, grasping tightly to its waning power, there is a cracking that takes place. Through it, something emerges. It roars and demands our attention. It is the energy that helps to crack winter’s ice. It is the gurgling of the waters breaking free from beneath it. Tiny bubbles of air dance behind the glossy glass-like surface. Moving, they seek each other out. One by one they gather, growing in size. Gently, they are reminding us to take that deep breath to allow ourselves the energy to break free and feel the possibilities of what can be when we allow the cycles and rhythms to move as they must.
It is the familiar power struggle that is as old as time itself. As one power rises, another must recede. Taking a moment to witness Winter’s white-knuckle grasp in the shifting shape of a late season storm, I see my own power struggles. I too, can feel the sting and the cramping of my own hands. They burn and shake as I cling onto the old bits and pieces of my shedding self with a white-knuckle stranglehold of my own. The fear of letting the old ways go and the fear of allowing the new experiences to come in is real. With all the grasping and struggling, I understand that it does not serve me. The mental Tug-O-War will never help me to move forward. Cognitively I know that. I understand what I need to do to allow myself to move gently with winter so I can melt into spring. It is a lesson that arises before great changes take place. And even though I know this, it still does not make the process easier. However, I can ease the tension and pressure by offering myself the space to breath, the time to dream, the energy for action, and taking in the sacred waters of compassion as my own ice melts.
I wrote a little bit about this a few weeks ago in my blog, “Beneath the Melting Ice and Snow.” There are important pieces of ourselves deep within that are encased in ice. We can sometimes keep ourselves shuttered away from the heat and light of life, afraid to breathe life into our own dreams. This does not serve anyone, especially ourselves. As scary as it can be, it is important for us to take the time to feed ourselves the love and compassion we so frequently offer others. Expanding on the ideas from that blog, we can build upon that inner beauty our life has to offer and take a step forward. We can begin to melt that deep ice and allow ourselves to break free. Just as the air bubbles join under the ice of a pond in early spring, we too can collect those hidden gems of ourselves as they rise to breathe in the fresh pockets of air, growing stronger as they continue to melt. The energy that helps to encourage the birds to sing reaches out to us too. When we allow that energy to embrace our heart, we are saying yes to ourselves in the kindest and most loving way. We are saying, “Yes. I too, deserve the beauty of life and welcome the love and inspiration it brings.” Is it an easy thing to do? No. However, it is a gift you can give yourself with love and compassion as you experience the growing pains of life. It will also make it that much easier next time when the cycle begins again.
So, as you are stretching and growing with the changing seasons, take some time to listen to the melting ice within you. What is coming up for you in that moment? What pieces of yourself are rocketing up to the surface, gratefully taking their first deep breath? Listen as the water once again begins to flow. Observe your inner and outer planes. How are you responding to these newly awakened pieces that are rejoicing in the reunion of your soul? Perhaps you are not sure how to feel. Maybe you are feeling a little anxious about big, sweeping changes in your life. That is a normal and even reasonable reaction to have. In that experience, remember that melting ice is slick. Take care of yourself and move as you must. You can feel a chill and maybe even vulnerable at this time. That too, is normal. You can then gently soothe yourself with the sacred waters. Remember that they hold and keep you. Drink in the compassion you need and deserve. Rest. Move as you must and remember that the flow of life moves within you. As the melting waters begin to rise, you will rise as well. And with that, you can move and unfold knowing that you are held in the rising waters of compassion.
Be well today and feel your flow.
Renee Bedard ~ The Whispering Crow
The Whispering Crow 