January 2007

My horoscope in the Sacramento Bee said: “It may seem at first like you never get what you really want.  Open your heart to the possibility that you already have.”  What a concept.  I had to shift my mindset to accommodate this new astrological idea.  What if I already had what I wanted, and didn’t know it?  The possibilities were endless.  I could relax and enjoy the life I created.  Instead of striving to attain, I could sit with stillness in my heart and simply be present for life.

Last year I spent almost every Tuesday morning for one hour at Starbucks with my personal/business coach Synthia Smith of Cherish the Possibilities.  The time spent with Synthia offered the gift of clarity to define the many parts of myself.  I am a business owner, mother, friend, adventurer, traveler and a spiritual being.  The naming and cataloging of these parts of myself generated insight on what Synthia calls the “whole you.”  

Synthia spoke in the language of metaphors, symbols and innuendos.  There were trains, pies, roads, and circles of influence.  One of my favorite Synthia metaphors is the idea of taking time in the meadow.  Imagine yourself walking on a path up a mountain.  The terrain varies.  There are hills, it’s rocky, and sometimes a big tree falls across the path, blocking your route.  On your walk, you see a meadow.  You are conditioned to continue walking, after all, you have to get to the top of the mountain.  The grass on the meadow is spring green, the wildflowers are in bloom and there is a flat spot just perfect for the big blanket you carry on your back.   You think to yourself, I shouldn’t stop.  I must get to the top of the mountain. 

You hear a small voice whisper rest, you are tired and the rejuvenation will replenish your soul.  So you listen to the undertone and unpack your blanket, spread it out on the flat spot next to the patch of wild California poppies.  You look around and see a willow tree gently blowing in the wind. You feel the spring grass under your feet.  You smell the Earthen soil and hear the robins sing.  As you lay on your back looking at the baby blue sky with wispy clouds, you take a deep breath and relax.  The sensuality of the meadow experience brings your senses into present time.  For the first time in a while, you feel alive.  You discover the forgotten parts of yourself return.  You begin to feel whole once again. 

I encourage each of you to take the time to replenish your soul in the meadow of life.  Open your heart to the possibility that you have everything you need.  Take a deep breath.  Exhale.  Relax.  There will always be a mountain to climb.  Enjoy the view along the way.