Intention for the Self First

In our Reiki tradition, the lineage keeper Mrs Takata encouraged her students to practice "Reiki for the self first!" before treating others. She taught a simple self treatment pattern, and encouraged them to receive Reiki regularly as well.

With Intentional Creativity®, we begin each painting and project with an intention, an issue we are working on, a theme, a tool for identifying our gifts ... How do we connect with this intention and presence whilst competing our CoW quest? 

Lotus Wisdom - with Tina Greene

While tidying my space (a never-ending adventure!!) this morning, I listened to a favorite podcast with Home Purification coach Michael Spencer. One of the episodes I caught was this interview with mindfulness teacher Martha Rouleau from last summer.

Mindfulness and Intentional Creativity® share some beautiful interfaces and enriching practices.

• Self Compassion - as in our painting process, what if we couldn't get it wrong? We need to follow our inner Muse, not get caught in the tyranny of perfecting or comparison.
• There is an invitation to connect with our senses - touch, taste, smell, hearing, what an I present to? What do I feel? See? What will enrich me?
• Engage curiosity - what am i curious about? What calls for exploration? 
• Take time and space to just be - we can get so caught up doing, we forget to pause! Take a breath- you've got this!

Martha shared a couple of quick and simple movements, and exercises for becoming present. The first she calls Sunshine Breath (and talks through on the recording). A similar movement I've been doing for years comes from Qigong - I love my friend Alessandro's version, which he demonstrates here.

On longer IC calls, we often put on some music and take a dance break in the middle! 

Martha's second suggestion was a wonderful exercise for gaining perspective:

• Stand near a window, or go outside
• Look at something small and close, notice several things about it
• Now look as far away as you can see what's the colour? The form?
• Now choose something in the middle; micro, macro and in between! 

This can be very helpful when we start feeling overwhelmed - it brings our place and our focus in the Big Picture into better perspective.

She also shared the image of the wheel - the center hub, what Stella Mac would call our core values, is the constant. We might get distracted by something going on with one of the spokes - but come back to center for reference. Another image common to mindfulness practices is the lotus, which springs from the mud. No mud, no lotus! 

How can you be more mindful, and care for yourself today? 

Avoiding Overwhelm

This week, one of our Muse Time SiStars asked about avoiding overwhelm,  as she works toward completion. 

What a good inquiry!  It can help to dance between the Easy Wins, and your more challenging tasks, and to pace yourself. And - breathe!  You've got this! 

You may wish to choose one or two assignments to focus on a day/week, perhaps a set timer (20-45 minutes) then take a break. Pull out a calendar,  and schedule time to spend with your Muse. 

Yesterday I took part in a friend's group EFT tapping session on business, and one of the inquiries was around being successful - what fears arose when we thought of having more clients? 

We taped around being busier, and that it's  ok to set boundaries as well as intentions! The leader shared that she liked talking trine to meditate and enjoy her coffee in the morning, (morning cafe!) She decided not to take appointments earlier than 9:30 - and that her business increased after setting that boundary! 

Look for places similar ideas interface, and group or cross reference them - What are some of the themes that arose in your story cards and medicine basket - do some work together and suggest a class?  

As you work on your Menu of Offerings , jot down ideas for what you want to include in different classes.

Mermaid: shells on the altar, a ritual of blessing water, maybe allies or treasures from the sea, ocean sounds or tmusic ... (etc)

I sometimes make a little booklet or card or two for a class theme; you may wish to start a "future class and workshop" file!

As you work toward completion, be sure to celebrate as you make headway and complete assignments! Every step takes you closer to your goal.