Well, people are starting to beat a path to my door for counselling which is just great. I do so love working with people. Which brings me to the subject of Love and Fear, which I have been paying close attention to more recently.
Working from a place of love
Many years ago I had the opportunity to meet Stephen Gilligan and attend a workshop of his at an Ericksonian Congress in Phoenix Arizona. I had a Hypnosis text book of his which I loved and it was a truly wonderful experience to attend his workshop.
I purchased another book of his at the time called “The Courage to Love” which spoke amongst many other things of loving our clients. This was wonderful for me, because, Yes, I knew that I loved my clients, working from a place of love and here I was being told this is good! At the time, many professionals’ would not have discussed this concept, so it was nice to hear it!
I still endeavour to work from the heart, coming from a place of love. (I often purchase glass hearts or crystals cut in this shape to remind me!); but it is only recently, that I have realised the necessity of trying to live my life for me personally this way. I know that in reality, this is for us all an ongoing challenge!
Coming from the heart and love
I believe when one is able to come from the heart and love, there is little room to operate from fear, leading to a more confident and pro-active way of being.
Operating from a stance of fear, we are like a sparrow in survival mode - just darting around all over the place, being re-active, often looking to others to satisfy our needs - and things generally seem to go wrong more frequently when in a mood of fear.
Not that we can stop the challenges and fears that come up in our lives and if we allow it, there are always lessons that come out of these.
‘Openness doesn’t come from resisting our fears but from getting to know them well.’ (Pema Chodron).
Chodron also says, ... we can have lasting transformation when we honour ourselves as the source of wisdom and compassion. ... "Doing something different" is anything that interrupts our ancient habit of tenaciously indulging in our emotions. Interrupting our destructive habits and awakening our heart is the work of a lifetime.’
It never ceases to amaze me in this journey of life and lessons how true the saying is that ‘the teacher appears when the pupil is ready’. Where ever I am up to in my life of development, I find this to be the case. When I am thinking and meditating on ideas I will either discover a book, course, learned soul or conversation with a friend that helps increase or develop my understanding on the topic. "The places that scare you ~ a guide to fearlessness" written by Pema Chodron, is one I have just started reading.
In an earlier Newsletter I spoke of lack of sleep affecting our moods. I imagine this also contributes towards us operating from a place of fear and becoming overwhelmed.
To come from one's heart, I find extremely grounding as well as empowering. It then becomes possible to have trust that things can work and to discover a strength and courage that sets about making this happen.
Some of you might see this as opening your ‘heart chakra’ and working from there. For those who are not familiar with Chakras, if you are interested, Google for more information.
I first learnt more about Chakras when I did a small course in Pranic Healing. "Chakras for Beginners" by David Pond is a good book if you would like to learn more.
A contra-indicative sleep hint!
Now, for something completely different ~ my little ‘freebie’ offer! I would like to offer some hint that could be of use each month at the end of this Newsletter. I am going to start with Sleep Hints, because this is the most common symptom my clients come in with. This one comes from Rob McNeilly:
#1. ‘Close your eyes and try to stay awake’.
Always interested in any thoughts you might have or experiences. See how you go with Rob’s hint next time you can’t get back to sleep in the ‘wee small hours’.
Meanwhile, continue to live your life courageously!
Jenni
