Bring Back Our Remembrance

In this time of divisiveness and the pandemic- intend something greater than what is happening in life at this moment.

Recognizing that every religion and spiritual practice is designed to “bring back our remembrance” of Oneness, the interconnectedness of everything—call it “The Divine”, “Mother/Father God”, “Spirit”, “The Whole”, “Humanity”. This remembering allows us to focus on relationship. How are each of us being “in relationship” to Self (Higher Power), Other, and the planet?

No matter our persuasion, when we are confronted with adversity, we cannot stay at the level of the problem in either/or, linear reasoning.

We can’t say we believe in love, and then practice hate.
We cannot say we love only those who agree with us and condemn and wish ill of those who disagree.

We can’t say we believe in love, and then practice hate.

We cannot say we love only those who agree with us and condemn and wish ill of those who disagree.

How do we access the best of who we are rather than the worst?
How do we not only access the bigger picture, but also be congruent in word and action?
Instead of either/or how do we get to AND?
We believe in love and compassion for self and other.
We look for answers that integrate and synthesize apparent polarities and oppositions.

To get solutions, we must rise to more holistic thinking.

For me, getting the bigger picture, holistic thinking necessitates:
SELF-CARE FOR MIND, BODY, SPIRIT

As Creative Arts Therapists and Spiritual coaches, Mary Braheny and I have used the Creative arts to transform the whole organism. The creative arts are movement, art, music, poetry, drama, storytelling, and visualization. Actually, gardening, needlepoint, cleaning out our closets-anything we totally throw ourselves into activates the creative process. It’s in the creative process that everything can come together in a new, more expansive way.

In our book, Mind, Body, Spirit: Connecting with your creative self, Mary Braheny and I write:
Mind needs focus.
Body needs direction.
Spirit needs nourishment.

Mind needs focus.
-Learn something new: language, instrument, or skill.

Body needs direction
-Walk, run, dance, Pilates, yoga, tai chi.

Spirit needs nourishment
-Anything that lifts your Spirit

In order to access the creative process, we have to:

Get next to ourselves; get quiet
“If you don’t allow for the quiet time for which you yearn, then you’re doing a disservice to others as well as yourself. The kindest thing you can do for everyone is allowing yourself the breath of quiet.” Sides: Conversations with Dad.

Access the creative process
Make an appointment with yourself and don’t give it away.
Have your materials available (music, journal, drawing materials, inspirational readings)
Use a timer so you can play heartily.

Immerse ourselves in nature and observe that everything is relational.
Take walks or bike rides often.
Breathe deeply and look around.
Make eye contact and verbally or non-verbally make a connection.

Are we living what we believe? Have we taken the time, space, and breath to feel the inspiration that this time affords? Do we embody love, kindness, tolerance, actively participating in family, community, and being good stewards of our planet?

As often as possible, bring to mind times and experiences that elicit love, self-love, peace, peace of mind, appreciation, gratitude, forgiveness, evolution, health, and vitality. Taste, touch, feel, smell in every fiber the experience we give ourselves. Give attention to how we want life to look and feel. Spend less time on worry, fear, and hopelessness.

As for me, during the times I start to get fearful, I remember conversations with Mom that always brought me back to a sense of calm:

Whenever I was worried about anything, Mom would always take notice and begin a reoccurring conversation we had throughout her life: “Diane, you have to talk to yourself.” Translation: “Whenever you feel worried and down, “talk to yourself” and remind yourself that you have so much to be thankful for…and everything is going to work out in the right way…So, don’t worry.

I trust her words. Because for her, everything did work out in the “right way”.

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