|
Each month a new inspirational,
spiritual, or educational article by Alice McCall is posted.
If
you would like to read past articles,
please follow this link.
January 2008
Renew
Some how the notion has evolved over the last several decades, that
a period for personal reflection is a waste of time. Today the term
‘retreat’ or actually taking a retreat is virtually non-existent.
Yet, it is vitally important for each of us to stop, reflect,
cleanse, and refresh ourselves. This practice renews you - your
mind, body, and spirit.
Often you may feel the need to engage
in renewal, but do not recognize it. Here are some cues: low energy,
a feeling of sadness, low motivation, listlessness, and the
inability to focus. These are sure signs that you need to stop and
refresh yourself.
When you respond to these cues by taking
time to refresh your whole self (mind, body, spirit), you cleanse
and release the emotions that are dragging you down. You become
refreshed, and able to move forward.
Here are some renewal
ideas when you reach this point.
1. Unplug yourself from
your communication devices. Block off the day with the goal that
nothing HAS to be done or accomplished, unless the spirit moves you.
Don’t allow interruptions
2. Meditate, slowly and leisurely.
There is nothing you have to accomplish, so go with the flow. Keep a
journal nearby to capture any thoughts or feelings that come to you
3. If you feel tears welling up, let them out and honor them. In
fact, let any emotions that rise up express themselves, only then
are you able to release those feelings
4. Start a forgiveness
journal. Think of every person that has hurt you in some way. Write
their name down. Then, go down the list and forgive them one by one.
Consider the reverse, think of every person that you may have hurt
in some way. Write their name down. Once done, forgive yourself for
each one, and send love to each person.
5. Buy a
CD of
toning, chanting or music that moves you. Sit quietly and listen to
it. Allow yourself to get lost in it.
6. Sit in a favorite
nature spot and connect with it. Hold on to those feelings of beauty
and awe.
7. Take the time to work with and cleanse each of
your major charkas.
8. Review the things you don’t like
about your life. Examine how you think about those things. Then,
take the time to change the way you think about them. Focus on
multiple ways to solve each conflict. Changing self; changes all
else around you.
9. If you feel inspired to do something like
cleaning a closet, or weeding a garden, do it! These are physical
manifestations of ridding the old to bring in the new. A very
cleansing and freeing expression of self. And, won’t you be happy
when you open that closet door and nothing falls out?!
10.
Read an inspirational book or poem. Reflect upon it’s relevance for
you.
11. Take a nap in the middle of your day.
12. Be
adventurous! Learn a new hobby or activity. You might learn
something interesting about yourself in the process.
Renewal
is important, even when these “cues” are not present.
The
actual definition of renewal is, “To make new again; to restore,
replenish; to resume; to make effective for an additional period.”
Bingo. Look at that last definition, “To make effective for an
additional period.” This implies that in order to be effective, you
need to refresh periodically, and routinely. Even God “rested on the
seventh day” – and that means every week! God didn’t sleep. God
didn’t watch TV. God rested. One definition of rest is “To refresh
oneself.” So, it is healthy to periodically stop normal daily
activity, to still the mind and allow a time for renewal.
When you take the time for renewal you will be more productive,
happier, and ready to take on the world. Those are the benefits of
renewal – an increase of focus and productivity. Other benefits can
include: an increase in energy, joy, peace; a feeling of being more
centered and balanced; and an increased sense of hope.
It’s
wintertime, a time for hibernating, a time for going into the cave.
It is the time when nature lies in wait for its renewal in the
spring. In the spirit of this season, I invite you to ‘unplug’ for a
day of renewal. You will be glad you did.
Contact Alice
to learn how she can help you master this topic - or transform other
health, emotion, and spiritual issues. Free consultations for
all new clients to learn how Alice's work is directly tailored to
address your areas of concern. Don't wait - step onto your Healing
Path today!
|
