Intense!

I don't know about you, but in the last week or so, I have been experiencing some intense feelings. My inner critic has been yelling and my inner child has been crying. Their combined voices urging me, sometimes simultaneously, to hide away from everyone and to pick fights with everyone have worn me out.

Thankfully, the voice of my inner wise woman has also been present, quietly waiting for the other two to scream or cry themselves out. When they settle down, she offers guidance. She accompanies them in exploring the rough terrain they are wandering through to see what might be prompting the anger, fear, and grief. She assures the critic and child that they're allowed to express their feelings and also suggests there may be ways to move through the feelings instead of getting stuck in them. When I- in my mosaic of parts and beings- trust her, she encourages me both to care for myself in simple ways- taking a walk, working in my garden, cooking, making art, loving on my cat, Frida- and to reach out to friends who may be able to offer care that amplifies the self-care. I have been trying to heed her wisdom. 

Earlier I was listening to today's 1A broadcast on How a Nation Grieves at Home. I found that program and this article on 10 Sneaky Ways Your Coronavirus Anxiety is Coming Out  to be helpful reminders of the many ways we are experiencing and responding to living through the coronavirus pandemic. Perhaps they will also offer you comfort in knowing that your experience of these strange times is both common and normal. I leave them for you to peruse without further comment. 

If a more humorous recognition of common ways we've responded to the pandemic would delight you, I offer this video: 
"Different People in Quarantine" by Tova Leigh

And if you're looking for something to soothe your soul, I offer these two timeless poems read by the authors: 
"Wild Geese" by Mary Oliver
"The Peace of Wild Things" by Wendell Berry
and this song: 
"Mercy Now" by Mary Gauthier



In the midst of all the feelings, I continue to offer workshops and classes, Reiki sessions, and heart portrait readings via Zoom. Each is a way of sharing practices that bring out my inner wise woman and encourage those I work with to call on and trust their own inner wisdom. I am particularly excited to offer my Communicating Across Divides workshop in early June. I hope you'll join me for one or many of these!

Blessings.