Black Bag of Unhappiness

Yesterday, as Gypsy ran ahead of me, she noticed something moving along a distant fence. Barking loudly with a warning note of alarm in my direction, she circled in on the intruder, moving in and then retreating several times without altering her cautionary tone. The interloper was a large garbage bag caught in the barb wire billowing darkly in the morning breeze!

Calling her back, I let Gypsy know that it was “all ok” and she seemed to understand that having done “her job”, she was now free to move on.

I had to laugh as she wove in and out and around this “unknown” that loomed before her, while giving her full attention to defending against it. AND, it was a PLASTIC BAG!!!! You know where I am going with this don’t you! : ]

How often do we make “mountains out of mole hills”, bags blowing in the wind into immediate dangers, unknowns in our future into GREAT BIG “holy terrors”? Often is my experience.

Like Gypsy did with me when I called her to me, it’s a great idea to call on a friend, a coach, someone you trust, to run by them the fear or worry that seems too big and scary to handle alone. Often, it is only a plastic bag blowing in the wind.

And if it isn’t, brainstorming, inspiration and support can be found in that connection with a friend or a coach, that allows you to take care of the situation while you are taking care of yourself.

Blessings from the field! Emily
© 2010 Emily A. Easton

More Reflections

Even though I discussed “Mirror Talk” back in June, I just have to share another story on it!

This morning, Bendito, (“Little Blessing”) was with great dedication and enthusiasm, attacking his image in the mirror. He would stalk up to the reflection, pounce at it, draw back and then have another go with the same intensity as the first assault!

(And yes, I “adopted” the kitten..it was a slippery slope of no return on Monday morning when I started thinking of names for the little guy! Feral cat my foot; he knew a good home when he saw it!)

As I watched this exuberant display of stalk and attack, it struck me–isn’t that what we often do, attacking with a vengeance the very person who needs our love the most? Ourselves!

Bendito is playing, delighting in “the chase” of his “phantom” self. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all give chase to the wonder and beauty that is shining back at us each time we “catch” our reflection?

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Walking in the fields this past Wednesday morning with Gypsy, I was once again stunned at the beauty of the western version of the thistle that grows up to 4 feet tall in the hay fields and is prolific in the feathery pincushions of mauve that sit atop each bristled stem.

My mother’s favorite flower was the thistle, the eastern version that grew in rare beauty around the meadows of my Maine childhood. If one was spotted, it required a stopping of the car or a stepping off the path to take in the delicate lavender while being alert to avoid its sharp barbs.

It struck me as I gazed into one purple face, that the thistle is so characteristic of my mother—an immense beauty surrounded by and protected by a piercing sharpness that was to be avoided at all costs. It took diligence, alertness, and a tough skin to be in the presence of the beauty that was my mother’s talent, love of Nature , keen mind and resplendent sense of humor. How startling to understand now, the significance of her choice in favorite flower! The thistle and she were perfect reflections!

I walked through the field and saw the thistles shining brightly in all their splendor and pondered what flower I would choose as a favorite, that others might say, “Oh, that____is so like you, Emily”.

Columbine, asters, roses, anything periwinkle blue, Jill of the Pulpit!…the list goes on…so many beautiful flowers!

As I write this, it occurs to me that maybe like many of us, I am more a bouquet than a single flower! What are your favorite flowers and what can they reflect back to you of your uniqueness, beauty and wonder? And, yes, it’s o.k. to acknowledge the barbs!

May this season of flowers reflect back much beauty! Many blessings, Emily

© 2010 Emily A. Easton

Gentle Loving Kindness for Yourself is a MUST!

Ten days ago while mopping the kitchen floor, I slipped and broke my right thumb (thankfully, not something that happens often in my life!)

I ignore the counter space!

That being my “dominant” hand, this break has put the kibosh on several basic activities—try flossing for instance with you thumb in a splint…or typing with that same splint wanting to get in the way every time you go to hit the “l” and get an extra “m” along with it…to say nothing of applying eyeliner!!! NOT happening! : }

These of course, are minor hindrances in the grand scheme of things and yet it does make one need to call on inner resources of patience, letting go and the releasing of any perfectionist tendencies that one might have hidden away and that are now rearing up demanding that dishes be done and teeth be “properly” brushed (for heaven’s sake)!

It has been a blessing (yes, in disguise!) to see where I still hold myself in disregard. If anyone else had broken THEIR thumb on THEIR dominant hand, I would, with great kindness and generosity of spirit, encouraged them to be patient and gentle with themselves. None of this perfectionist task master stuff anywhere in sight.

So why is it that when it is ourselves, we are so harsh to judge and hold ourselves to task, when what we really need is just a little tender love for ourselves?

I ignore the desk area!

I don’t know WHY. I do know that it is not only possible, it is necessary for health and well-being to treat ourselves with the same love and respect, the same patient attention and the same gentle kindness that we would our dearest friend or a small child who comes to us in pain. We would just do it without a second thought!

And, yes, I did go back and take out allm the extra “m’s” (almmost!).

Have a blessed week breathing in gentle loving kindness for your precious self! Emily

PS–It is also worthy to honor all the positives that come out of this kind of  situation–for one thing my left hand is getting some much needed use adn becoming quite dexterous!

© 2010 Emily A. Easton

A Sound Investment

When I moved to “the ranch” this summer, I was thankful for the quiet, the solitude and the “alone time”. It is a great place with the panoramic hay fields and surrounding mesas for creative inspiration—a blank canvas for the soul. I love it! I am rejuvenated in the core of my being!

Sitting in tall grass as the sun comes up and the half moon sets over The Sleeping Ute Mountains is Heaven. Wandering with Gypsy through the fields of grass and wildflowers at dawn while the deer sneak past her radar nose is pure Delight!

The flip side, if there is one, is that I am alone. (It’s like the expression about being your own boss—the upside is that you are your own boss and due to human nature, so is the downside!).

The other morning I awoke with a “behind the scenes” whisper of doubt. Doubt?!? Yes, a creeping sensation of, do I dare say it, inadequacy. WHAT!?!? For months, I have been centered, steady, present in the moment, loving Life. WHAT WAS THIS??!?!

I IMMEDIATELY called a dear friend (and a wonderful coach) on the East Coast (THANK GOD FOR TECHNOLOGY!!!!) and left a “PLEASE CALL ME BACK ASAP” message. You know the kind. : )

Then I gave myself a pep talk in the mirror! Remember last week’s post? : ) (Also, if you haven’t already done so, go to “Extras” and check out “Jessica’s Affirmations”!). Cheering myself on in the mirror helped, and even though the nagging continued, it did not stop me from putting one foot in front of the other, “showing up” and getting done what was needed.

It just didn’t FEEL GREAT! Am finally learning at this juncture in Life that discomfort is NOT the same as inappropriate! So, I kept going, slogging through and getting IT done.

When my friend (and coach!) got back with me, just having a conversation with her made me feel better! I realized that sometimes, especially when we are NOT surrounded by like minded others, or when those around us are caught up in a paradigm of frantically dashing here and running there, it is VERY easy to lose sight of our inner sanctuary and our inner knowing.

We NEED each other to mirror back our inner truth. We NEED this! It is NOT optional for most of us; especially as women, we generally NEED to “talk it out”. (An FYI–This is one of the primary benefits of having a good Life Coach—someone to MIRROR BACK our truth!!!).

The conversation revealed that Life IS good, that I AM being and doing what I need and want, AND that, “Yup!” (to quote E. Tolle) “…it’s a mad, mad world” and therefore must not be taken personally as Don Miguel Ruiz has suggested in his, “The Four Agreements”.

The thing that struck me afterwards is that for months before moving “out here”, I had been making regular deposits of love and affection into the bank account of personal well-being. Connection, hugs, laughter and delight filled my “in town” Life.

All that changed when I came here to write and create show material. I didn’t even notice for a month or so as the Well-Being Bank Account of my Life began to run low. I see now that, especially when changes take place in our lives, it is important as with any bank account, to keep tabs on this particular balance and to make timely deposits. It is a sound investment!

SO, when you feel out of sorts, find a friend, call a coach, sit and chat! Talk it out! Work it through!And find how quickly you are once more enjoying life and glad to be alive! Those deposits into your Well-Being Account of Life really do pay off.

Many Blessings of Well-Being and Joy! Emily

© 2010 Emily A. Easton