Blame

"Unconsciously, we also feel guilt, regret, and shame because, by blaming another, we betray ourselves.  We betray and disempower ourselves by inadvertently declaring we are enslaved by circumstances beyond our control." - Michael Brown, The Presence Process.

Wow.

So how do we empower ourselves?

By taking responsibility - Response Ability.  We respond instead of react.  We do this by observing our feelings and responding to them by feeling them in a loving, patient and totally unconditional way.  This takes time.  I find that patience is a key to this process. 

With each unconditional response we feel, we return to empowered peace.

Tears

The Soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears. - Native American Proverb

Travelling through Wyoming a little over a week ago I came across this proverb that just really spoke to me. Only a few days before I had been discussing with a class how important tears are to the human emotional guidance system and how difficult it is for some of us to cry.

I personally have been blessed with the ability to cleanse my heart with tears, but it wasn't always without shame. I am grateful today for the journey, the people, and the years that have supported me in letting go of the shame and embrace all of my emotions as a part of the process. I am grateful for the rainbow that stretches across my Soul as a result of these experiences.

May your Soul be adorned with the brightest and most brilliant of rainbows.

Overcoming Limitations

I’m sitting at a beautiful resort collecting my thoughts for a writing workshop I am attending. I notice fear, anxiety, awe and excitement whirling inside of me. I am thinking I don’t know where to start writing.

The avoidance part of me is looking for other fun things to do INSTEAD of writing. The shaming part of me is telling me all sorts of stories about how I will never finish this project so why start.

I re-mind myself to breathe. I am breathing. Breathing is good. What I would like to be doing is writing. (“That is typically what one does at a writing workshop,” the shaming me adds!)

A friend at the workshop quietly hands me a piece of paper with a writing by Abraham Hicks on it, “all limitations are self-imposed.” Oh yah. I needed that re-minder I think. All those voices are me. I can love them all for the gifts they bring, and remember they are just trying to help.

“I don’t need your help,” I tell shame and avoidance. Thanks for loving me so much you would do anything possible to keep me from pain. I am willing to face the fear, the anxiety and even the pain today. “Are you sure?” They ask. Yes, “I AM.”

…..and I begin writing!