life stories: seeking the creative balance ((revisited))

oh, life is good.  so much of the time life is good, even when it's not.  there's an inherent goodness to the pursuits of living well, loving well, and being well.  as i begin each day, i begin with the intention of creating my day.  each step, each piece is spent living well when i am centered on my sacred center. when i am living from within my SELF, i am living whole.  sometimes i find myself leaning off center.  the practice of centering requires that i can stand true in the midst of suffering, in the midst of negativity.  i am reminded it's good to be a little off center in order to know how to return to center.  

i've come to believe that to achieve balance, you must begin with your body. both what you do with your body and what you put into your body.

indeed, finding your center involves a daily practice of caring for your body.  eating well, living well, loving well, and being well.  each affects the other.  eating whole foods, drinking water, creating daily steps and routines of exercise. so much comes into play.

using concentric circle imagery, these attitudes toward balance are stacked on another, flowing together in the pursuit of wholeness and peace:  

be-ing.  BE. to be in my own skin. to be still and aware. breathing deeply brings so much awareness to my moments. the present moment is here and i am aware.  naming is a part of this process, but not labeling.  naming what i am thankful for, who i am called to minister to, what i most need in the present moment.  naming before the Divine what is good and what is heavy on my heart.  seeking the sacred in the every day. sweeping. creating. living. loving. 

breath work + exercise. daily yoga, pilates and/or walking.  each day i am stronger than i was the day before.  yoga poses continue to strengthen me.  i use the weight of my own body to build that strength and it's a connective process.  breath + strength + body.  with space, time, and focus i am able to learn the potential of my body and spirit.  i am able to recognize that balance is a daily task.  each day has its own rhythm and focus.  it unfolds and it is created all at once.  i am present the day, to the moment, and to myself.  i listen to my body and it's needs.  breathing deeply. breathing into my belly. breathing into my muscles. breathing in and out love and peace and gratitude.  breathing calm.  breathing tears. breathing joy.  breathing as i am. 

listening to my inner wisdom. wisdom speaks.  i find myself aware more of my inner wisdom.  i listen to the voices of the wise women that i have ministered to and with and remember their encouragement. i remember the way they named what they saw in me, what they could see as their glance pierced me right to my soul.  these wise ones have lived 80, 90, 100 years.  their words hold meaning and truth.  i am listening, ladies.  

attending to my 'gut instincts'.  there are a few things i'm not completely certain about these days.  there's a not-quite-right space in my life that i'm uncertain how to address it.  naming it is something. listening to wisdom is another.  creating space to think, reflect, and really listen to my gut instincts holds meaning. breathing well, listening well, and focusing my attention on the present gives space for this type of reflection.  sometimes this inner stirring has to do with hormones.  sometimes it's about my past.  other times it's about the present and the truth that something isn't right.  time and reflection will tell.  

being present to others.  sitting in the sacred company of others is another way i achieve wholeness.  being present to my family, my loves, my kindred spirits, those that i am called.  listening to sacred stories of loss, love, and life.  listening. learning. breathing in the breath of life.  being present in the darkness and the light.