Inspired Possibility
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
    • Subscribe
  • Events
    • May 2019 Retreat
    • Aug 2019 Retreat
  • The Book!
    • Book Testimonials
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Just a Little Light...

7/2/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
​I was asked to write about the theme of “just a little light” this month.  So many possibilities arose of where I could take it…  Let your light shine;  Marianne Williiamson’s famous quote, “It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us;” what lights you up? lighten up; take a lighthearted approach; light vs. dark.  So many choices. 

What I landed on is a reflection of the light we all have within us – what my friend, Janet Rozzi, calls our “inner pilot light.”   I love this image because it reminds me that even when we can’t feel it, there is always a flicker of a flame burning below the surface, just waiting to be ignited.  


You know those moments of intense aliveness when you can feel the fire burning in your belly, lighting you up from inside with excitement, love, joy, or even anticipation??  We all have those from time to time, but if we were to try to sustain this level of intensity, we would burn out! 


And, then there are the moments of darkness when we barely feel a spark at all.  We feel as if we are lost in the shadows, unable to find our way out.  Our light has dimmed to such a low level that its power does not fuel us or feed us in a palpable way. 


For most of us, those experiences represent the extremes.  Most of the time we are living more in a mid-range experience – not too hot, not too cold; not too bright, not too dark.  And, therefore, we barely notice the light at all. 


So, it’s a good practice to remember that this light is in there, guiding us through our days, shining a beacon of possibility into the dark hours.  Take moments of quiet and stillness to tune into it, to feel the aliveness gently burning within.  Meet yourself where you are and notice what you need.  


Through gentle inquiry, ask yourself what it is that would fan the flames to stoke the fire of vitality?  Just as fire needs oxygen to fuel its flames, often times with us, breath is the perfect life-bringing force.  Simply begin with the breath.  Notice the expansion throughout your body and the calming of your mind as you slowly and deeply breathe in and then exhale completely. 


You can also notice what it is it that causes your light to darken or dim.  What changes or choices could you make to bring more light, more brightness to your days?  


Remembering that we are never in a static state of blissful brightness or eternal darkness helps us to remember that we have many choices.  We begin with ourselves where we are and gently nurture whatever light is there. 


If we’re feeling particularly dark, we remember that we have ways to bring that sparkle back.  Sometimes simply by thinking of something or someone that brings us joy can bring a smile that radiates through the eyes.  We’ve all seen the people who have a glistening sparkle in their eye, and we’ve each been that person at times.  What is it we want to bring in or let go of to amp up the sparkle that begins deep in our core?  


Marianne Williamson’s quote closes with these words: “And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”


How might we be the light and bring the light today?  What difference could that make in the world?  
0 Comments

Disconnect to Connect: The Power of Retreat

4/13/2015

 
Picture
In The Woman’s Retreat Book, Jennifer Louden states, “retreats are essential – to our minds, bodies, spirits.” I couldn’t agree more.  She goes on to quote Rabbi David Cooper from Silence, Simplicity, and Solitude as saying “The soul yearns to  be nourished, and if the reservoir begins to run low, we feel ourselves becoming dull, empty, brittle, and arid. If it sinks lower, we enter into states of angst, despair, and depression.”  Harsh truths, and yet they are truths I have found through my own experience with retreat. 

We live in a very busy world in a very busy time, and the tendency is to go and push until we burn out. We are caregivers and often forget to give gentle care to ourselves.  A retreat offers us a chance to nurture and nourish ourselves.  To rejuvenate and renew.  This is part of our growth cycle, and as we strive to be more and do more, always growing and expanding, ever busy, it is critical that we allow for this down time to restore ourselves.  Just as plants have a period of rest, so our physical bodies need rest in order to blossom into our fullest beauty, strong and vital. 

Our minds also need a rest.  In the space of a quiet mind we are able to tap into our heart center and hear the deeper messages of our heart and spirit. In this place we can listen to inspiration that is beyond what the mind can “figure out” in its usual state of busy-ness.  The deep wisdom of our spirit can speak to us when we slow down and take the time to tune in.

When I am on retreat I find a deeper sense of alignment with myself and my purpose. I gain inspiration in the form of new ideas, deep insight, and fresh energy. I have a restorative sense of peace and a calmer, more balanced state of mind.  All of this allows me to handle what life throws at me more smoothly.  It allows me to put into action the things I am called to do with greater ease, clarity, and confidence.  Having a stronger relationship with myself allows me to have better relationships with others.  Only when I honor myself can I hope to honor others. 

Sometimes retreats are seen as decadent, frivolous, or even selfish.  Nothing could be further from the truth. You are foundation of all that you are and do in the world. If you are depleted, how can you possibly support your family or give your all to your work? When you take time to give yourself the gift of renewal, you are able to show up for life and your many roles with a clear head, vibrant energy, and fresh ideas.  Try it for yourself! I invite you to join us for an upcoming Women's Self-Renewal Retreat. Take a weekend and let it be just for you.  If this doesn't work for you, then take a day or part of a day at home and declare a personal retreat. Turn off your phone, stay away from the computer, put up the “do not disturb” sign, close your eyes and sit mindfully or take a walk and listen.  Listen to your heart. Hear your soul. What do they want you to know? 



    Subscribe

    About me...

    I am a writer, coach, and teacher, and I love capturing life's many moments through writing, whether that be journalling, blogging, poetry, or essay.  I have always found the written word as a natural way for me to express what lies within.  

    This is the space where we get real.  I will write about my life experiences and things that I find my clients encounter in their daily lives.   

    What's real for you? What would you like me to write about?  Feel free to share with me topics you would like to see discussed and please join in the dialogue through the comment section. Your engagement makes the blog a much richer place to hang out!

    Thank you for joining me on this journey!!    

    Archives

    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    May 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014

    Categories

    All
    Balance
    Biopsy
    Cancer
    Career
    Challenge
    Change
    Choice
    Comfort Zone
    Commitment
    Connection
    Discernment
    Discomfort
    Disconnect
    Dreams
    Election
    Empowerment
    Extraordinary
    Gratitude
    Health
    Inner Work
    Intuition
    Joy
    Kindness
    Letting Go
    Life
    Light
    Logic
    Loving Kindness
    Mindfulness
    Mom
    New Year
    Overwhelm
    Pause
    Peace
    Perfectionism
    Personal Growth
    Perspective
    Possibility
    Presence
    Procrastination
    Relationships
    Responsibility
    Rest
    Retreat
    Self Awareness
    Self Care
    Self-care
    Self-compassion
    Self Renewal
    Self-renewal
    Slowing Down
    Sport
    Stillness
    Support
    Thanksgiving
    Time
    Transition
    Wellbeing

    RSS Feed

Barb Klein
Inspired Possibility
585-705-8740
barb@inspiredpossibility.com