We all feel it, the pressure our society puts on every one of us to do more, be more, create more, extend yourself more, share more. I could go on and on, but you know the feeling, you know too well of this never ending race.
When I take a big step back and really think about who we are as humans and where we came from a big part of me feels deeply sad. I feel like as humans on earth we are missing it, we are missing the beauty all around us. We are really far removed from our earth mother and the goodness she offers us.
This year I have made it a focus in my life to set aside time daily to be quiet in nature, to meditate, to observe and to ground myself. This practice has filled my life with an overwhelming amount of gratitude for all the living things around our globe. I feel as one with nature and that we are all connected, every single one of us.
My practice looks like this: I walk through the woods on a path barefoot to feel the earth beneath my feet, so I can soak up the earths energy. Shoes get in the way of that connection. I go to my special place in the woods that brings me peace. I softy sit down and greet the trees and thank them for suppling me with shade. I get into a comfortable position and listen to a guided meditation. I use a few different meditation apps for this. After the meditation, I sit in silence and just observe. The tree's filled with song birds, how the wind moves through the grass, the insects busily walking past me. I usually lean against a tree and thank her for supporting me. I can usually feel the energy moving between us on my back. I just breathe and use my five senses. After I feel filled up, I slowly walk back through the woods listening to the music all around me. There is always music in the woods if you stop and listen. In fact, the earth is filled with living creatures creating music.
My hope for you is that you don't read this and think "I must do that exact thing to feel grounded to earth". My only hope is that you read this and you find exactly what works for you. You have a very special and unique story that comes with different perspectives and world views. Use your own path to guide you through your own slowing down practice. Maybe the woods is not your cup of tea, but if there is one thing I know it's that everyone feels connected to the earth and you just have to be brave enough to keep digging deeper.
I will leave you with one of my favorite writings I read recently by Mexican healer and poet, Maria Sabina.
"Heal yourself with the light of the sun and the rays of the moon. With the sound of the river and the waterfall. With the swaying of the sea and the fluttering birds. Heal yourself with mint, neem, and eucalyptus. Sweeten with lavender, rosemary and chamomile. Hug yourself with the cocoa bean and a hint of cinnamon. Put love in the tea instead of sugar and drink it looking at the stars. Heal yourself with the kisses that the wind gives you and the hugs of the rain. Stand strong with your bare feet on the ground and with everything that comes from it. Be smarter every day by listening to your intuition, looking at the world with your forehead. Jump, dance. sing, so that you live happier. Heal yourself, with beautiful love, and always remember... you are the medicine"
