Don’t be afraid of change. Don’t give in to fear. Blossom like the flowers and make others smile, just as we do when we’re surrounded by nature.
Trees don’t grow overnight. They need love, water, and space; time to become themselves and stretch out their beautiful branches. It’s the same for us. When we look inside ourselves and face those dark corners, we become enlightened and more peaceful. Nurturing is the key. Then, we grow, change, adapt, and find the truth of ourselves – and people notice it; they crave to have the inner stillness we have.
Spiritual people are known for their radiant auras. They shine, and we can tell that their hearts are tuned in to helping everyone. We just need to remember to be helpful to ourselves as well, so we don’t get too stressed and burn out.
“Enlighten the dark corners of my heart and scatter thy cheerful beams.”
Saint Augustine
Bring to mind all the main areas of your life. Slowly sift through your thoughts, or buy a new journal and write them down when you have some ‘you time’. Play some soft music, relax, and see how your body feels as you think about certain people, jobs, and your relationships. If anything feels wrong or out of alignment with your energy, makes those small steps to clearing and changing.
Try not to hold onto any anger, resentment, or worries. We only do ourselves harm, and our bodies aren’t designed to bottle things up. Free yourself. You can do this mindful practice daily if you wish, or weekly, but make the time to tune in.
Know that your relationship to you is the most important one in this world – everything else comes from that.
Of course we can’t just change all of our circumstances overnight, but if you feel peaceful whilst thinking about leaving a particular situation… do it! The body knows. Feeling peace within is a wonderful indicator that you’re going towards the right decision, the right path.
I like to ask: “Is my energy good?” “Where can I improve my life?” Talk to your body. Allow it to tell you what it needs.
When I lived with Carmelite nuns in rural Norfolk for four months, I really learnt the profound beauty of healing with God and leading a more meaningful life. We had two hours a day for private prayer, and I always looked forward to that space away from the rest of the community. Our schedule was very busy, from dawn until 10pm most days, so those two hours were precious. Each time I went into my prayerful bubble, I would look at the trees outside and watch the birds, knowing that it was just God and me, and nothing else mattered.
As the minutes went on, God would slowly bring me images of situations in my life which knew I had to work through. There were past situations from my childhood, and present ones relating to my life with the nuns. Sometimes, I’d be surprised by what I saw, but I trusted God’s process and agreed to surrender and pay attention to what was happening.
Over the next month, I felt much lighter and cleaner within. It really was like mini miracles occurring each time I prayed – all because I’d chosen to be still and not resist God.
I could have easily read a book instead or gone to sleep, but that would be avoiding what needed looking at. God was my counsellor and I couldn’t waste my time there and not listen to him. The nuns noticed that I was glowing more and becoming much more at peace. They could see the healing, and it was a great comfort to know that they also, in their own lives, were experiencing the same joy. This healing can occur for all types of situations, big or small. It was like spring cleaning myself, giving myself the attention and being responsible for my emotions. I matured very quickly and still keep this process today. There is always something we can improve about ourselves as we move forward with our lives. Never underestimate the joy that can come from choosing to better yourself.
Life is one hundred miles an hour these days, and we can think that taking time out is a waste of time, but the body can only do so much. Our health is the most important thing – prioritize that. Honour your body as a temple of light, created by God who loves you, and wills you to be the greatest person you can be. Encourage others to heal too and share what you’ve learnt.
Changing areas of your life can feel daunting, but if it’s change for the better, it’s totally worth doing. I was nervous about leaving the convent, but I knew it was the right thing to do and I’ve had so many wonderful experiences since I made that decision. I transformed. We have to be true to ourselves, and let the healing light in, even if that does mean a little or a lot of work on our part. Truth is priceless.
Article by Caroline Leighton
Article published in More to Life Edition 59
