Self Care 101 - Life Cycles

Paying attention to the cycles in our lives is one way to practice self-care. It's through paying attention and honoring them (cycles), that we are able to give our bodies what they are wanting and asking for.

I had confessed to one of my cousins that I had been in a major contraction (I'm still swinging in and out ) since I turned in my latest project to my editor. (I like the word contraction better than depression, as it sounds a little more romantic, if pain can be romantic.) This is a cycle of resting and introspection. When it's not understood, it can be misconstrued as something that needs fixing. (Certainly there is validity  in looking at cycles from all angles.) I'm speaking about my personal experience. 

I had been riding an amazing wave of energy for the past two weeks. It felt very much like surfing a really big wave and even Hanging Ten! Everything just kept flowing effortlessly on all of my projects.

As soon as I turned my latest project into my editor, it felt like I had a wipe out! Major! Face first, off the nose of the board, now tumbling in the sand! What I've been able to recognize is this is a pattern or a cycle for me.  I'm trying to learn how to just BE in it, not fixing it or glossing over where I am and what I'm feeling. 

I was happy to experience a raise in my energy while teaching a drumming class at a local retirement community. I know that changing the energy range that we are vibrating to can either raise or lower our energy levels. (mood) But what actually amazed me was that simply by being in the vibration of the drums and music my frame of mind drastically changed for the better. I had coffee with a colleague and said, "I'm actually here today, able to talk to you because I went to drumming class yesterday!  

I continue to watch as the cycles in my life unfold, trying to honor each one, but sometimes....it's just about dancing/drumming/singing/playing and surfing! 

Shamanic Dream Travel

Last weekend I attended a Shamanic Dream Workshop. I’d never heard of this kind of workshop, but when it was mentioned to me, I knew that I was attending!

I ended up car pooling with a friend and on the first day, I left my drum on the table in front of the store where I was being picked up. Someone (from the circle) saw it at lunch time and brought it back to the workshop, asking if anyone had lost it. I never heard the announcement. After the workshop was over, I emailed the lady in charge asking if I had left it behind. She gave me the email of Bill...We were surprised at how it all unfolded.

He emailed the group telling his story. He had taken the drum back with him to Venice, CA....:) I think my drum wanted a vacation to the beach, I actually never take it when I go! Bill had said that he knew from one of his dream journeys he needed to pare down in his life. Of course my books have suggestions about this:)

So Bill, gave my drum life and I’m sharing with him my work...something that wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t lost my drum and he hadn’t taken it home!

The following is my response to Bill’s last email:
Just to add to Bill's note:
I didn't know that my drum was missing….I was riding with a friend…thought I had left it in her car….in my car….at my house….etc.
What is more interesting….I didn't hear Bill announce he had found a drum either…..
I've concluded that my drum needed to be with Bill and his energy and I'm grateful! He's given her a gender….her:)….I think that she had to leave for me to appreciate her fully…While she's been on some powerful journey's with me, admittedly, she did some a lot of time on the shelf…thank you Bill….
Thank you everyone!
See you in dreamtime….