We will divert from the Souly from the Heart series and spend this blog focusing on the upcoming holidays and how to move into loving spaciousness. This space can be filled with your heartprint. I first heard that word from a heart based business coach ABTY's ( Always Better Than Yesterday ) Ryan Hartly . He describes a heartprint as "having a ripple effect of the legacies and possibilities that we create for people and the degrees of possibilities that creates something new." I believe this heartprint evolves from how we see and treat others but it starts with ourselves first.
Two questions to ponder on this journey....
What are we basing our decisions on when choosing how we spend our holidays?
Is this related to how we see and feel about ourselves- listening to our true heart callings? Or is it based on what other's perceptions are?
I know that the holidays have been challenging for me as I tend to not want to disappoint folks. However, my experience is its wiser to listen to my "inner guidance" than react out of a fear.
So let's see how we can tie in the word spaciousness. I selected that word for two reasons: the first is related to this time of year. It can have an extreme quality to it: either busting at the seams for some folks or a lonely cavern for others. Whether your lifestyle is one of extraverted-ness or introverted-ness we can take some time to pause and check in with how we want to experience our holidays. I want to clarify that not having anything planned does not necessarily engender a sense of spaciousness. Spaciousness is related to a sense of openness and ease. The second reason is the significance of December for many people. A season that can have a special depth, one which will guide us ever more readily to the loving voice within the heart.
Remember that old saying "My heart is not really into it"? This time of year we can allow ourselves to be guilted into giving our time and energy away; attending events and seeing people while not coming from a heart centered place.
I hear folks say they are just "surviving the holidays" or "can't wait for it to be over." Is this something you hear yourself saying? if yes are you interested in creating a season where you are you experience a new heart vision?
Okay so what can leaving a heart print for the holidays look like?
For me, I cannot give away what I don't have, so keeping it simple is vital for both my sanity and serenity. My schedule and commitments change in December, so flexibility is another gift I am willing to receive. Gratefully my spiritual life is a priority and re-charging this connection is vital for me to hear the wisdom of my heart calling.
My heartprint will include supporting people through the challenges of this season. I am involved in many recovery groups and there will be opportunities to take phone calls and meet, if time permits to allow folks to share. My conversations often revolve around asking people to check in with themselves. Often asking them if they are feeling a heaviness in the heart around decisions. I also just asked someone yesterday "Is there a conflict of desires and if yes can you accept this?" Her response was "no" regarding accept it, so then I asked "Can you accept you do not accept?" She was surprised by both the questions around acceptance and the serenity and peace she felt when she could accept what she was feeling in the present. I have found this to be common- that the stress or distress is not about the details about a particular event or decision. It is about the lack of awareness and acceptance around any conflict and judgement that has arisen.
It also means being willing to make unpopular yet sane decisions. I am seeing my family but not during the 24th to the 1st. I choose to spend time with them in early December. I also do not attempt to see or talk with EVERYONE this month, so this means I connect with some folks in January or later. Yes, these decisions may be initially disappointing for "all" involved -and they are wisely chosen. The gift is having quality connections both in December and into 2025. It is important to share that I do not do this perfectly. Sometimes I find myself agreeing to an invitation that is not really heart centered. What becomes vital then is that I give myself the gift of being really present while at the gathering and set any boundaries necessary.
Yes, I am one of those folks who like the holidays and the many opportunities to gather with loved ones. I also enjoy the material aspects of it as well. I love looking at the displays as I appreciate the heartfelt efforts that people make to acknowledge the holidays. I smile when stopping to see and savour the decorations and lights, the wonderful aromas and foods.
The word "light" has taken on great meaning for me in the last few years. A reminder of the awe and reverence within my inner and outer Cosmos. Some people would say it's our bio photons, some people would say it's our soul, some people would say it's our consciousness. Maybe it's all of three of them together. What I treasure is knowing is that "we are the light of presence" and the presence is a light that leads the way to spacious living. This spaciousness within is priceless. We see and feel ourselves and others "light up" when present and loving with each other. This connection is inclusive to biota (a word that means all forms of life ) with which we can co-create this electric dynamic.
Another gift of this season is "the return of the light" on the 21st. To me our winter solstice is another opportunity in December to pause and celebrate the many wonders of both heaven and earth. An opportunity to embrace this particular rhythm of darkness and the gradual welcoming of longer days. As I have continued on my journey I find myself experiencing a greater and greater sense of joy and reverence for both nature and the divine.
We will come full circle to acknowledge again the importance of choosing to feed our inner heartprint. Many spiritual practices, including my own, are the foundation for maintaining a heart-centered life.
I will close out this blog describing one of my daily practices that takes a few seconds. I first focus my attention within the heart area and for extra emphasis I put my hand there as well. I then bring to mind someone I love or appreciate. I feel that energy then breathe in slowly several times; often feeling the still point. I am then connected to an incredibly vast energy flow within the heart space that I believe is a direct line to the universe. I often ask questions of and listen to my heart's whispers; and so appreciate its incredible wisdom.
Each time we choose to live out a decision that leaves a heartprint; we fill our personal and collective energetic fields with love. I feel much gratitude to see others learning this practice, which I believe is truly becoming a world wide revolution. Yes a revolution is upon on us....one of a growing heart centered presence!
I would like to extend to you all much love during this time and heart felt blessings for 2025.
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