Can you trust the goodness of life, your ever-evolving body of wisdom, your ability to adapt, pivot, reframe, shift, adjust, swim, and create? You are still here. You must’ve figured some stuff out.
-Excerpt from Abundant Heart: Thoughts on Healing, Loving, and Living Free
For the last several days, I’ve participated in a class called “Flirting with the Universe” which I’m enjoying immensely. I continue to experience greater spaciousness for my soul and being with curious questions including “Universe, what gifts will you bring me today?” and “What can be one of my greatest love offerings to myself and others?”
I pay rapt attention to the sunshine shimmering on the lake, the cold air waking up my body as I run with lungs expanding, contracting rhythmically on another winter day here in the mountains. I know the water I drink, the air I breathe, the cozy socks on my feet, the tangy, sweet, cold, crunchy savory flavors, and the textures of the foods I eat all remain miracles in this experience of being alive. I celebrate these many magnificent gifts.
However, a few days ago, I did not pay attention. My vehicle bumped into an older gentleman’s fancy sports car when I pulled out of a parking space. I breathed deeply while feeling centered and calm. I took full responsibility and ended up having a delightful interaction with this stranger, who began to feel like a new friend.
Not once during or after this experience did the voice in my head berate, demean, or shame me. My inner critic, Cruella, had vacated the premises. She probably delighted herself at a week-long spa complete with indoor swimming, yoga classes, and a facial. I realized she’s mostly been missing from my life. Kind of like a rejected frenemy, Cruella knows the inner curious one, Cecilia, gets most of my attention nowadays. Cruella also recognizes Inner Quiet Charlotte, the witness of Laura and Laura’s life, takes up an immense amount of sunlit space. Cruella loathes being out in broad daylight. Cecilia adores smiling with utter delight at her daily discoveries with the silent assistance of IQ Charlotte while looking at the Carolina blue sky and white clouds.
The Universe continues to offer many gifts to you each day of your precious life. Even when you might initially not see a life circumstance as a treasure, you possess the power to become curious about everything life is showing you about being human. Your body, being, mind, and soul are quite miraculous.
What if instead of an inner critic you cultivated an inner curious one who wonders about so many ideas and experiences? What if you expanded your version of a Witness Self? What if this became the ultimate adaptation to living with greater peacefulness no matter what happens?
You do recognize a lot of things are going to happen between now and when your breath exits your body. Being able to welcome, even embrace, life experiences, whatever these may be, allows you to experience a certain richness of life. Rather than resist you can respond and flow. Adaptability can become one of your greatest strengths and love offerings to yourself and others in the ever-changing world of life on planet Earth.
The founder of Cherish Your World, Laura Staley passionately supports people thriving by guiding them to a holistic transformation of space, heart, and life. Laura is the published author of four books including Live Inspired which reveals the brave and deep work of self-discovery and her new book of short writings and poetry Abundant Heart: Thoughts on Healing, Loving, and Living Free where with her characteristic grace and candor, Laura shares thoughtful-sometimes comical reflections on healing, loving and living free as inspirational pathways for experiencing a soul-centered, fulfilled life.
