In Sync

So, what do you call it? Synchronicity? Serendipity? Coincidence? God-Incidence? Fate? Happenstance? Miracles?

Just yesterday, I had the pleasure of chatting with brave and fearless individual who talked to me about being ready to learn from his past, heal from his pain, and give back to others. What an inspiration! He held up his wrist and showed me proof of his readiness and dedication: a bright red bracelet that read, "Enough is Enough." Those of you who are regular readers will know that phrase as the title of my last blog post, and obviously a concept that has been heavy on my heart and my mind lately. I shared that with him, and we marveled together over the synchronicity.

This morning, I found my spirit heavily burdened with the existance of a quite unexpected, unfortunate, and very confusing situation that has befallen my personal life. None of my imternal ruminations or conversations with others have yet been able to yield a solution to this conundrum in which I have found myself! Or much comfort, at that! So searching for a dose of inspiration and uplifting, I opened up my email read my daily "Note from the Universe" (http://www.tut.com/). The words I read were so perfect for my struggles, I want to share them with you here:

          "There are only miracles, Katie, and to one degree or another they all soothe, pamper, and enrich. However, to avoid blowing too many minds at once, some are disguised as unpleasant surprises, botched circumstances, and twisted acquaintances that can rarely be seen for who or what they truly are until the pendulum has fully swung. . . Yes. . . don't I think of everything?     Duck! The Universe"

Whew.

A few hours later, I logged on to http://www.seededbuzz.com/ for a little more inspiration and perhaps some ideas for my next blog post, and I come across a small blurb, what the site builders call a "seed," on synchronicity. WOW! You can read the whole "seed" here http://hopedespitedepression.blogspot.com/2010/11/life-is-filled-with-meaningful.html if you would like. The author beautifully reminds us of the frequency with which life brings us synchronicities, and how, if we are present and mindful of ourselves and our circumstances, we can become aware of these synchronicities as heed them as reminders that we are in the flow (no matter how icky it might feel at the time), that we are being guided and nurtured by our higher power, and that we are all the time becoming  more fully connected to one another and to our highest selves.

All we have to do is open up, let go, and allow ourselves to be refined by our experiences.

These thoughts and realizations, these synchronicities, have given my spirit some peace today. I hope they will provide the same for you.

All the Best,
Katie

Enough is Enough

When I was a little girl, I have fond memories of my grandmother pouring me milk in a little cup. Each time she prepared me a drink, she offered me a little dose of independence by telling me to "say when," once she had poured enough. So, each time she poured, I listened to her words, watched intently, and eagerly shouted, "When!" once she reached the imaginary line in the cup which meant to me that I would have enough.

Inevitably, by the time she reached that imaginary line, I shouted, "When!", and she pulled the milk away, I ended up with way too much.

With milk, it was no big deal. Either I drank it, or I left some in the bottom of the glass.

There are other things in life, however, that can feel like a bigger deal when we end up with way too much.

As an adult, sometimes I struggle with knowing when I need to say "When!" It's often hard to speak up when enough really is enough, especially when it comes to things like work, relationships, other committments, and emotional stressors. Sometimes I wait to late to say "When!" and I end up with more work, more committments, more stress, or more relationships struggles than I am able to manage. Sometimes I fail to stay connected to my body and to my emotions and I miss little cues that tell me to slow down or back off. Other times I hear the cues loud and clear, but fail to listen, either because I am too busy, I judge myself for not being able to handle more, or I forget that I'm important enough to be able to set limits to care for myself.

And then there are times when I listen, I hear, and I speak up. And the milk keeps coming. I know I have had enough and that I don't want anymore stress, work, pain, etc. but it comes anyway. Wow! Those are tough times! Those are times that test my resilience, my ability to care for myself and manage my emotions, and my willingness to accept my own powerlessness.

How about you? What do you struggle with when it comes to saying "When!" Is it your self worth? Your ability to be in tune with your own feelings and needs? Your willingness to have your voice heard? Your disbelief that your voice will be heard and heeded?

Enough for now,
Katie