Archive

Mar 15

Hiking in the Rain: Going Past My Comfort Zone

Posted in: Animals, Beauty, Hiking, journey, Joy, Life, Nature, Openness, Seasons, Trust | Comments Off on Hiking in the Rain: Going Past My Comfort Zone Tags: , , , , , —

A couple weeks ago, I had planned to hike on a Thursday morning with a friend I hadn’t seen in months. We were looking forward to being together and venturing into one of my favorite forests at nearby Huddart Park. The forecast was for rain – not just a little drizzle. Did we want to venture beyond our comfort zone, even if it was pouring?

I was game, and so was she – what an adventure! Going outdoors brings me great joy, but there’s always an element of being uncomfortable. Will I get muddy? Will my new rain pants truly hold up? What if I slip and fall? How about the cold? Being in nature mirrors to us the fact that life is unpredictable and uncomfortable sometimes.

We met up and drove together through the windy road to the park entrance, then on to the grassy field near the trailhead. On with the jackets, hiking books, and mittens (yep, it was chilly!), and off we went into the redwood forest. Continue Reading »

Jul 20

What I Learn From Fear

Posted in: Courage, Fear, True Self, Trust | Comments Off on What I Learn From Fear Tags: , , , , , , —

I have a confession to make – I have struggled with the fear of flying for over 12 years, since the birth of my daughter. Seems that bringing a new being into the world and being responsible for her created a deeper reverence for life… and an intensified fear of death.

For many years, I avoided flying at all costs. If I had to fly, my palms would break out into a cold sweat anytime we came upon even mild turbulence. I’d shiver and white knuckle my way through it, trying to hide any signs from my daughter if she was with me.

But after several years of being limited to the ground, the mental and physical decline of my mother on the east coast necessitated more visits – and more flights. It was time to deal with my fear of flying head-on. Continue Reading »

Apr 05

Spring – and Grace – Will Arrive

Posted in: Faith, Patience, Perception, Practice, Seasons, Trust | Comments (2) Tags: , , , , —

It’s spring, and I’ve returned to my practice of sitting outside upon rising. Most mornings, just as the sun peeks over the trees behind my neighbor’s house across the street, I go outdoors and sit for a few minutes. My hot tea in hand warms me as I sip, holding both hands around the mug. I feel the firm earth beneath me, supporting me on my journey through the day. It is a time that I attempt to quiet my mind and listen to Spirit speak to me through nature.

Some days, the juncos are busy scavenging for seeds; others I just hear the hidden birdsong of others breeds hidden in the oaks trees and pine needles above. Often, a black squirrel will scuttle along the top of the fence, his super-highway to the yard nextdoor. This is my favorite time of the year to be doing this practice, as I can see the changes that spring brings almost from day to day. I watch our California poppies change from just 3 blossoms to 8 in 24 hours.

I ask for a message, some guidance, from the Divine, and then wait. It’s not that I expect something magical and stupendous to occur. It’s more that I wait for my perception to be guided to what I need to see in order to receive my message. Continue Reading »

Apr 08

The Not-So Patient Patient

Posted in: Control, Patience, Trust | Comments Off on The Not-So Patient Patient Tags: , —

patient_conniehabash_counseling_psychotherapy_yoga_spiritualityIt’s been 4 weeks now that I’ve been dealing with this. The first two weeks were a sinus infection; the last two have been an ear infection. Everyday, I wake up and wonder when my ears will feel normal again, and when I’ll hear clearly out of my left ear.

Sometimes when things aren’t going as I expect, I start to get a little panicky. When will it be healed? Is it OK? Is there something wrong? Should I be concerned that it hasn’t healed yet? I’m not the most patient patient.

We all want to be in control. We want to KNOW what is happening, and how long. But as I have learned lately (again), we can’t always know. Sometimes, we just have to be patient.
Continue Reading »

Mar 14

Awakening of Gratitude

Posted in: Acceptance, Appreciation, Challenges, Gratitude, Healing, Patience, Trust | Comments (2) Tags: , , , , , —

HMB 1I was lying on a treatment table at my acupuncturist’s office, with a painful ear infection. I had felt mentally, emotionally, and energetically better since the first treatment two days ago, but the ears continued to feel blocked, and I still was spitting up yellow phlegm.

Nalinee, my acupuncturist, talked about how much my energy field had improved. In her Thai accent, she reminded me of the power of the mind, and how harnessing that would facilitate healing.

I knew that, of course, but had been humbled. I had been struggling with my emotions for several days, feeling fearful and sometimes depressed, and had not been able to make the full shift in my consciousness to a true healing mentality. I wasn’t practicing what I knew. Continue Reading »

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