02 Oct October: Soul work

To create anything on earth, effort is needed. Friction is required to light the spark that creates fire, risks must be taken to build relationships and commitment requires our dedication even when inconvenient.  Even actions as simple as saying “hello” to someone on the street or returning and email can be uncomfortable on days we’d rather not show up to the world, and while I am a believer in the power of rest, I also believe in saying yes to what stirs the deepest part of you. This can feel like work because it’s not always easy to create the life we are hoping for. To move forward on our path, effort is required.

How do you know when you are in tune with the kind of responsive action that animates your soul? How do you feel the difference between what is pulling away from what you are here to do and what is moving you closer, when they both feel like bloody hard work. In my writing class yesterday, my teacher reminded us that the point when you want to give up and turn back is often when you know your effort is working! If doing that which brings you joy was easy; whether it be parenting, botany, or pursuing a creative life, everyone would do it.

It’s not supposed to be easy, but the friction and discomfort you go through should be less important than what you desire. Do you long to create a heathy family, or learn how to paint? Can you not get singing in a choir out of your head or long to travel? How badly do you want that thing? Are you willing to face the discomfort of making the vision into reality?

To make something manifest we must do the work to get our creative vision out of our heads, and into the world. It’s vulnerable, risky and requires that you actually DO something. The work must feel real, embodied and in reciprocal relationship with the world.

It can feel daunting to begin if we doubt we have the stamina to sustain us. Luckily, this radical self awareness doesn’t come all at once, but in bursts and spurts. We are beckoned forward one step at a time. Thats all we need to attend to—this moment at hand, that person in front of you, the quality of your breathing when things feel sticky.

This is a month of becoming.

Innocence is what we allow

to be gifted back to us

once we’ve given ourselves away.

There is one world only,

the one to which we gave ourselves

utterly, and to which one day

we are blessed to return.

~David Whyte

If you have made the secret vows to your heart that this life is meant to be lived in all its shattered brilliance, you cannot fail however many times you are brought to your knees.

This month take small steps that feel possible, one day at at time and trust your inner nudges knowing they are prompts from the divine as we choose the work that illuminates the soul.

With love,

Jacqui