Lifting Up | Finding Light

Seva

This stunning field of flowers next door in Fennville is such an amazing tribute.

It is planted and tended as a memorial for two who left this life far too early.

The family members who facilitate the whole thing graciously share it with all of us. The field is massive. And beautiful. And healing. ​

Time there always puts me in a contemplative mood and returns me to the very definition of Seva, or selfless service. These flowers definitely lead to the collective benefit and gain! Who knows how many lives are impacted and changed because of this beautiful place?  

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“To heal you have to get to the root of the wound
and kiss it all the way up.”
~ Rupi Kaur

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Digging At the Roots
​Ready for Release

Hello, beauties!

Wow! Thanks to ALL who came out last Friday for the Gratitude Gathering at “The Hook.” One of my dear friends texted me afterwards and said, “Michelle, that place is MAGIC!”

Yep. It is. Everything about that night was truly special, and I can’t wait to collaborate with Harvey & Teresa for future offerings.

Of course, my friends, you will be the first to know about additional opportunities to join me in all kinds of magical places! Next up? Summer Solstice Yoga & Sound on Oval Beach with me and Teresa Van Eyk: Wednesday, June 21 @ 7 P.  You can register here.

Last week I encouraged you to join me in  using the Shift & Lift technique as we move in the world. Truth? I have been giving it daily effort, and I LOVE how effective and impactful it is.

As I pattern my brain, my body, and my being to find heart coherence, and extend heart energy to others, I feel more in flow. And, I have greater stores of energy in which to meet the moment.  

Thank goodness! Because with Mike traveling Italy and Greece for the next couple of weeks, Javi and I need all the extra sweetness we can offer ourselves. 🐶♥️😉

As we approach Summer Solstice, I have been gifting myself additional space to investigate within. Last week I told you about a decision I had to make that caused me some pain. For me, this grief and pain has created opportunities to dig into the roots. This digging has not been entirely pleasant, but it has been both instructive and helpful.

At my very first 200-hour yoga teacher training at the Himalayan Institute, my primary teacher, Kia Miller, was talking about setting an intention for every meditation or practice she did. As we all discussed the concept of intention setting, Kia said, “I’ve been working with the same intention for three years.”

Whoa! Every day, for three years, on the same intention?! At that time, I couldn’t imagine what would take SO much commitment and dedication in order to realize?!

She explained her intention is to release herself from judgment. ALL  judgment. Judgment of others. Judgment of herself.

Well, yes. Seems that might take a minute to figure out. 😳

All these years later I feel ready to join in on this effort. Because, as I examine the roots of some of my own suffering, underneath it all I find a common thread. And darned if that thread isn’t judgment.

It’s amazing how QUICK judgment is! It’s as if it POPS IN, cuts right to the front of the line, before anything else can even surface. And, judgment is CLEVER! It wears all sorts of creative costumes. It’s an incredible chameleon, camouflaging itself as a multitude of other emotions.

We are such visual creatures. Using our eyes to quickly assess, so often our quick assessments lead to rapid fire judgments. And, the incessant chatter of our brains seems tireless. Oftentimes the inexhaustible stream is jam packed with witty, quick, harsh criticisms of others AND of ourselves. Ugh!

Even if we don’t say those thoughts aloud, we had the thought. What if instead of judgment, we could experience kindness and connection as our first response? WOW!

So, there you have it. Another layer for my breath by breath practice: releasing myself from judgment. Maybe three years from now I’ll be able to fill you in on how it’s going. 🥰

With love and light,

~ m ♥️

P.S. Have you spent an extended amount of time working on an intention? If so, what was it and how did it go? Drop me a line or shoot me a text. ​