Each day I learn and grow deeper into myself, and it is beautiful. Do you sit in the canoe on the surface of the lake and wish you could dive into the depths of your own heart?
This month, I hosted three gatherings at the local libraries where I have set up an aging well exploration group. January was so successful in so many ways and I am eager to see what February brings. In January, we met for the first time and my 12 new friends came together as strangers and yet are now grouped together in spirit. Some have not met and yet they are tethered, connected in ways they have yet to discover. It is a beautiful way for me to learn about what I can do to help others find their way into a better life, a more settled existence and “teach” about spiritual care.
What is “spiritual care”? I am so glad you asked! It is an art of caring for one’s soul or spirit. We are all spiritual beings having a human experience (Telliard) and the sooner we realize this the happier our life will be. I have asked the question, “how is your spirit?” and have had people look at me like I have two heads. They are unaware they even have a spirit and are even more aware they can listen to it, work with it and partner with it in life.
For my whole life I have talked to myself, out loud. I thought I was weird and hid it from the world. I was little and remember chattering away out loud. My mother always told me I talked way too much, little did she know how much I talked when she was not listening. I seemed to have a friend (I never identified it as an invisible friend) I just knew when I talked, I could answer and felt comforted by this. I now realize as I have aged, this voice I was hearing in my head is my spirit or my soul. My deep inner intuition, that which guides me and keeps me connected to the divine source of all things.
I am reading a book, Grow a New Body and today read about the story of Buddha. His journey from a young boy, privileged and financially secure, to the person who is respected as the leader of a world religion. A beautiful coming of age and terms with how we are sheltered by well-meaning sources in our lives from the suffering of the world. It touches me deeply and speaks to the voice in my heart, that place where I have conversed with for so many years. While it is only a page or two in a larger context, I am reminded how life is about suffering and chaos and the more we ignore and try to find order the more we suffer. Sounds harsh and yet it is the key to enlightenment.
As I write, I look out the door of my room toward the east. Each day when I wake up the room is very dark and I can see the light of the window across the hall around this door. Some days it is illuminated with light as if in opening it I will walk the Hollywood hallway into my death. Someday’s it is just barely lit and through this winter season the light has risen a wee bit earlier each day. Encouraging me to get up and open the door. The East is the doorway to the rising sun. “In the East we discover that life offers us a second chance.”
The Eagle vision helps us to soar above seeing the greater picture while having the ability to hone in on sustenance in the depths below with precise vision. Each day I am blessed to be facing the east upon rising and take each day as a reminder to begin again, fresh, shedding the past into the south, stealthily moving through fear in the west and then finding my place in the stillness of the hummingbird in the North.
Are you on a journey that is taking you to wellness? We are all on a journey it just depends on the road we choose as to whether it is life giving or poor aging. I want to help anyone who wants to age with more happiness and health. That said I had better get ready to go to group! Enjoy your day, look to the east and with the rising sun know today is a new day. Let go of the past, embrace the moments and plant seeds for the future.
Blessings and joy upon you and yours!
Cynthia Breadner is a teacher, author, grief specialist and bereavement counsellor; a soul care worker and offers specialized care in spiritually integrated therapies. She lives and works in the Bradford West Gwillimbury area as a LTC chaplain assisting with end-of-life care for client and family. She is the mother part of the #DanCynAdventures duo and practices fitness, health and wellness. Her book, In Stillness – Short stories from a life well lived is a compilation of her work and available from Nancy’s Nifty Nook and Health Food Store downtown Bradford. She is available remotely by safe and secure video connections, if you have any questions contact her today through [email protected] or breakingstibah.com.
