Listening with Compassion to the Human Spirit
Thoughts by Shawn
“New Beginnings”
I love how a series of synchronistic events is seemingly drawn to my pathway – sometimes glaringly unmistakable, shaking up my human capacity to right off, rationalize, or even ignore the common theme. Having just experienced a luscious and inspiring healing session at Hawthorn, many more events fell into place like stones of a new foundation for creativity, growth, and balance. In my therapy session the practitioner was able to help me connect with my Divine source of power and strength, remind me to honor my own transitions in life, as I honored the growth and awakening power and independence of my teenage children. It seemed the Divine moved through her as she brought attention to the weary areas of my body which called out for love and attention. The message for me was one of embracing elegant growth and balance and developing a new organizational form within my body and life. It incorporated the organizational power of an emperor guiding my new development, and surrendering to that change with the stately grace, wisdom and nurturing beauty of the queen within me. It called me to open myself to the lightning bolt of inspiration, change and renewal, and in not fearing change, to honor the seed – the active force inside my vessel, unseen and gestating. We remembered together that new ritual was important in bringing regular attention, focus, honor and blessing to the changes occurring, and we agreed on some wonderful new simple daily reminders to bring the sacred into my routine. Her enthusiasm and free-flowing joy for connecting me with my inner wisdom and powers of healing was welcome and I felt renewed and refreshed.
The next day, it so happens, I gathered with the greater Hawthorn provider community to VISION together. We spent a full day luxuriating in each other’s company and inspiration, laughing more than I can remember for some time. Dr. Josh and Chelsea, directors of HHAC, brought in a facilitator, Dan, to help us connect with our deepest, truest glimmers of life’s perfection. We shared with each other personal moments of grace in our lives when we felt empowered, honored, trusted, loved, and were able to use our gifts to serve others in an effortless, freely appreciated and joyous way. It was touching to learn more about each other, in a more organic, precious and spacious way. There was time to laugh, celebrate, and redefine the elements of a thriving, purposeful community of providers who know WHY they do what they do, and can’t wait to bring their wisdom and experience to the greater community. The theme of COMMUNITY and NATURE and JOY repeated itself, and we saw how each of us thrills in the world of expression through teaching, creating, healing, singing, making music, dancing, breathing, moving, being in nature, honoring and serving others, loving ourselves and making deep rich friendships and relationships based on mutual trust and understanding. We realized how important being part of something greater than oneself was, and that the collective inspiration, creativity, enthusiasm, and vision of our little Hawthorn group could change the world we live in. There were a few tears as we closed our group gathering with gratitude for all we have and all we wish to offer. We decided that we were all about “learning and living vivacious self-care” as an expression of our mission: “We are meant to live inspired lives, to cultivate our deeper gifts and to know a sense of peace and joy within ourselves.” Most of all we love that our clients are part of the Hawthorn Community, and we rededicated ourselves to fostering that community feeling.
I went to gather with my spiritual community on Sunday, and it was a beautiful ceremony to honor and send off a young man who was called to reach out in service and was taking a position to vision and develop a sacred community for the “none-zone” or folks who claim no religion, spiritual community or practice. I felt tears flow from my heart as I saw the love with which the community said “fare well” to this gentleman, thanked him, blessed him, and “envisioned” for him a dream of endless possibilities supported and guided by the Divine. Yet another situation where stepping out to create a new beginning was being embraced!
As part of my new commitment to connect to nature every day, and to create daily sacred ritual of being alive, I took a hike down to the Deschutes River Trail and found myself supported by a huge bolder which overlooked the free-flowing laughing waters of the river before me. The steep rock cliffs of the canyon seemed to “hold a sacred and safe space” for those who walked and biked nearby. I closed my eyes, listened to the roar of the river and felt it wash away any concerns or cares. As time disappeared and peace and joy filled my being, I was beckoned back by the birds, and sounds around me, hidden under the roar of the water. I wandered away from the shore, up to the trail and said hello to two mutual admirers of the mild Spring weather on a January day. The gentleman told me, “I meditate too, I used to do yoga but I’m too old and stiff now.” I thought later that he was still doing yoga – he was in nature, breathing in life, connecting with what gave him joy, and finding a sense of peace in a busy world. He was caring for himself, and his friend. She told me, “you are just radiating!” I could feel it and how my smile opened my heart to the world. So much to be grateful for, so many new adventures and creations to explore, so many new beginnings when we give thanks, and capture the possibility of each new day. Daily – a chance to care for ourselves and others, to honor the change and growth in life, and to find ways to serve others in inspiring, and cultivating their gifts, and finding a sense of peace and joy. Deepest blessings and joy to you – our Hawthorn community!