Items filtered by date: December 2018

Monday, 10 December 2018 10:51

I Don’t Have A Choice……

As we wander through life, navigating the twists, turns and both the smooth and bumpy bits of living, sometimes we are given the opportunity to notice “the signs.”

To be “aware.”

Yesterday, I was given just that.  The opportunity to practice awareness.

The meaning of awareness?

The Merriam-Webster dictionary states that awareness is:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/awareness

Definition of awareness 

the quality or state of being awareknowledge and understanding that something is happening or exists.

Tick.

Many of us do this. We know. We understand. From this perspective.

Many of us “know” and understand that we are living this life and that we do in fact “exist.” That life is happening.

But do we wish to do more than just “exist?”

For me, the answer is an emphatic ‘YES!”

And if I had not been practicing “spiritual awareness” throughout my life, expanding my awareness muscles, I might have missed a wonderful opportunity yesterday.  An opportunity to grow and make an even greater impact in the world.

I DON’T HAVE A CHOICE.

Twice, within fifteen minutes, two different people reflected to me the words, “I don’t have a choice!” Portrayed with extreme determinedness and belief.

“I don’t have a choice.”

Goodness, do I believe that we don’t have choices?  Surely not, that is the one thing Chris and I have expressed to our girls over the years. We always have a choice.  Whether we acknowledge it or not.


And so…….

I was at a market, just packing up from sharing our gorgeous organic garlic with customers.  I spoke to another grower, who was selling lovely veggies and flowers, and I introduced myself with a wish to support each other as humans, as business owners. I initially thought these stall holders were” organic.”  I quickly understood that they were not “organic”, nor had the slightest interest in learning about organics. 

The stall holder said:

“I don’t have a choice, I have to spray chemicals every two weeks.” 

And then, I was going to buy a plant.  One of my favourite plants in the world because of the flowers.  A rose bush. I was impressed as the owners grow the rose bushes from tiny snippets and nurture them.  I almost bought one.  And then I happened to ask if they sprayed the roses?

“Yes. They are sprayed every two weeks.  I don’t have a choice.”

Sad face. Sad face. Sad face.

Initially, you could have knocked me over with a feather, I couldn’t believe that these passionate, wonderful people, could not see that they do have a choice.  That there is another way, possibly many other ways…..

The “me” of times past, would have stayed in the conversation, given my opinions, (which of-course would have been “the right” way), jumped in and set them straight.

I would have said, what about the bees, the chemicals that run off into the waterways, the streams, the rivers, the gorgeous lakes we live on?  What about the workers who are exposed to the chemicals? What about their health and wellbeing?  What about the residuals in the food people are eating? What about? What about? What about?  EEEKKKKKK!

I intuitively placed my heart on my heart and took some deep breaths. Perhaps I looked like a crazy lady, yet I stepped back into my power without sending out too much “bad energy.”

Another reminder that not everyone is on the same bus as I am.

And that maybe that’s ok.

Thankfully, I remembered.  I remembered that I can’t change anyone. I can’t change how they think, feel, understand or express themselves in the world through their work.

And I remembered that it is NOT my business to try and change them.

I remembered that I indeed do have a choice.

A choice in how I express myself in the world.

A choice in how I show up in the world.

A choice to notice the signs, to learn from them and grow.

A choice to practice spiritual awareness.

A choice to breath, allow it to be and shine my own light brilliantly in the world.

A choice to be a leader.  Without judgement, without negativity and without fear.

Spiritual Awareness

I found this definition of “spiritual awareness” by Thoughtco. (see link below.)

https://www.thoughtco.com/spiritual-awareness-1732138

“Spiritual awareness or spiritual awakening is the process by which we begin to explore our own being in order to become whole and reunite our spirits with our physical bodies in a commonality of purpose.”

Perfect.

Because I remembered to practice spiritual awareness, I remembered that it is what I do with that awareness that matters. Not just becoming aware. I challenge myself to move beyond just the awareness, to moving this awareness into action.

And so, I ensure surround myself with people who also wish to practice awareness and are willing take action upon that awareness.

Thank you for being in this group.

For your willingness and openness to grow your awareness muscles and to take action on that awareness.

With infinite love and gratitude,

Christine

Namaste.

The light in me sees the light in you.

Published in Blog