Beloved
To continue with the lessons of life I became aware of as I took swimming lessons. What a metaphor it has been for me and what similarities between water/life.
The fourth lesson is practicing what we have learned so that we will feel more comfortable and confident in our ability to be safe in the water. We went to the deep end, the furthest end of the pool. We were truly pooped by then but proud that we had made it. Life does have the ability to push us to our limits or what we perceive to be our limits. In actuality, by reaching the so called limit, we become aware of our strengths and thus know that we can go much further than we ever suspected.
The fifth lesson: the last one. I had been practicing every day and the problem I had was with the breathing while swimming with my head face down in the water. It was actually the hardest thing for me to do because we are supposed to breathe in the air through our mouths and exhale through our nose. I have been meditating for years and the procedure for that is the complete opposite of what I am being taught now. In meditation, we breathe in through our nose and exhale from our mouth. While swimming, I would get a mouthful of water and panic and then try to breathe in through my nose, thus only getting a noseful of water. After all the practice I had done, I came to a decision. I can swim and I can float. I had absorbed all the lessons except this one so I gave myself permission to do it my way. I keep my head out of the water although I no longer fear putting my head in the water (great feat) and I breathe the way that is natural for me. Life is like that too. Once you learn the basics of something, you then adapt it to being your own signature. We are unique so our signature (way of doing something) is unique and is the true beauty of this world. Our individuality is the key to everything. Do not be afraid to be yourself. I just might find that I will eventually do it both ways depending on what I feel like at the time. I have all my options open yet I will remain true to who I am.
We all need instructors to navigate our way in water/life beginning when we are born. There is no end to becoming more aware of The Great Instructor in whom we can put all our trust.
We are so fortunate to have these beautiful teachers along our path and Abraham/ Esther Hicks bears so much truth that we cannot comprehend it all at one sitting. Here is one that struck me to the core as I was completing the goal I gave myself to learn how to swim.
The reason for desires, goals…for finding those decisions or points of focus, is because they are the life-giving things of the Universe. Without objects of attention, or objects of desire, Life Force does not come through any of us.
—Abraham
Excerpted from the workshop: Silver Spring, MD on April 19, 1997
Our Love,
Esther (and Abraham and Jerry)
Yesterday turned out to be quite an experience and the weather cooperated although heavy rain was predicted. I had never heard of the Buttonwood Farm in Griswold, Ct but they have grown 14 acres of sunflowers. You heard right, sunflowers. This week is the Annual Sunflower Festival and it is a sight to behold. With cooperation form Mother Nature, we were able to take a ride on a wagon to view this amazing sight. As we were getting closer to the area where the sunflowers were, I noticed what looked like sunlight coming through the trees although the sun was not out. They are that bright and sooo beautiful. They have them for sale and the proceeds go to “Sunflowers for Wishes” fundraiser. Also included in the cost of the tour is a donation that goes to the Connecticut Make a Wish Foundation. The young kids were treated to a ride in smaller cars that look like cows which formed quite an unusual train. The kids on our wagon train got to feed hay to the cows that came up to the wagon. Did they enjoy that! Guess what I had also, Sunflower homemade ice cream that was just out of this world. What a treat. AAA Pioneer Valley sponsored the tour where we actually started our day with lobster at George’s of Galilee, a traditional Rhode Island Lobsterboil. It was the first time I have had Rhode Island Clam Chowder made with a clear broth. It is ocean front so I had time to take off my shoes and walk in the sand and ocean for a ways. Like I said, it was an amazingly awesome day.
Have you been feeling like you want to sleep or rest more? I did but I was attributing it to being the summer weather. This article will give another perspective on why you feel that way.
Along that line or along that train of thought. here is another fabulous teacher who gives us a taste of stillness.
Enjoy these warm days of summer and let the joy of just being fill your senses.
—
Love and Light
Mary Grace
http://www.IAmMaryGrace.com
http://www.TheWoundedChalice.com
http://www.waleson5.com/marygrace.html