Stop, Step off, Reflect, Reconnect and Reset.
End of Year Festivities, Christmas and New Year holidays and the ‘long’ summer holidays for those of us in the southern hemisphere are upon us. It is a time of ‘busy-ness’ before the ‘stop’, unwind and then the rewind.
Take a moment to read each of these words.
Stop, Step off, Reflect, Reconnect and Reset.
This is such an important thing to do every year.
Last week I mentioned this to a client who is considering his next role and he also raised the importance of ‘place’ in this process.
Where you are, not just what you do.
A place that inspires you.
I believe that it is important to connect with ‘what’ nurtures your soul, not just your identity.
As mentioned in last months blog “The Courage to Be”, if you are not careful, the role can become your identity. As you take the time to reconnect and reset in the coming weeks, try to consider what you think you want to do, where and how that might be, and not just how others define you and what you should do.
These decisions and considerations are often easier to do when one is in one’s place.
Where you feel a connection to the ‘energy’. Where you feel at ‘one’, or in the flow.
My place.
I experienced this connection in Kanazawa, Japan in mid November. It was like I had come ‘home’. And, in a way, I had. I lived and worked in Japan for three and a half years in the early ‘80’s and revisited for work numerous times over the years. It is a place where I felt completely aligned. A soul connection if you like. I certainly feel nurtured there – even in densely populated Tokyo.
In November, Kanazawa is in full Autumn bloom. The Maple trees are resplendent in their orange red hues, mountain in the near distance and lush green forests nearby.
Beautiful mountain streams and rivers. Cool temperate days. Perfect for me.
I was drawn to Kanazawa all those years back for those reasons – it is my energy place. It was certainly ‘off grid’. No Shinkansen, for speed to transport, in those days. It was a long haul over the mountains – and fewer tourists as well.
When one finds that connection to a place, it is generally due to a connection to the energy. Following an incredibly busy and challenging year, I knew I needed to step off, to recharge,.
Kanazawa is a place that I just knew where to go to find that ‘quiet’ space.
• A place where I could step off.
• A place where my inspiration and ideas flowed (after I recharged).
What environment nurtures you?
For myself, it is important to connect with nature – trees, mountains, streams, lakes and even wild seas. Governors Bay in New Zealand is another place, as is Akaroa, possibly Banks Peninsula at large, plus Lake Wanaka near the Southern Alps.
These are places that nurture me, bring me ‘home’ so to speak.
Others have different criterion. Some love busy cities like Paris, or New York and others love beaches, or deserts.
It matters not.
What is important is that you connect to the place that nurtures your soul.
Angeles Arrien used to say:
“We are drawn to different environments for a reason.
If we are drawn to the forest, or trees, we are looking to become rooted and contained – flexible and bending in the wind, yet stable. Like a tree we are honouring the past, present and future from season to season.
If we are drawn to the desert, we are looking to connect to the mystery of who we are, to actualise the fullness of our life dream, and to give voice to what we see – in essence our authentic self.
If the beach and wild seas are calling us, then it is a desire to call forward the power of silence, wisdom, and guidance.
And then there are the mountains – majestic and powerful – tapping into our innate power.“
As I said, it matters not your preference, although there could be something or someone guiding your choice. It is important to find your place to:
Stop, Step off, Reflect, Reconnect and Reset.
Start the New Year with the ‘right’ energies aligned, that are going to nurture your soul, support you to Stand Tall, and focus on who and how you want to BE.
Spend time in that place that enables you to do this. It can be somewhere you go on a daily basis, at weekends or longer.
Time in mother nature is very healing, and at the end of a year, we all need some of this.
• What is your place?
• How does it support you to BE?
• What are you working on in your deeper sense of self?
Next month I will share my experience of being in another of my ‘soul’ places to stop, reconnect, realign and reset.
I wish you a safe and reenergising holiday time.
Be still and grow.
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