On a Personal Note....
I am humbled, fairly often, when I look around at the community surrounding me. I see beauty, wisdom, strength and grace. I feel compassion, regard, encouragement, and support. Though these resources have always been present, I haven't always been able to perceive them....and in those times, because of my blindness, I have made choices based in fear.
Like when I stayed in unhealthy relationships, because I feared the choices I might make to get by financially on my own. Like when I decided not to apply to Graduate School, because my husband pronounced he wouldn't come with me and our children would stay with him if I pursued my education. Like when I stayed in a job that was isolating me and sucking my soul because I didn't believe anyone would help me transition into a balanced life. Like when I enabled otherwise resourceful and productive romantic partners to become dependent upon me financially because I feared being alone. Like when I gave up custody of my children because I bought the lie that my mere existence was the cause of their pain. Like when I refused to open my heart to love, because I believed I was poisonous and anyone who loved me was cursed to want to kill themselves.
These emotional wounds, if I had left them untended, would inevitably fester and attract more disease and dysfunction. Thanks be to God for Her intervention and course correction.... but I was only able to perceive Her Guidance when I got very small and quiet. Thanks be to God for lighting up the healing path, and leading me to become a coach. As an actively practicing Integrative Coach, I regularly use the tool-belt of transformational tools to uncover, own and embrace the unprocessed pain and confusion of my past, so that I can (slow and steady like a turtle) emerge to a new level of emotional health and maturity. I have a tribe of Integrative Coaches around me that reflect back to me the light that I might otherwise disown and project onto others.
I feel humbled, and blessed for the Voice of Faith that is always trying to get my attention, even if sometimes I can barely discern her whisper. She has made it known to me, sometimes in blatant and unflattering terms, when I am off track. Faith says, "Stop resisting! Surrender and flow with your life circumstances. You don't have to know or understand how this is all working out. Stop talking! Resign your self-assigned post as the General Manager of the Universe! Embrace your ignorance... this realm is well beyond your purview. Hush.....!"
It is only when I get really small, curled up as tiny as I can make myself, that I can slowly begin to glimpse fragments of the big picture. Only through profound humility can the doorway to the Divine begin to crack open. One pale thin ray is all the sustenance needed, and suddenly my appetite for the light begins to grow...and I unexpectedly find myself reaching for the day to come. Brimming with hope, with promise, and possibility.
I have found the most security, and consistency, when I surrender to the God voice that says "Go here. Do this". In those frightening times, when I'm guided to step outside of what I know and take a measured risk...doors open, relationships reveal themselves, opportunity knocks, and I begin to flow with my life's circumstances instead of exhausting myself trying to swim upstream. It the Universal Law of Divine Guidance. And it doesn't care what name you call it. It is your partner, and not only is it asking you to dance....but it's asking for you to follow.
- Her Voice said, "Separate from your husband. Go to individual counseling. Go to your 12 step codependency groups. Work on your own stuff, I'll take care of him." And I was scared, but I followed.
- Her Voice said, "Enroll in the Integrative Coach Training program. Let yourself be coached. Do your own work first, and then you will help many others." And I was doubtful and worried, but I followed.
- Her Voice said, "Stop dating. Be celibate for awhile. Go through the Healing Your Heart training, work on giving yourself your own self-love. You deserve to Heal your Heart." And I was frightened of being alone, but I followed.
- Her Voice said, "Go to that UCC church in Silver City. They need you, and you need them. You are not meant to live your life in isolation, but inside of a nurturing community." And I was resistant, but I followed.
- Her Voice said, "Be all of who you are and all of who you are becoming. Share your gifts. Open the circle wide so all can hear your song. Play. Roll up your sleeves and do your own work. Love and let yourself be loved." And I am very scared, but I keep listening and following.
I humble myself before a Power Far Greater than Myself. I am ready to be danced, yet again. I am being told to offer an online coaching group in the near future. That's all I know so far. Maybe it is meant for you or perhaps for someone you know. Maybe it's a group about listening and following, or tapping into Divine Creativity?
Something's coming. I don't know what it is, but it is gonna be great. Stay tuned!
EMPOWERED BODY WISDOM: Heal Body Shame
Growing up, I had a tumultuous relationship with the girl in the mirror. On the one hand, I was fascinated by her, finding her intriguing and beautiful. But in other moments – too many moments – I deemed her body not thin enough, her face not desirable enough, and her overall being just not “good enough” to receive the love I craved. I wish I could tell you that these harsh judgments were mere side effects of adolescent hormones, but sadly, they ran much deeper.
This relationship continued well beyond my tumultuous teenage years, and into my “awakening” years of spiritual seeking and devotional practices. I knew something needed to change. So with eyes wide open, I began to recognize the source of my discontent with my body and self-image, and felt the deep necessity of healing this wound within me so that I could offer my body – my temple, my home – the reverence and adoration it deserved.
But how? I began to study the power of my beliefs, and noticed how they affected my self-perception and insight about the world around me. I could see that my harsh self-judgments reverberated in every corner of my existence and reality, and without fail, attracted difficult challenges into my life. I desperately wanted to free myself from the trap of constant critique, but the illusion and temptation to compare myself to the “perfect woman” was strong, and at times overbearing. After all, everywhere I turned, my sisters were (either consciously or unconsciously) battling the same illusion about themselves.
Learning how to honor my body and take care of my appearance without buying into the myth of a woman’s value being in how she looks was tricky to say the least. And in the process of finding this balance, I would waver between self-neglect and self-obsession. It took a change in perspective, and the courage to take accountability, to authentically start to love my body.
If we look at the current energetics of our world, we can clearly see that masculine and feminine polarities are out of balance, which has led to the devaluing of feminine qualities in most cultures. I have known this for many years, but the change in perspective I needed came when I stopped placing blame on men. This imbalance in our world is far deeper than the “battle of the sexes,” “man oppresses woman,” “man objectifies the female form” scenario.
This energetic imbalance is the root cause of these scenarios, and it inflicts harm on men as well, but to a polar effect. It is something that affects the entire human race– a global wound, so to speak. This imbalance can be clearly seen in the media, and it influences the way both men and women relate to each other, their sexuality, and to their bodies. With these damaging messages so prevalent, how do we rise above the pressure to engage with our bodies in damaging ways?
It took me recognizing that the only way to transform it is to assume responsibility for playing my part in the devaluing of the feminine in our world- as I had actively participated in the devaluing of myself, my emotions, my intuition, my unique shape and appearance. If we view ourselves as spiritual beings living in a body, then we must believe that our body is our temple, our home, and what allows us to live and evolve here on Earth.
Throughout our lives, we develop a relationship with our body temple. If our relationship has been one of criticism and judgment, then most likely there are hard feelings needing to be transmuted. Before we can live beyond the paradigm of self-criticism and body shame, we must assume responsibility, and actively seek our body’s forgiveness for the cruel thoughts, deeds, and in many cases, harsh actions. Once we do this we are able to live in deeper harmony and enjoyment with our bodies and with ourselves despite the temptations to “be better.” We can then become role models for a new way – representatives of a new paradigm of beauty – that is exemplified through the radiance of self-love and love for all. Little by little, we change world. We usher in a new reality for the generations to come.
The most powerful revolution is self-love, which requires radical self-accountability, compassion, and forgiveness. True self-love takes some de-programming. We have been taught to be harsh to ourselves in many cases. Humbly honoring your body as a sacred home, rather than as a mere tool for getting us what we want, is an important step to living an inspired and radiantly happy life.
There is nothing more gorgeous than a woman who loves herself, honors her body, and has forgiven herself for any judgments, harsh thoughts, or harmful actions that her insecurities or self-doubts may have caused her to take. When a woman lives in compassion for herself, she more readily lives as a compassionate and wise light in service of humanity.
This woman is my hero.
This woman is healing the world.
This woman is who I want to be.
This woman is YOU, my sister.
All my love,
Lauren Elizabeth Walsh (and the Global Sisterhood team)
COOL RECIPE
This spinach, broccoli and cheddar frittata recipe is a simple breakfast, brunch or dinner! It’s vegetarian and gluten free. Recipe yields 6 large or 8 more modest slices.
Ingredients
- 8 Organic Cage Free Eggs
- ½ cup milk of choice
- 2 small-to-medium cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- ½ teaspoon sea salt, divided
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 tablespoon Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, more as needed
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- ⅓ cup water
- 2 cups thinly sliced broccoli florets
- 2 cups Organic Baby Spinach, roughly chopped
- ⅓ cup thinly sliced green onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 °F. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, garlic, ¼ teaspoon of the salt and about 5 twists of freshly ground black pepper until well blended. Then whisk in about half of the cheese, reserving the other half for later.
- In a 10-inch, well-seasoned cast iron skillet or oven-safe sauté pan, warm the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is tender and translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add the broccoli and water to the pan, then cover it with a lid (or a baking sheet) and steam the mixture until the broccoli is brighter green and easily pierced by a fork, about 2 to 3 minutes. Uncover, and add the spinach and green onions. Cook, stirring constantly, until the spinach has wilted, about 30 to 60 seconds.
- Arrange the mixture in an even layer across the skillet. Whisk the egg mixture one last time and pour it into the pan. Sprinkle the frittata with the remaining cheese. Put the pan in the oven and bake until you can shimmy the pan by the handle (careful, it’s hot!) and see that the middle is just barely set, about 12 to 15 minutes.
- Once the frittata is done baking, let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing it into 6 large or 8 smaller wedges. Serve immediately. Leftover frittata will keep well, covered and refrigerated, for up to 3 days. Enjoy chilled or gently reheat.
Notes
Make it dairy free: Use a neutral-flavored, unsweetened non-dairy milk and omit the cheese.
Change it up: For a classic broccoli-cheddar frittata, simply omit the spinach. Or, substitute your greens of choice—baby arugula and chard would work well.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Global Sisterhood New Moon Tele-Circle
Tuesday 5/15 @ 1:00 pm PST/2:00 MST/4:00 EST
Our Monthly Theme: Empowered Body: I honor my body as a sacred temple
Click Here to Register and/or receive the recording and bonus exercises
Virus Theater presents:
A Weasel in the Henhouse, or Ladies A'Peril
A Bawdy Melodrama of Good, Evil, & Meteorological Events
Written by Douglas Shelton & the Virus Theater
Performances: May 18th through June 16th
Where?
El Sol Theater
406 N. Bullard Street, Silver City, New Mexico
Tickets are on sale now on line at www.virustheater.com or in person at Yada Yada Yarn, Wednesdays through Saturdays, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Indulge your Womanly Ways at Wheelhouse!
Special Sacred Spa Day for Women, Sat 6/09 from 10am-2pm.
Only $40! Great gift for Mother's Day!
EAT: Delicious organic gourmet lunch and nibbles
PLAY: With your Five Senses (Enjoy Massage, Reiki, Music, Tea and Tarot Readings)
MOVE: Dance, Yoga, and Myssage
When: Saturday, June 9th from 10am-2pm
Where: Wheelhouse (106 N. Texas St.)
Only 20 spots available! For Tickets call: (575)313-2828
CONNECT WITH ME
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendy.spurgeon
Book a FREE 30 minute coaching/mentoring call! I'd love to connect with you. Schedule Here.
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