It’s crunch time. You know that time right before you leave for a long vacation and there are about 1.2 million things to do before you go? Stop the mail. Pay bills that are due while you’re gone. Find someone to water your plants or take care of your pets. Buy things you need for the trip. Laundry. Pack. The list goes on. I found myself between the proverbial rock and hard place this week. The rock being my departure date and the hard place being my towering “to do” list.
In addition, since I will be gone for two weeks, I have been doing my best to accommodate as many requests for sessions as I can before I leave. One day in particular this week felt extremely overwhelming. I said yes to an evening appointment on a day that was already full of sessions. My head wanted more spaciousness in my already overpacked schedule, but for some reason my mouth said yes to this request. Why did I say that?
On the day of the appointment I thought about texting my client (who is also a friend) to cancel, but I just couldn’t do it. That still small voice inside was telling me to honor my commitment, even though my outer voice was screaming for more time to get things done and a night off. I’m so glad I listened to the still small voice. Somehow it always knows best even when it appears to make no sense.
When I arrived, my friend asked me how my day was. I didn’t want to burden him with the details of my overwhelming day, but I also didn’t want to lie and say it was great. I simply said, “I’ve had better” and told him I had a full day of sessions. He proceeded to tell me a story about a pastor who helped him many years ago during one of the most challenging periods of his life. That pastor confided in him that sometimes after hearing so much of other people’s “stuff,” he needed his own counselor. My friend then directly asked me, “So who do you go to, John?”
Gratefully, I have many peers with whom I reflect and seek counsel. However, when he asked me that, I realized what I truly needed that night was some energetic clearing and prayer. I have a trusted friend who does this sort of work, so I reached out to him when I got home later that evening. He called me back and guided me through a beautiful clearing meditation and prayer. How wonderful to simply listen and receive! It was just what the metaphysical doctor ordered. I felt so much better and slept quite soundly and peacefully that night.
It’s so important to take care of ourselves! This is especially true if you happen to be someone else’s caregiver or in a profession where people come to you for care. Take time to get the nurturing you need. It’s not selfish, it’s smart. There’s a reason people say, “You can’t pour from an empty pitcher.” If you don’t fill yourself up first, you’ve got nothing to give anyone else.
I will be traveling the next two weeks to facilitate a workshop in Utah, and then two more workshops at the annual Big Sky Retreat in Montana. Now in its 41st year, this is the longest running metaphysical retreat in the world. This will be my third year facilitating workshops at this retreat, and I couldn’t be happier to be going again. There is a reason this retreat has been around so long. It is a heart-opening, life-changing experience like no other. My pitcher not only gets filled every year, but it expands into a bigger vessel. That bigger pitcher also gets filled, and then it spills over into every area of my life. I strongly encourage you to check out the website and join us from September 3-8 if you can. If you can’t, set your intention to join us next year over Labor Day Weekend. It is one of the best gifts you will ever give yourself. When I return, I will be overflowing with love and light, so that will be a great time to sign up for Life Coaching, attend a Family Constellations Workshop, or schedule a private Family Constellations Session by phone, Skype, or in person. Look around my website for more details.
Until I return, I invite you to allow those crunch times and contractions to move through you quickly, knowing that the glorious expansions are coming next!
P.S. The friend I reached out to is Garrett Jackson, Intuitive Consultant. Please visit Garrett’s website to see all of the great services he offers. Don’t let his youthful appearance fool you. There is insight and wisdom well beyond his years coming through this young man. Thank you, Garrett!
