One of the main focuses of my work is patterns. They are the only thing in life that is unchanging, and today, it feels like everything is changing.
I first developed my interest in patterns during a two-year program that I took as an undergraduate. Western Civilization showed me that over the course of history, there are certain patterns or trends that come and go depending on the thoughts, perceptions, influences and actions of the time.
I can now hear these patterns in language, and it is what helps me support a client’s self discovery process. By listening to the choice of words and the meaning the person gives them, in addition to the cadence, tone, pitch and general quality of speech, I can hear patterns that illuminate beliefs, fears and internal dialogues that are incongruent with what the person wants to be and create in life.
Over the past month, I have spoken with countless individuals who are experiencing quite deep and profound shifts in their lives. The patterns show that they are discovering things about themselves, their environments and their callings that are beginning to force them, in many ways, out of their comfort zones and into the lives they came here to live and create.
As you can imagine, there are challenges that come with this type of growth and “awakening.”
I have witnessed everything from sudden events and awareness that, in an instant, change the entire landscape of a person’s life to extreme issues with health and the body.
During these times, it is more important than ever to lean into self care and compassion. We understand that after a surgery, there will be a time when we’ll need rest and quiet in order to allow the body to recuperate. The same is necessary when it comes to the kind of change and shift that we all, in some form or another, are experiencing.
Sometimes, we may think if we just push through or keep ourselves busy, we will be able to create distraction from what’s happening. I don’t recommend this. We seem to believe that if we can passively wait or fight long enough, the situation will take care of itself or improve. The issue here is that in doing this, we often miss the lesson we are meant to learn, which will allow us to embrace the change that’s coming.
Having a practice of self care and self compassion during these times can allow us to remain open to what we are meant to learn as an active, willing participant in our own life change.
In her article, Practicing Self-Care During Stressful Times, Margarita Tartakovsky offers a great list of considerations for building a self care practice.
What I can say is that the patterns emerging for us as individuals, a culture, a nation and a world are all pushing us to a place of genuine betterment. What’s coming up is what has been holding us back from creating, performing and being at our best.
By finding ways to approach whatever changes you are experiencing with authenticity, compassion, acceptance and grace, I believe you will begin to see and know things that you might not have thought possible.
Hold on, trust and love yourself, above all!
♥ Traci